Former UFC fighter Geane Herrera has died just months before he was due to become a father for the second time.

The American is survived by his girlfriend, who is three months pregnant, and his 16-year-old son as well as his parents, sisters and a brother.

Herrera, who died just days away from his 34th birthday, made his professional MMA debut in 2011 and debuted in the UFC in 2015.

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He made four appearances with the company, his final fight coming in Melbourne at an event in 2016 headlined by Australian rising stars Robert Whittaker and Alexander Volkanovski.

Herrera swapped MMA for bare-knuckle fighting but was forced into retirement due to a spinal injury suffered in a car accident.

He reportedly died after being thrown several metres in a high-speed motorbike accident in Tampa, Florida.

“His loss has left a huge void in our hearts. We are all struggling to come to terms with this tragedy,” family member Michelle wrote on his Instagram.

Herrera will be farewelled this week in Florida.

“Geane was full of life, always trying to live life to the fullest, he was a dedicated athlete with big dreams of making a difference and leaving his print in this world,” his family said.

“He was such a happy-go-lucky person that left a mark in everyone that came into his life.

“He won a few fights, lost some others but every time no matter what happened always had a positive outlook to life and his craft.

“He was a dedicated sportsman that unfortunately because of an injury was unable to keep fighting professionally.

“Geane was a hustler and started doing all kinds of odd jobs to make ends-meet and make sure his kids and family was taken care of.

“Geane coming from an immigrant family wanted to make the difference and make his Colombian-American community proud.

“We tell his story because we want everyone to know the amazing person Geane was, a man full of passion, life, love and big dreams.

“Geane you will always be in our hearts!”

Herrera’s first UFC opponent Ray Borg offered his condolences.

“He was a good guy, my prayers are with him and his family during this tough time,” Borg wrote.