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American martial artist Chuck Norris with Chinese American martial artist, actor, director and screenwriter Bruce Lee on the set of his movie Meng Long Guo Jiang (The Way of the Dragon). (Photo by Concord Productions Inc./Golden Harvest Company/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images) | Corbis via Getty Images
The
unfortunate passing of the legendary Chuck Norris has hit the combat sports world and has hit it hard.
On Friday, news surfaced that Norris had passed away at the age of 86. The renowned kickboxing expert was
hospitalized on Thursday, but reportedly in “good spirits.” Less than 24 hours later Norris’ family announced his passing on
social media and left the mixed martial arts (MMA) community in complete shock.
Norris, who celebrated his birthday earlier this month with an
impressive pad session, is one of the most beloved figures in combat sports and American cinema, including his roles in
Missing in Action,
The Delta Force, and
Lone Wolf McQuade. His fight scene opposite Bruce Lee in
The Way of the Dragon is recognized as one of the most significant martial arts sequences in cinema history.
Norris held a 183-10-2 record as a kickboxer and was a six-time world champion in bare knuckle karate, while training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the tutelage of the Gracies and Machados for 20 years. Overall, Norris held a 10th degree black belt in Chun Kuk Do, a 9th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, an 8th degree black belt in Taekwondo, a 5th degree black belt in Karate, a 3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a black belt in Judo.
After hearing the news of Norris’ passing, the combat sports community immediately took to social media to send their condolences and say their goodbyes. Check out the reaction below and let us know your favorite Chuck Norris memory!
“Oh no! I can’t believe it! You helped shape my childhood as a martial artist! You will forever be missed! Legend!
” — Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson
“My Hero since childhood. My Hero forever. That’s how I’ll always see you. Legend” — Jan Blachowicz
RIP to the American Legend.
pic.twitter.com/N0cG57kH7G
— OverDogs Podcast (@OverDogsPodcast)
March 20, 2026
Word is Chuck was disappointed with the martial arts instructors in heaven so he decided it’s time to go there and show them what’s up! RIP to the legend though all love and respect
https://t.co/3yEWsvQxy0
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal)
March 20, 2026
Chuck Norris dead at 86, damn
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA)
March 20, 2026
SAD DAY! A true martial artist, a true legend. Before fighting, before all of us… there were guys like Chuck Norris paving the way.
Much respect to a man who helped shape martial arts.
#MMA#MartialArts#Respect#Rippic.twitter.com/XnVupaTyjb
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma)
March 20, 2026
RIP Chuck Norris.
A legend.
pic.twitter.com/Y1VH1d4FYU
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports)
March 20, 2026
RIP to the grim reaper for having to meet Chuck Norris
https://t.co/S62Cg6rv7d
— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal)
March 20, 2026
Chuck Norris doesn’t do push-ups.
He pushes the earth down.
That was always my favorite stupid Chuck Norris joke. RIP to the GOAT.
https://t.co/wTRGwoUeYp
— Clint MacLean (@DieHardMMAPod)
March 20, 2026
Damn… RIP
https://t.co/LsOE15IzGs
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban)
March 20, 2026
RIP to the legend Chuck Norris
My all time favorite
Goods guys wear black
pic.twitter.com/y8Rq9FoPev
— Mayor Guy Fieri (@GuyFieri)
March 20, 2026
Man… RIP
https://t.co/hIhq97Uxsq
— Matt “The Steamrolla”Frevola (@SteamRollaa)
March 20, 2026
WWE is saddened to learn that legendary Hollywood actor and pop culture icon Chuck Norris has passed away.
WWE extends its condolences to Norris’ family, friends, and fans.
https://t.co/kOWkG60AgSpic.twitter.com/dZdR6xBoq1
— WWE (@WWE)
March 20, 2026
Chuck Norris doesn't die, his spirit just punches out of his body.
#RIPChuckNorrishttps://t.co/hG5F8LaMSU
— RJ Clifford (@RJcliffordMMA)
March 20, 2026
Chuck Norris didn't die, he just completed his mission & went to rest…
#RestWellLegendpic.twitter.com/KOrkoOAbd6
— Mario Lopez (@mariolopezviva)
March 20, 2026
Rest in peace to a great man, there will never be anyone like him.
Chuck Norris.
https://t.co/ldygpaeyDF
— Gina Carano (@ginacarano)
March 20, 2026
Today, we lost a legend—someone who deeply inspired me. My heart and condolences go out to his family.
Rest in peace Chuck Norris.
pic.twitter.com/G6HKrw8T9O
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre)
March 20, 2026
Very Saddened To Hear That A Legend, My Hero, Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris Passed Today…My Heartfelt Sympathies & Condolences To His Family. I Guess God Needed “The Toughest Angel Alive” R.I.P.RangerMy Friend
pic.twitter.com/DIQ1Pe9sdq
— SGT SLAUGHTER (@_SgtSlaughter)
March 20, 2026
Rest in peace to one of the most impactful martial artists of all time, the great Chuck Norris.
A true legend and one of the toughest to ever do it. Your impact will live on forever.
️
pic.twitter.com/OTNMFoYoqN
— MVP – Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions)
March 20, 2026
On behalf of my family & myself, sending our deepest condolences and prayers on the passing of
@chucknorris to his family and loved ones. May you rest in peace.
— Bret Michaels (@bretmichaels)
March 20, 2026
RIP to Chuck Norris.
Remember seeing your films, reading about you in Black Belt Magazine and to follow your life as a man who just refused to quit exercising.
Inspiration to many especially me.
Thank you for imprinting hard work, discipline and laughter to us all.
— PHIL HEATH (@PHILHEATH)
March 20, 2026
The MMA world mourns the loss of Chuck Norris
https://t.co/J4Q1OcYwXmpic.twitter.com/PfgT3Mms0D
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting)
March 20, 2026
So many fond memories from my childhood to even adulthood involving Chuck Norris…
Was a presence at martial arts academies I grew up training in to the movies I watched
Had some great memories with someone else who is gone about Chuck too that I can’t even explain…
RIP Chuck
pic.twitter.com/IELNPKC2Xl
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA)
March 20, 2026
He began far from home, a young man in a foreign land, discovering the ancient language of combat.
He never stopped speaking it.
At 86, days before he left this world, he was still training. Still becoming.
This is the way of the true martial artist. Not a destination. A…
pic.twitter.com/zobGFm0F1U
— Robin Black (@robinblackmma)
March 20, 2026
Chuck was an icon.
I am grateful that I was able to work with him in multiple ways over the years, from promoting fitness to sharing the screen together. He was a badass, in real life and in Hollywood.
His legend will be with us forever. My thoughts are with his family.
— Arnold Schwarzenegger (@Schwarzenegger)
March 20, 2026
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