New Zealand’s pro-MMA fighter Hakaria Wilson was incredibly proud of his Maori lineage. “Being Māori is our superpower. It’s our strength, We can draw upon that whenever we need to. I want to fight at the highest level, but I want to use MMA as a vehicle to tell our stories,” Wilson had said in an interview shared last year by Radio NZ. Through MMA, he wanted “to show the world how beautiful our culture is.” But the dream of the fighter, known by the full name of Te Hakaraia O Te Rangi Wilson, remained unfulfilled as he passed away on New Year’s Day at the young age of 26, shocking the entire MMA world.

Starting his amateur career in 2020 and snagging 4-3 in pro-MMA, the last time 26-year-old Wilson was seen in the rings was on October 27 in Bali. He defeated Mark Alcoba of the Philippines at ‘Canggu Fight Night’. Two weeks after that, on November 14, Wilson revealed that he had undergone surgery on his left arm. With succinct enthusiasm, he had written, “Surgery done 🦾Be back asap.” As that comeback stalled forever, the MMA community chimed in to offer tributes. Among some of the notable faces was former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who, although born in Nigeria, is a resident of New Zealand since he was 10.

The Last Stylebender reshared a video made by Wilson’s friend and wrote on his Instagram story, “You will be missed, my brother.” Wilson, a welterweight prospect, was in the New Zealand city of Gisborne for ‘Rhythm and Vines’ festival when he suddenly died. The festival was held from December 29 to 31, and January 1 was its final day. Wilson grew up in Rotorua and Ruatoki, in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, and was raised by his father.

In a 2020 interview with Te Ao Māori News, Wilson talked about his father and said, “He was a fighter back in the day, and, as I was growing up, I’d go to his training and watch him. From then I knew what I wanted to do, and so, without my dad, I probably wouldn’t have chosen to do this sport.” Wilson was immersed in fighting from a young age, he told RNZ, first learning mau rākau, a traditional Māori martial art form using wooden weapons, then moving on to boxing, wrestling and MMA. He had moved to the U.S. during the pandemic and trained in San Diego, California.

“I always pictured myself moving to America eventually to make the most out of my career and my youth,” he told RNZ. “Part of me felt guilty for leaving my family. But for this dream, I understand that sometimes, I need to put myself first.” It was in the US that he trained alongside British UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett. Though the police did not reveal the cause of his death, only saying, “The death is not suspicious and has been referred to the Coroner,” Pimblett revealed some serious details.

A devastated Pimblett shared a photo with him on his Instagram account, claiming that Wilson has committed suicide. “Still can’t believe the news I got yesterday, one of my training partners when I train in San Diego, Haka has taken his own life. Always had a smile on his face and laughing on the mat so to hear this utterly shocked me. So again as I always say MEN PLEASE TALK TO SOMEONE BEFORE TAKING YOUR OWN LIFE! R.I.P Haka brother,” Pimblett wrote on his Instagram post. Yet, Pimblett and Adesanya are not the only UFC fighters to offer tribute to Wilson.

“Fly high brother,” posted UFC star Dan Hooker with a photo of Wilson. “Heartbreaking!” UFC contender Kai Kara-France noted. “Fly high my Maori. Too many of our young tane taken too soon.” Meanwhile, Hakaria’s manager, Callen Mowatt, in a conversation with HuffPost, his impact on the Maori community. “Hakaraia was a cultural figure for the Māori people, representing his heritage with pride. He demonstrated the strength, determination, and resilience of his culture on an international stage, becoming a beacon of inspiration for the Māori community and beyond,” Mowatt said. Other MMA fans and the gyms he has been associated with also chimed in to share the sorrow.

MMA world pours love as Hakaraia Wilson’s promise remains unfulfilled

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of a true pillar of our family and community: our brother, Hakaraia Wilson,” confirmed Auckland’s Oliver MMA gym. Soma Fight Club in Bali, where Wilson also trained, said in its own Instagram post: “With you always. Rest easy young warrior, always in our hearts forever more. We will carry you with us into battle always. Until we see you again, we love you Hakaraia.”

Wilson’s last Instagram post was a promise. It was a promise to bounce back from all his failures, to stay in the combat game until the very end. He shared pictures of himself from inside the cage and wrote, “Took an L in May, learned from it & turned da page. Been waiting a minute for a chance to wash that taste out of my mouth and show how much I’ve grown. Shout out to my coaches and my people for having my back through it all. Forever in debt. I love this sh-t & I’m here to stay.”

He still had a plethora of things to achieve, and he would have done so with his stellar fighting style in jiu-jitsu. When the fans got to know of this devastating news, they could not help but share their thoughts. They wrote, “You can feel the beautiful spirit through just this video. What a loss to those who loved him. I’m so sorry!” and “Was a UFC champ in the making rest easy brother Hakz.”

Some of the MMA buffs did not know who he was, but they were still moved after watching the tribute video. One netizen said, “I don’t know who this is but it’s a beautiful tribute. I can feel the love for him and his spirit.” Another follower chimed in, “I didn’t know the guy and this tribute shows him in the best light l lost my friend too so know a little bit about grief so wish you only the best memories and a positive mind.”

One follower expressed their sadness and wrote a message for his grieving family, “Heart goes out to his family and friends rip.” Wilson has unfortunately joined other fighters like Anthony Johnson, and Geane Herrera, who died too young. A fan wrote, “So very sad. I saw the services across the road from me yesterday morning and knew it couldn’t be good news. Condolences to his whanau and friends.” Another follower saw the video and expressed, “A beautiful tribute.” Our heart goes out to his family and friends and all others affected by the news.