Tag: ATT

Tyron Woodley’s Coach Thinks He’s Nearing GOAT Status

Tyron Woodley’s coach thinks he is nearing welterweight greatness.

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Tyron Woodley’s coach thinks he is nearing welterweight greatness.

Just how good is the reigning defending welterweight champion T-Wood? Only Hall of Famers Georges St-Pierre and Matt Hughes have more title defenses at 170 pounds than Woodley. St-Pierre has a staggering nine defenses and Hughes has five from his time as a dominant champion. If Woodley is able to defend his title one more time he will tie Hughes with five successful defenses.

Since day one, Woodley has had aspirations of greatness. He has repeatedly stated his desire to go down as the greatest welterweight fighter of all time. Though that title is usually given to GSP, Woodley is definitely in the discussion for the top three.

Woodley most recently defeated the previously unbeaten Darren Till in the main event of UFC 228. In so doing retaining his title for the fourth straight time. Now Woodley’s coach Din Thomas believes with another successful defense “The Chosen One” will be on par with St-Pierre.

Din Thomas on T-Wood

“I think, at this point, I’m going to have to say second,” Thomas said recently on The MMA Hour when asked to assess Woodley’s all-time welterweight ranking. “Like you said, I think his résumé speaks for itself, when you think of the guys that he has beaten, even in his come-up, between like Carlos Condit, Kelvin Gastelum, Robbie Lawler. He’s beaten all those guys.

“But I think that a couple more title defenses will solidify his position. I think that’s all he needs. A win over Colby — to me, I think Colby’s an easy opponent, to be honest with you, but just on the résumé he kinda needs that just so he can have more title defenses — and maybe even Usman, but if he gets those two then he’s the best of all-time.”

Covington Next

A fight between Woodley and Covington seems like a foregone conclusion. UFC president Dana White stated before UFC 228 that “Chaos” is the next in line to challenge for the welterweight title. Although White has been known to waffle on his words ion the past.

“He doesn’t have anything that’s dangerous to Tyron,” Thomas explained. “He doesn’t have the ability to knock him out with one punch if Tyron slips, he doesn’t have the ability to choke Tyron out — to play ‘take him down, take his back, choke him out.’ I don’t think he has that ability. The way Colby can win that fight is to obviously grind him out, and I don’t think he can outwrestle Tyron to get up to that point. So to me, that’s just kind of an easier matchup.”

Woodley was rumored to be defending his title at UFC 230 on November 3. However, it has since been revealed that he will be sidelined for eight to 12 weeks because of hand surgery stemming from a dislocated thumb and three torn ligaments.

Woodley & White Beef

White and Woodley have had a contentious relationship in the past. So when White was conspicuously absent from the UFC 228 press conference the media perceived White’s action as a sleight to Woodley. However, Thomas wouldn’t go that far.

“Being on the (Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight) show with Dana, I know how hard he works. I know his schedule and I know he keeps everything really tight, so I would never speculate that he didn’t show up because he disliked Tyron or he didn’t want Tyron to win,” Thomas said. “In fact, when he came into the cage, he kinda gave me a nod and was like, ‘Good job.’ I mean, of course everybody’s going to speculate that he didn’t like it, but I know, like I said, Dana keeps a very tight schedule. I know that he was leaving — I was talking to his security guy afterward saying, ‘Man, we got a flight to catch.’

“And sometimes Dana, it’s just like, his schedule, he’s tired all the time, so I don’t want to use that as the excuse but I just know he keeps a tight schedule. So that’s the only reason why I could see he wouldn’t be at the press conference. I would like to see him come out with a statement and congratulate Tyron. That would be good, because it’s easy to criticize fighters, but when they show and prove, when they show up and give you what you ask, I think it’s only right to give them their props.”

