Hominick On Tompkins' Legacy 15 Years After Death

Former UFC featherweight title challenger Mark Hominick is keeping Shawn Tompkins' coaching philosophy alive fifteen years after the Canadian MMA pioneer died of a heart attack at 37.

Tompkins trained Hominick from the fighter's teenage years and coached several notable names including Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva before his sudden passing in August 2011. He received a posthumous World MMA Awards Lifetime Achievement Award months later.

Hominick Recalls Tompkins' Magnetic Presence

Speaking on BetOnline's The Fight Guys podcast, as reported by BJ Penn.com, Hominick described the qualities that made Tompkins unforgettable. "His charisma. Like to me, I started when I was about 16, and I had already been training Martial Arts and competing... his charisma and his bleached, blonde hair, California sun-looking guy and you were drawn to him," Hominick said. "When you were in a room with him, you felt special."

The former title challenger recalled bleaching his own hair after his first weekend training with Tompkins. He credited the coach's personality with opening doors for the entire team, noting promoters and fans gravitated toward him.

Hominick now trains the next generation of fighters using methods he learned from Tompkins. He told the podcast that Tompkins left a lasting impression on everyone he met, adding that the team always had fun and left their mark wherever they went.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — UFC legend Mark Hominick carrying coach Shawn Tompkins’ legacy 15 years after tragedy