Pettis, Koch & More to Have Motivational Speaker in Their Corners at UFC on FOX 6

Vitor Belfort isn’t the only life coach in MMA anymore. Eric Thomas, the motivational speaker whose words are behind videos like this, has been working with Roufusport fighters and will even be backstage with Anthony Pettis, Erik Koch, and Pascal Krauss tonight as they prepare to fight at UFC on Fox 6 in Chicago.

“Eric was so excited to work with our athletes that he decided to come in of his own accord and speak to our guys on the day of their fights. So he’ll be backstage with them, getting them mentally ready to put on the best show they can. It’s going to be awesome,” head coach Duke Roufus says.

“Eric is a huge influence in my life, and has been a daily motivation to me.”

Thomas recently went to Milwaukee to get Duke Roufus’ boys (check out video of the talk above) all wound up. We suppose the idea that “when you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, you will succeed,” that Thomas preaches has a more literal-than-usual meaning and application for pro fighters, so the pairing makes sense.

What we’re wondering, though, is how much motivational shouting fighters can take back stage. Burt Watson may not take kindly to having to share platitude air space with another guy. We’ll keep you apprised of any beef that may or may not develop tonight backstage at UFC on Fox 6.

Elias Cepeda

Vitor Belfort isn’t the only life coach in MMA anymore. Eric Thomas, the motivational speaker whose words are behind videos like this, has been working with Roufusport fighters and will even be backstage with Anthony Pettis, Erik Koch, and Pascal Krauss tonight as they prepare to fight at UFC on Fox 6 in Chicago.

“Eric was so excited to work with our athletes that he decided to come in of his own accord and speak to our guys on the day of their fights. So he’ll be backstage with them, getting them mentally ready to put on the best show they can. It’s going to be awesome,” head coach Duke Roufus says.

“Eric is a huge influence in my life, and has been a daily motivation to me.”

Thomas recently went to Milwaukee to get Duke Roufus’ boys (check out video of the talk above) all wound up. We suppose the idea that “when you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, you will succeed,” that Thomas preaches has a more literal-than-usual meaning and application for pro fighters, so the pairing makes sense.

What we’re wondering, though, is how much motivational shouting fighters can take back stage. Burt Watson may not take kindly to having to share platitude air space with another guy. We’ll keep you apprised of any beef that may or may not develop tonight backstage at UFC on Fox 6.

Elias Cepeda