Shawn Tompkins dead at 37

Former professional fighter and renowned mixed martial arts trainer Shawn Tompkins has passed away today (Aug. 14, 2011) at the age of 37.

Tompkins is survived by Emilie Stout, sister of UFC lightweight Sam Stout, and is perhaps best known for working with UFC fighters Chris Horodecki, Mark Hominick, Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva, among others.

The Canadian combat guru got his start as assistant -- and eventual head coach -- of the Los Angeles Anacondas under the International Fight League (IFL) banner back in 2007.

Tompkins would spend two years as a trainer at Xtreme Couture before migrating to the TapouT Training Facility in late 2009.

Details on his passing are still pending and we will have more on this unfortunate news in just a bit.