Legendary MMA coach Jeffrey “Duke” Roufus died from heart disease, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner has ruled.
The former kickboxer — who trained multiple world champions, including Anthony Pettis and Ben Askren — passed away in Milwaukee on Oct. 17, 2025. An autopsy was done four days later, and last month, the medical examiner wrote in a report, obtained by The California Post on Monday, that the final cause of death was hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
The ME deemed it to be a natural death, with obesity, congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation all contributing.
Roufus was found dead in his bed by a neighbor who had been asked to check in on the former fighter after he did not pick up his 12-year-old daughter from school earlier in the afternoon, according to the medical examiner’s investigation report.
He had last been seen alive in public on Oct. 16, 2025 at his daughter’s volleyball game, the report stated, where his ex-wife said “he seemed to be more tired than usual since he came back from Dubai two weeks ago.”
Roufus’ father, Pat, expressed concern to the Medical Examiner’s Office the night of Roufus’ death that his son “may have been forgetting to take his prescription medication during his time in Dubai, as he was very busy,” according to the investigation report.
Roufus gained fame in the 1990s, when he recorded a 36-8-1 record and earned eight titles as a pro kickboxer.
Following his fighting career, Roufus opened the Roufusport MMA Academy in Milwaukee and became a world-renowned coach, training Pettis, Askren, Tyron Woodley, CM Punk and so many others.
Pettis wrote in an emotional Instagram post after the announcement of Roufus’ death that the coach “took me in and became my father” after his dad’s passing.
“Together we did the impossible and made it to the top!” Pettis said. “I will always make you proud, you’ve taught me so much. I will make sure your legacy continues on.”
Roufus was 55 years old.