The MMA fighter died over New Year’s in New Zealand, just months after his last fight
Rachel McRady is a Digital News Editor at PEOPLE. She has been an entertainment journalist for more than a decade, previously working for E! News, Entertainment Tonight, and Us Weekly.
Published on January 2, 2025 08:50AM EST
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The MMA community has lost a young talent.
Hakaraia Wilson, an MMA fighter from New Zealand, has died at age 26, according to multiple outlets including Te Ao News and The New Zealand Herald.
According to Te Ao News, Wilson was in Gisborne, New Zealand, at the time of his death for the Rhythm and Vines Festival. Police told the outlet that they attended to a “sudden death” on Wednesday, Jan. 1.
“The death is not suspicious and has been referred to the Coroner,” police told Te Ao News in a statement.
No cause of death for the athlete was shared.
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Wilson began his career in 2020 and had a 4-3 pro MMA record, according to The New Zealand Herald. His final fight took place in October, and on Nov. 14, Wilson revealed that he’d undergone surgery on his left arm.
“Surgery done 🦾” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “Be back asap.”
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As news of his death broke, Wilson’s peers and fans shared tributes to the late fighter.
“It’s with profound sadness that we share the passing of a true pillar of our family and community—our brother, Hakaraia Wilson,” the Oliver MMA and Fitness Gym wrote on its Instagram page. “There are no words that can truly capture what we’re all feeling right now.”
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The caption continued, “Haks, your legacy will live on in each of us — your smile, your laughter, your warmth, and your warrior spirit. Rest easy, knowing your time here, though far too short, left a mark that will never fade.”
The Coconet TV shared a video tribute to Wilson, which showed him stretching on the sand and connecting with nature.
“A young, talented & wise Hakaraia Wilson 🕊️” the post’s caption read. “Our heartfelt condolences to the aiga and whanau of Hakaraia Wilson who was a promising young MMA fighter. May you rest with the ancestors you spoke so fondly of.”
Wrote one fan in a comment on the latter post, “A beautiful human and role model for our rangatahi a role model and someone I know my son will look up to for years to come 💔🪽.”