Shawn Tompkins 1974-2011

The mixed martial arts community is mourning the loss of renowned trainer Shawn Tompkins, who passed away in his native Canada. He was 37.

A former kickboxer who also fought a handful of MMA fights, Tompkins took those skills to the gym, where he became one of the top Muay Thai trainers in the game. But the popular and always accessible trainer from Ontario may be best remembered for turning his homegrown trio of UFC vets Mark Hominick and Sam Stout and WEC vet Chris Horodecki into world-class fighters.

Before his challenge for Jose Aldo’s UFC featherweight title at UFC 129 in April, Hominick who called his team “family,” described the bond between the four, saying, “He’s the reason why we’re here, we know that, and we’re always going to be together because of that unity he’s created. You kinda look at the guys who gym jump a lot, and it frustrates me because loyalty is a big thing, it’s a big thing in our camp, and it’s a big thing in a lot of our victories.”

R.I.P. Coach