The International Fight League on Sunday confirmed the the passing of Southern California Condors middleweight
Jeremy Williams, 27, of Laguna Niguel, Calif. According to a statement issued by the league, the Orange County, Calif., Sheriff's Department - Coroner Division
confirmed that Williams died Saturday and that an autopsy will be performed to determine cause of death.
"This is a very sad day for the Williams family, Jeremy's teammates and all of the mixed martial arts community," IFL Co-founder and
Commissioner Kurt Otto said. "Jeremy was a tremendous competitor and teammate, as well as being a very strong person who lifted the spirits of everyone around him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jeremy's wife, Lauren, their young daughter and the rest of his family, as well
as his coaches
Marco Ruas (Pictures) and
Debi Purcell (Pictures) and all his teammates. Everyone at the IFL, as well as the entire MMA community, will do everything we can to support them in their hour of need."
Williams (7-2) was undefeated in his first two IFL fights, last competing at the Forum in Los Angeles on March 17, when he defeated the
Tokyo Sabres'
Kazuhiro Hamanaka (Pictures). One of the rising stars of the first-year league, Williams was going to miss the Condors' next matchup
at the Sears Centre in Chicago on May 19, due to a recent recurrence of
a sternum injury.
Memorial details will be announced as they become available.