Today, we will look at the top 20 best UFC coaches with respect to their expertise and achievements. UFC is the most popular form of fighting in the current world, and it is a great display of how martial arts can be used for self-defense and also as a way to win money in the ring.
People usually think that fighters from the world of martial arts are in the best condition and are able to fight without any problems for a long time since they are strong, flexible, and resistant to pain. The truth is that many need to consider the coaches and how important their job is for the fighters. The training is a lot more detailed and a lot more involved.
Every UFC fighter has a coach that helps them improve their skills and prepare for their fights. These mentors have shaped and molded some of the world’s top fighters into champions through their unparalleled expertise and dedication.
Join us on this exciting journey as we take a closer look at the masterminds behind some of MMA’s greatest success stories.
Top 20 Best UFC Coaches
Here are the top 20 UFC coaches, according to our analysis.
Coaches Name | Academy Name |
Greg Jackson | Jackson-Wink MMA |
Firas Zahabi | Tristar gym |
Trevor Wittman | Grudge Training Center |
Javier Mendez | American Kickboxing Academy |
Duke Roufus | Roufusport |
Mike Brown | American Top Team |
Rafael Cordeiro | Kings MMA |
Dave Camarillo | AKA |
Conan Silveira | American Top Team Academy |
Pat Miletich | Miletich Fighting Systems (MFS) |
Mark Henry | Golden Gloves |
Matt Hume | AMC Pankration |
Eric Albarracin | The Ultimate Fighter Brazil |
Cesar Gracie | Strikeforce |
Ray Longo | Jeet Kune Do |
Duane Ludwig | Team Alpha Male (TAM) |
Lloyd Irvin | Alliance training facility |
James Krause | Glory MMA & Fitness |
Khabib Nurmagomedov | American Kickboxing Academy |
Eugene Bareman | City Kickboxing |
1. Greg Jackson
Greg Jackson is one of the best UFC coaches out there. His Jackson-Wink MMA gym is one of the most successful in the business, with a long list of top UFC fighters coming out of it.
Jackson is a master of game planning and strategy and has a proven track record of helping his fighters win big fights. He is also a great motivator and always looks for new ways to help his fighters improve. Jackson is known for his unique coaching methods, including visualization and positive thinking techniques. He also puts much emphasis on proper nutrition and conditioning. These methods have helped his fighters achieve success in the Octagon.
He has coached some of the biggest names in the UFC, including Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, and Cain Velasquez. His fighters have a combined record of over 500 wins and only 50 losses. If you are looking for a top UFC coach, you can go right with Greg Jackson.
2. Firas Zahabi
Firas Zahabi is widely regarded as one of the best UFC coaches in the world today. He is the head coach of the highly successful Tristar gym in Montreal, Canada, which is one of the most prestigious MMA training facilities in the world. Zahabi has a proven track record of helping his fighters reach the top of the UFC heap, including current welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.
Zahabi is a technical wizard and is known for his meticulous game planning and preparation. He is also a great motivator and is able to get the best out of his fighters. Zahabi is a true student of The game and is always looking for ways to improve his fighters’ skills. He has a long list of successful students, including UFC champions Georges St-Pierre and Rory MacDonald.
There is no doubt that Firas Zahabi is one of the best UFC coaches in the business, and he has the results to back it up. If you are looking for a coach who can help you reach the top of the UFC, then Zahabi is definitely someone you should consider.
3. Trevor Wittman
Trevor Wittman is one of the top MMA coaches in the world. He is the head coach of the Grudge Training Center in Denver, Colorado. His fighters have gone on to have great success in the UFC, including former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and current welterweight title contender Kamaru Usman.
Wittman has a wealth of experience as a coach, having worked with some of the biggest names in the sport. He is a great motivator and knows how to get the best out of his fighters. Wittman is also a very technical coach, able to help his fighters fix any flaws in their game.
The Grudge Training Center is one of the premier MMA gyms in the country. It is home to some of the best fighters in the world, and Trevor Wittman is a big reason why. He is also a great motivator and is always looking for ways to help his fighters reach their full potential.
4. Javier Mendez
Javier Mendez is one of the top UFC coaches and has been training some of the best fighters in the world for over 20 years. He has coached some of the best MMA fighters in the world, such as Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold, Daniel Cormier, and Khabib Nurmagomedov. His fighters have won a total of 21 UFC titles.
Mendez is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and he has also trained in boxing and Muay Thai. His gym, American Kickboxing Academy, is one of the most successful MMA gyms in the world and has produced many UFC champions. Mendez is a highly respected coach and is known for his technical knowledge and ability to get the most out of his fighters.
5. Duke Roufus
Duke Roufus is a world-renowned mixed martial arts coach and the founder of Roufusport, one of the most successful MMA gyms in the world. He is a former kickboxing champion and has coached some of the biggest names in MMA, including current UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic.
