Former Bellator and PFL fighter Jordan Young has died.
While a cause of death is unclear, Young died at 27, his boxing coach Derik Santos announced Saturday. The news was confirmed Sunday by Young’s home gym, American Top Team, as well as the most recent promotion he competed in, PFL, on social media.
Young went 12-2 as a professional mixed martial artist from the time of his debut in 2014. Ten of his 11 wins came inside the distance. In January 2017, Young signed with Bellator, where he entered the national spotlight. He fought seven times for the promotion and went 6-1, including five straight submission finishes.
One of the promotion’s top prospects, Young voiced unhappiness with inactivity and ultimately parted ways with Bellator following his first career loss against future light heavyweight title challenger Julius Anglickas.
For his next move, Young joined PFL. In 2021, he competed twice for the promotion. Although he lost his promotional debut against UFC alum Tom Lawlor, Young made his mark on PFL with a memorable comeback knockout and upset over another former UFC fighter, Omari Akhmedov, in October.
Young touched many in the South Florida MMA community and beyond, with numerous tributes posted online in the wake of his death. Check out some of those posts below.
American Top Team
It’s with a heavy heart, we have learned about the passing of our teammate Jordan Young. Our team is shocked and deeply saddened by this news. A great teammate, he will be deeply missed by all of us.
Thoughts and prayers to his family. RIP to this warrior 🙏
— American Top Team (@AmericanTopTeam) December 19, 2021
Adam Hunter
RIP Jordan Young. Amazing fighter and a great guy. Gone way too soon. pic.twitter.com/RnyJe5H7YV
— MMA Roasted (@MMARoasted) December 19, 2021
Boxing coach Derik Santos
Dyah Davis
Paulie Gloves
Darius Flowers
Gleidson De Jesus
Darion Abbey
Mike Brown
Thiago Santos
RIP 💔🙏🏾
— Thiago Marreta (@TMarretaMMA) December 19, 2021
PFL MMA
PFL is saddened to learn about the passing of Jordan Young. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family during this tragic time. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/PsPAyOxy2y
— PFL (@PFLMMA) December 19, 2021
Jillian DeCoursey
Too young. Very sad https://t.co/R83Bn3aPFh
— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) December 19, 2021
S&C coach Phil Daru
Colin Broderick
Steve Montgomerey
😭what the hell?! @2checkfighter you will be missed. I wish we could have had more time to train together and become better friends. https://t.co/a7e5RRT0tP
— TheCreepyWeasel. (@WeaselSteve) December 19, 2021
Scott Askham
No way! Rip Jordan. Top guy. I still have his Tyson book he borrowed me 😢
— scott askham (@scottaskham1) December 19, 2021
Tom Lawlor
RIP Jordan Young. https://t.co/uDRcOWpWFX
— FILTHY (@FilthyTomLawlor) December 19, 2021
Krzysztof Jotko
Caposa
Tragic. RIP Jordan Young. https://t.co/g0daxtpoP8
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 19, 2021
Fabian Edwards
rip brother , we was meant to link up and put some work in , rest easy https://t.co/uOErxlSmBn
— The assassin (@fabianedwards24) December 19, 2021
James Gallagher
Rip jay! Top guy 👑 🤛🏼 https://t.co/j8qOy3KniG
— james gallagher (@StrabanimalMMA) December 19, 2021
Josh Neer
Tyler Diamond
Prayers to Jordan & his family. 🙏🏻 https://t.co/EXV3MnQXtX
— Tyler Diamond (@TylerD1amond) December 19, 2021