UFC employee Derek Thompson’s death sparks tearful tributes that shock industry

Derek Thompson, a UFC worker beloved by many for his work ethic and human qualities, has sadly handed away. He’s 40 years outdated.

Thompson’s sudden dying shocked the UFC world and triggered an outpouring of tributes from everybody who knew and liked him.

The UFC introduced his dying in a publish shared on social media and in a tribute clip aired in the course of the newest occasion in Edmonton. The reason for dying has not been disclosed.

“We misplaced two members of our UFC household this week. Our hearts exit to the Thompson and Kelly households throughout this troublesome time.

This week we misplaced two members of the UFC household.

Our ideas are with the Thompson and Kelly households throughout this troublesome time. pic.twitter.com/eFBqC3eCZd

— UFC (@ufc) November 3, 2024

Derek Thompson was born in Miami in 1984. hyannis Massachusetts. Based on the memorial left by Thompson, he was a hard-working, devoted and excellent UFC behind-the-scenes manufacturing worker. UFC on-air expertise Megan Olivi stated in her speech that he’s diligent {and professional} as they fly world wide for a number of UFC occasions. Olivier added that she loved their time collectively they usually typically ate and sang collectively.

She wrote: “It is laborious to seek out phrases to explain the lack of these two individuals. Derek was our Gentile big. We flew to loads of occasions collectively. We quoted old-fashioned lyrics and I attempted to persuade him to return to Pilates, Irrespective of which metropolis we had been in, we all the time shared some scrumptious meals.

Former boxer Michael Bisping shared one other gorgeous tribute, saying of Miami-born Thompson: “Derek was all the time a smile and a supply of heat. RIP. My coronary heart goes out to all of you buddies, household What a tragic day with the UFC household.

Ariel Helwani, Daniel Cormier and different business figures paid tribute to Thompson. He can be remembered for his heat smile, work ethic and personable allure.

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Ariel Helwani, who spent a few years within the UFC earlier than falling out with Dana White, additionally praised Derrick. He praised him as a particular and comfortable soul, a “good man” who was all the time lending a serving to hand to others.

“Derek was a really particular soul. At all times comfortable. At all times smiling. At all times keen to help. An actual pleasure to work with. Only a nice man. Shocked to listen to the information. My condolences to him My sincerest condolences from household and buddies 🙏” Helwani wrote.