Roufus is a master of stand-up striking and has developed a unique and effective style of coaching that has helped his fighters to achieve success in the UFC. He is known for his ability to develop game plans that are specific to each fighter’s strengths and weaknesses, and this has helped his fighters to win many important fights.
Roufus is also a very popular figure in the MMA community and is respected for his knowledge and experience. He is a regular guest on MMA podcasts and has been featured in many magazines and websites. If you are looking for a top-notch MMA coach, then Duke Roufus is definitely someone you should consider.
6. Mike Brown
Mike Brown is widely regarded as one of the top MMA coaches in the world. He is the head coach of the American Top Team (ATT), which is one of the most successful MMA teams in history.
Brown has helped ATT become one of the top teams in MMA by developing a successful training program and producing some of the sport’s most talented fighters. He has also been instrumental in helping ATT’s fighters transition to the UFC, where they have had great success.
Some of the top fighters who have trained under Brown include current UFC champions Tyron Woodley and Amanda Nunes, as well as former UFC champions Frankie Edgar and Robbie Lawler. Brown has also coached many other successful MMA fighters, such as Jorge Masvidal, Rashad Evans, and Dustin Poirier.
There is no doubt that Mike Brown is one of the best MMA coaches in the world, and he has helped ATT become one of the sport’s most successful teams.
7. Rafael Cordeiro
There is no doubt that Rafael Cordeiro is one of the best UFC coaches out there. He is the head coach of Kings MMA and has helped train some of the best fighters in the world, including UFC champions Anderson Silva and Fabricio Werdum.
Cordeiro is a highly experienced coach with a wealth of knowledge in both striking and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is known for his ability to develop game plans that are tailor-made for each of his fighter’s strengths and weaknesses.
Under Cordeiro’s guidance, Kings MMA has become one of the most successful fight teams in the world. He is, without a doubt, one of the best coaches in the UFC today.
8. Dave Camarillo
When it comes to UFC coaches, Dave Camarillo is definitely one of the best. AKA, or American Kickboxing Academy, is one of the most successful mixed martial arts gyms in the world. Camarillo has coached some of the biggest names in the UFC, including Cain Velasquez, Daniel Cormier, and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
He is a master at developing game plans that exploit his opponent’s weaknesses and help his fighters get the win. If you are looking for a top-notch MMA coach, Camarillo is definitely someone you should consider.
9. Conan Silveira
Conan Silveira is the head coach of the American Top Team Academy and one of the best UFC coaches in the world. He has over 20 years of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is a black belt under Carlson Gracie Sr. He is also a multiple-time IBJJF world champion and ADCC medalist.
Coach Silveira has produced many successful UFC fighters, such as Tyron Woodley, Dustin Poirier, Jorge Masvidal, and many more. His fighters are known for their well-roundedness, technique, and tenacity. Coach Silveira is a true master of the craft and is, without a doubt, one of the best UFC coaches in the business.
10. Pat Miletich
Pat Miletich is a retired American mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and coach. He was the first UFC Welterweight Champion and the CEO of the now-defunct MMA promotion International Fight League (IFL). He is currently one of the commentators for FOX Sports 1’s UFC Boost Pass show.
Miletich is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in MMA history. He ran a successful MMA gym, Miletich Fighting Systems (MFS), which produced many notable UFC fighters, such as Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver, Tim Sylvia, Robbie Lawler, Ben Saunders, Jeremy Stephens, and Spencer Fisher.
In addition to being a great coach, Miletich is also an excellent commentator and analyst. He often provides insightful analysis of fights and has a vast knowledge of MMA strategy and technique.
11. Mark Henry
Mark Henry is a former Olympic weightlifter and a current mixed martial arts coach. He is the head coach of the Golden Gloves MMA team in New York City. Henry has coached some of the best UFC fighters in the world, including Frankie Edgar, Chris Weidman, and Matt Serra. He is a highly respected coach in the MMA community and is known for his technical knowledge and ability to develop his fighters’ skills.
12. Matt Hume
So many great UFC coaches out there nowadays, but Matt Hume of AMC Pankration is definitely one of the best. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the sport and has proven time and time again that he knows what it takes to succeed in the Octagon.
Hume has coached some of the biggest names in the UFC, including former champion Benson Henderson and current interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson. He has also worked with many other top fighters, such as Urijah Faber, Josh Thomson, and Michael Chandler.
In addition to his work with individual fighters, Hume has also been a key figure in the development of the sport of MMA in Asia. He was the head coach of the Japanese MMA team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has also worked extensively with the ONE Championship promotion in China.
There is no doubt that Matt Hume is one of the best MMA coaches in the world, and he has definitely made a huge impact on the sport.
13. Eric Albarracin
There is no doubt that the UFC has some of the best coaches in the world. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share with their fighters. One of those coaches is Eric Albarracin.
Albarracin is the head coach of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil. He has an impressive resume, having coached some of the biggest names in MMA. He is also a former Olympic wrestler, so he knows a thing or two about grappling.
With Albarracin at the helm, The Ultimate Fighter Brazil has become one of the most successful teams in the UFC. They have produced several champions, including Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort, and Mauricio Rua.
