New Zealand MMA fighter Hakaraia Wilson passes on.

New Zealand’s promising MMA fighter Hakaraia Wilson is dead, police have said to several local news outlets. He was just 26 years old.

In a statement shared to the media, police said the sudden death was at an address in Gisborne on the morning of January 1. The death was not being treated as suspicious, police said.

Wilson was in Gisborne to attend the annual New Year’s music festival called Rhythm and Vines, Te Ao Māori News reported from the city that sits on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island.

Details regarding the cause of death were not revealed.

Wilson had his amateur debut in 2020 and boasted a 4-3 professional record in MMA, according to the fight statistics site Sherdog. His last bout was in October in Bali, Indonesia, where he defeated Mark Alcoba of the Philippines in a fight night at Canggu.

The grieving martial arts community took to tribute on his death.

“The Oliver MMA gym in Auckland posted, “It is with great sadness that we announce to you the passing of a true pillar in our family and our community our brother, Hakaraia Wilson.”

“Haks, your legacy lives on in each of us in your smile, your laughter, your warmth, and your warrior spirit. Rest easy in knowing that your time here, though far too short, left a mark that will never fade,” it added.

“Rest easy young warrior, forever in our hearts,” posted the Soma Fight Club in Canggu. “We will carry you with us into battle always.”