Popular MMA fighter killed during violent home invasion in Florida, team says

A popular mixed martial arts fighter was killed while participating in a late-night home invasion in north Florida, according to his associates in the sport.

Langston Sykes, 31, was shot just after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, at a home on SW Leslie Glen in Lake City, the Lake City Police Department said in a news release.

Investigators believe the fatal shooting counted as self-defense under the state’s Stand Your Ground Law, Lake City police said.

“Victims of the home invasion reported that the individual, who was known to the victims, attempted to break into the home and was successful,” police said.

“The residence contained multiple adults and children. One of the adults fired multiple shots at the intruder when he rushed toward them.”

First responders tried to revive Sykes, but he died at the scene, officials said.

One of the adults in the home “had an active injunction against” Sykes, officials said. Details of the injunction were not released.

Sykes went by Langston “Blaze” Sykes and Lanko Sykes in the sport and was proficient in MMA and kickboxing, a promotional social media page says.

He was a father of five and known to be “a fierce competitor,” according to martial arts coach James Smiley, who identified Sykes as a member of his team.

“He was more than just a part of our team, he was family,” Smiley wrote in a March 5 Facebook post. “You may be gone, but your legacy, your spirit, and your impact on all of us will live on forever. We’ll carry you with us in every fight, every moment, and every memory.”

Sykes, a Miami native, last competed in August, the MMA site Tapology.com says. He was based out of Lake City, which is about a 60-mile drive west from Jacksonville.

This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 4:23 AM with the headline "Popular MMA fighter killed during violent home invasion in Florida, team says."