Albarracin is a master at his craft. He is able to get the best out of his fighters and prepare them for success in the Octagon. If you are looking for a coach who can help you take your game to the next level, then Eric Albarracin is definitely someone you should consider working with.
14. Cesar Gracie
Cesar Gracie is one of the top MMA coaches in the world. He is the head coach of Strikeforce and has produced some of the best fighters in the world. He is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has a great deal of experience in the sport.
He has coached fighters such as Nick Diaz, Jake Shields, and Gilbert Melendez. All three of these fighters have gone on to have great success in the UFC. Gracie is a great coach and is always looking to improve his fighters. He is a true asset to any team.
15. Ray Longo
As the UFC continues to grow in popularity, more and more people are becoming interested in learning about the sport of mixed martial arts. While there are many different ways to learn MMA, one of the best ways is to find a good coach.
Ray Longo is one of the top 20 MMA coaches in the world. He is a Jeet Kune Do instructor and has been training fighters for over 20 years. He has coached many UFC champions, including Georges St-Pierre, Chris Weidman, and Frankie Edgar.
Longo is a highly sought-after coach because of his ability to develop well-rounded fighters. He believes that each fighter is unique and that, therefore, each fighter needs a unique approach to training. This has helped him create some of the most successful fighters in the UFC. If you are looking for a top-notch MMA coach, then look no further than Ray Longo.
16. Duane Ludwig
Duane Ludwig is one of the top UFC coaches out there and heads up Team Alpha Male (TAM). He is a great coach because he not only has a ton of experience himself as a former UFC fighter, but he is also really good at helping others to learn and improve.
Ludwig has a great ability to break down techniques and help his fighters to understand them. He is also very good at coming up with game plans and strategies for his fighters to use in their fights. In addition to all of this, Ludwig is also a great motivator and is always pushing his fighters to do their best.
All of these things combined make Duane Ludwig one of the best UFC coaches out there. If you are looking for someone to help you improve your skills and get you ready for your next fight, Ludwig is definitely the coach for you.
17. Lloyd Irvin
There is no question that Lloyd Irvin is one of the best UFC coaches around. His Alliance training facility is one of the most respected in the business, and he has produced some of the sport’s biggest stars. In addition to his success in coaching, Irvin is also a highly respected competitor in his own right, with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Irvin’s accomplishments speak for themselves, but what really sets him apart is his passion for the sport. He is always looking for ways to improve his fighters’ performances, and his dedication to their success is evident in everything he does. If you are looking for a top-notch UFC coach, Lloyd Irvin is definitely someone you should consider.
18. James Krause
One of the best MMA coaches in the world is James Krause of Glory MMA & Fitness. Krause has an extensive background in both boxing and mixed martial arts, having competed at a high level in both sports. He has also coached some of the biggest names in the UFC, including Frankie Edgar, Urijah Faber, and Jeremy Stephens.
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to finding the best MMA coach for you. However, there are certain qualities that top coaches tend to possess. They must be able to develop and implement game plans, be excellent communicators, and have a great deal of experience in the sport. They must also be able to motivate their fighters and get them to buy into their vision.
Krause is a master strategist who is always looking for ways to improve his fighters’ game. He is an excellent communicator who is able to convey his vision to his fighters clearly. Moreover, he has a wealth of experience in both boxing and MMA, which he uses to help his fighters prepare for their fights. If you are looking for a top-notch MMA coach, then James Krause is someone you should definitely consider.
19. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Nurmagomedov’s striking game is second to none. He is a former Muay Thai champion and has incorporated that knowledge into his MMA game. However, he started his coaching career very recently. He has helped his students develop powerful striking techniques that have led to some big wins in the UFC.
Nurmagomedov’s grappling is also top-notch. He is a black belt in judo and sambo and has used those skills to great effect in the UFC. He has helped his students develop a strong ground game that has led to some big wins in the UFC.
Overall, Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the best UFC coaches out there. He is a master of both striking and grappling and has helped his students become some of the best fighters in the world. If you are looking for a top-notch coach, Nurmagomedov is definitely someone you should consider.
20. Eugene Bareman
Eugene Bareman is the head coach of City Kickboxing, one of the top MMA gyms in the world. He has produced many top UFC fighters, including current middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
Bareman is a highly respected coach, and his fighters always come into the Octagon well-prepared. His technical knowledge and ability to get the best out of his athletes have made him one of the best coaches in the UFC.
If you are looking for a top-level coach to help you reach your potential in the UFC, then Eugene Bareman is definitely someone you should consider.
Conclusion
The best UFC coaches are those who have a deep understanding of the sport and its players. They have the knowledge and experience to help their athletes achieve their goals, and they always have their eyes open for new opportunities to learn.
With so many great coaches out there, it is hard to choose just 20. However, if you are looking for a head coach who can help you reach your full potential as a fighter, then look no further than these 20 best UFC coaches.
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