MMA world reacts to the passing of trainer Robert Follis | UFC Betting Sites

Many had kind words to say about former Xtreme Couture trainer Robert Follis, who passed away over the weekend.

The MMA community is surprisingly small, and the passing of one of their own brought about a flood of condolences and memories on social media today. Robert Follis, a longtime MMA trainer and former head guy at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, passed away over the weekend according to multiple reports.

He was, by all accounts, one of the nicest guys in the sport in addition to being a black belt in jiu jitsu and an excellent trainer. He worked with the likes of Kevin Lee, Chris Leben, Miesha Tate, Tim Elliott, Randy Couture, Chael Sonnen, and many, many more.

Here are some of the social media posts dedicated to Follis, who also was a trainer at Team Quest in Portland before he moved to Las Vegas.

From everyone at Bloody Elbow, we offer condolences to his family, friends, students, and everyone else that had their lives enriched by him.

You don’t realize how much of an impact you had on my life. A good coach is so much more than someone to teach techniques. Through the darkest moments in my career and life you’ve helped me see the light and keep pushing. I thank you for everything and apologize for everything more. The next gold belt is for you.

A post shared by MTP (@motownphenom) on Dec 17, 2017 at 9:57am PST

Sucks to wake up and hear this news. RIP @robertfollis such a nice guy. pic.twitter.com/gU8knnBmyh

— Dana White (@danawhite) December 17, 2017

Gonna really miss this guy’s smile and positivity. And that voice! Massive loss for our tight-knit MMA community. My condolences to his family and all the fighters whose lives he impacted so profoundly.

A post shared by Jon Anik (@jon_anik) on Dec 17, 2017 at 9:23am PST

I just bought a house in Vegas to be near him, I was a better person when I was near him!

— Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) December 17, 2017

Heart Broken to hear the news about Coach Robert Follis. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and the fighters he trained. I remember his voice during my pro debut as he coached against me, and how kind he was after the fight. He was a father/mentor to so many of his athletes. Coach Follis always made time to talk to me about his athletes and their development. The way he spoke about them was the way a parent boasts about their children. We lost a big piece of our MMA community. He was both a pioneer in the beginning of MMA and an innovator in today’s evolving sport. My heart is with Ed Herman, Ryan Schultz, Chris Leben, Meisha Tate, Tim Elliott, and so many other fighters who are devastated right now. We won’t forget you Coach Follis. RIP

A post shared by Brian Stann (@brianstann) on Dec 17, 2017 at 9:05am PST

It’s a sad day this man change my life and countless others maybe the most kind hearted and good person I’ve ever had in my life you Will be missed

A post shared by Chris Leben (@chrislebenmma) on Dec 17, 2017 at 12:53pm PST

I became good friends with Robert Follis throughout filming of TUF 25 I just stayed at his house last week I haven’t heard what happened can anyone fill me in? He was an awesome guy and the more I got to know him the more respect I had for him

— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) December 17, 2017

Can’t believe what I woke up to about Robert Follis. Truly a class act every single time I interacted with him. Great guy to be around and so knowledgeable. The MMA world will not be the same

— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) December 17, 2017

I am in Finland at this moment and got word that Robert Follis has passed away. Hoping this is wrong!! This is a huge loss if true. One of the finest trainers and men in the world of MMA. Please, please be fake news

— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) December 17, 2017

Stunned and saddened to hear about Robert follis passing. We both graduated as instructors under @aliveness_ape he went on to do great things with Team Quest and more recently Extreme Couture. A truly great coach who was always quick to offer advice. RIP Robert

— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) December 17, 2017

So sad to hear about Robert Follis. He will be missed.

— Jon Fitch (@jonfitchdotnet) December 17, 2017

This is one of the hardest posts I’ve ever had to make. Robert Follis you were the a light in a very dark world. You taught me so much about MMA and even more about life. I will celebrate your life and live my life to my best ability to make you proud. You will be greatly missed. I love you Robert Follis! #RIP

A post shared by Heather Jo Clark (@heatherjoclark) on Dec 17, 2017 at 10:57am PST

I just heard the news of Robert Follis’ death.

I knew Robert from the beginning of his MMA career and transition to coaching. He has always been a kind and supportive person and I have enjoyed a long friendship with him

Heartbreaking. You will be missed my friend.

— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) December 17, 2017

Robert Follis you will be missed! These little speeches people take for granted. As an teacher and student I will always remember and learn what you have taught. #youwillbemissed #rip #xtremecouture #follismma pic.twitter.com/NMHTSOhmRo

— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) December 17, 2017

Terrible news about @robertfollis and deeply sadden for all those who are affected. Glad I was able to work with such a powerful and inspiring person . #rip #mma

A post shared by Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) on Dec 17, 2017 at 9:30am PST

Absolutely awful to hear that Robert Follis passed away That man helped a ton of fighters, directly and indirectly. Hard to think of all the loved ones he leaves behind. for everyone that was close to him, I’m so sorry.

— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) December 17, 2017

Deeply saddened to hear my friend @RobertFollis passed away yesterday. I’m at a loss for words and my heart hurts for the MMA community that has lost a great human to the cosmos. See you on the other side coach.

— FRANK TRIGG (@FRANKTRIGG) December 17, 2017

“[Imagine] if I invited you over on Sunday morning for homemade cinnamon rolls, and you don’t smell any cinnamon rolls. I tell you they are on the table. You walk over, and there is a bowl of flour, bowl of butter, bowl of cinnamon and a bowl of sugar. I tell you to dig in, and you go, ‘Whoa! A cinnamon roll is not just a bunch of ingredients. It’s how you mix and prepare them that make them a cinnamon roll. It’s what makes them delicious.’

“MMA is the same thing. A lot of people get confused by specialty, and they don’t think of someone as a MMA coach because at the very beginning, everyone started out with a specialty. But, it has kind of come on at a time where we were mixing martial arts. I can separate and teach BJJ for the sport, but I really feel like where I’ve been world-class is in how that gets mixed out and orchestrated together rather than as separate pieces.”

Robert Follis, as told to Sherdog.com in 2015