Shawn Tompkins R.I.P.

[ArmyofDarkness]

Shawn Tompkins, a mixed martial arts trainer known for guiding the careers of several accomplished fighters, passed away Sunday in Canada. The cause of his death is unknown. Tompkins was 37 years old.

Tompkins is survived by his wife, Emilie, who confirmed her husband's death late Sunday night.

"Unfortunately I'm in Las Vegas and he's in Canada," she said. "I'm hearing through my family and his family that he didn't wake up this morning. They're going to do an autopsy tomorrow, so we don't know any of the actual details. But from what we do know, he passed away in his sleep."

Tompkins was known for molding young fighters like Sam Stout, Mark Hominick and Chris Horodecki into crisp, technical strikers. He started with Stout when the lightweight was just 16. Stout became Tompkins' brother-in-law after the trainer married Emilie. The couple moved to Las Vegas from London, Ontario, Canada, in 2007.

Tompkins' mentor Bas Rutten, a former UFC heavyweight champion, told ESPN.com he spoke to his friend on Saturday evening.

"Shawn is one of my best friends, one of the best if not the best striking coaches on the planet, and I mean this," said Rutten, who made the blond-haired Canadian the head coach of an International Fight League team in 2007. "He always put his students and friends before him, would do anything for them."

"He texted me late last night, telling me he loved me," Rutten said, "so thank God I called him to tell him it was mutual."

http://espn.go.com/mma/story/_/id/68625 ... ies-age-37

Sounds like something fishy, I mean why text Bas he loved him the night before he is found dead?

RIP

[Keithlewis]

R.I.P.

37 is way too young.

[Keithlewis]

There is a guestbook for condolences and such and a memorial fund:

Shawn "The Coach" Tompkins
March 16, 1974 - August 14, 2011
Please leave your message, and thank you for your kind words...

http://www.ultraguest.com/sign/1313430810


Also, those interested in donating to his memorial fund should contact a representative at TeamTompkins@ShogunMMA.com.

[broncofan]

Did they release any information yet?

[Keithlewis]

[NWOWolfpack]

I talked with Shawn several times...............great guy and coach and when I talked with Randleman earlier this week everyone was still in shcok. Sucks to lose a guy/coach like that at such an early age.