As Mike Goldberg respectfully noted on tonight’s UFC on Versus 5 broadcast, renowned MMA trainer Shawn Tompkins has passed away.

Several media outlets, including MMA Junkie and MMA Fighting, have confirmed the news with independent sources.

According to MMA reporter Mike Straka, Tompkins was in Canada with his brother-in-law and student Sam Stout and featherweight contender Mark Hominick at the time of his death. Details are scarce, however MMA Junkie is hearing Tompkins died in his sleep this morning.

Veteran lightweight John Gunderson today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Tompkins “didn’t wake up,” but he was still unclear on the details surrounding his passing.

An autopsy to determine the cause of death is currently pending.

Tompkins was best known for his time at Xtreme Couture where he served as one of the gym’s lead trainers and cornered Randy Couture for several fights. Tompkins left Xtreme Couture in 2009 to start his own team at the TapouT training facility in Las Vegas. He has coached some of the most recognizable names in the sport including Randy Couture, Vitor Belfort, Forrest Griffin, Gina Carano, Gray Maynard, Tyson Griffin, Sam Stout, Mark Hominick, Chris Horodecki and many more. Moreover, he was a great friend and caretaker to many fighters, some of which he shared his house with while they trained.

He will be greatly missed by the entire MMA community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.

Image via Dave Mandel for Sherdog