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ATT Co-Founder Confirms Departure, Makes own Statement on Colby Covington

Ricardo Liborio helped found American Top Team, which ultimately gave Colby Covington the opportunity to train with some of the best fighters in the world. Now, Liborio has distanced himself from ATT after Covington sounded off against Brazilian this past weekend following his win over Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 119. “I feel that […]

Ricardo Liborio helped found American Top Team, which ultimately gave Colby Covington the opportunity to train with some of the best fighters in the world. Now, Liborio has distanced himself from ATT after Covington sounded off against Brazilian this past weekend following his win over Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 119. “I feel that […]

MMA Fighter Fatally Shot In Florida Home Invasion

In a month filled with unfortunate injuries and passing in MMA, another name has unfortunately been added to the list when news arrived today that American Top Team (ATT) fighter Aaron Rajman was shot and killed in his home in Florida last night (July 4, 2017). According to a report from local newspaper Sun-Sentinel obtained via […]

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In a month filled with unfortunate injuries and passing in MMA, another name has unfortunately been added to the list when news arrived today that American Top Team (ATT) fighter Aaron Rajman was shot and killed in his home in Florida last night (July 4, 2017).

According to a report from local newspaper Sun-Sentinel obtained via the Palm Beach County sheriff’s office, multiple men entered Rajman’s home in the Sandalfoot Cove neighborhood in West Boca Raton, Florida, and argued with Rajman before shooting and killing him before driving off. No motive has been established for the heinous crime on the 25-year-old athlete, whom many considered a good asset for his community.

Local fight promoter and friend Dave Zalewski opened up about the tragic scene to the Sun-Sentinel, noting that everyone is simply at a loss for words:

“I’m just literally at a loss for words. Everyone I talked to is sickened. He was the most humble guy around, he never talked bad about people.”

Zalewski wasn’t the only supporter of Rajman, whom maintained an 8-1 amateur MMA record, where he won multiple titles, and a 2-2 mark as a pro, as the young competitor was also well-known around his community for his Jewish faith, and even taught children at a Jewish community school.

He made a mark there, as Rabbi Zalman Bukiet, director of the Chabad of West Boca Raton, told local station WPTV-Ch. 5 about his merits:

“This was a special young man who had a heart of gold. It’s a tragedy.”

Rajman also opened up about the struggles of his life while writing on his website MMAFutures.com according to the Sun-Sentinel report, shifting his focus to his family and faith and writing an inspirational point of view in recent posts:

“I’m most happy and successful when I can help or at least maybe inspire the people around me. If you’re a fighter or not, if you want something, stay at it. Dreams come true even if you doubted it once or twice.”

We here at LowKick MMA send our best hope and prayers to Rajman’s friends and family during this most unfortunate time, and will provide any relevant updates on his saddening passing if and when they are released.

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Robbie Lawler Leaves ATT, What’s Next For The Former Champ?

Most people know Robbie Lawler 3.0, the well rounded striker that has beaten names like Rory MacDonald, Johny Hendricks, and most recently Carlos Condit. What they don’t know is that this comes at the tail end of 16 year career in which his style has seen many rebirths. With his longtime striking coach Mike Pena retired, and rumors of him living American Top Team (ATT), what will Robbie Lawler 4.0 look like?

The post Robbie Lawler Leaves ATT, What’s Next For The Former Champ? appeared first on Cagepotato.

Say it ain’t so!

Most people know Robbie Lawler 3.0, the well rounded striker that has beaten names like Rory MacDonald, Johny Hendricks, and most recently Carlos Condit. What they don’t know is that this comes at the tail end of 16 year career in which his style has seen many rebirths. With his longtime striking coach Mike Pena retired, and rumors of him living American Top Team (ATT), what will Robbie Lawler 4.0 look like?

According to multiple sources including Fox Sports and ENT Imports, the former middleweight champ has left ATT and is looking for a new gym. But why leave the team he’s had marked success with over the last couple of years? Perhaps the writing was on the wall.

While many fans were calling Tyron Woodley’s first round K.O. of the former champ back at UFC 201 a “fluke”, it seems it may have exposed some deeper issues. Lawler has since pulled out of a fight with Cowboy Cerrone that was suppose to be part of one of the biggest cards in history at UFC 205 and has now changed camps.

Some say he hasn’t looked the same since longtime striking Coach Mike Pena retired back at UFC 189 and has been on a decline ever since. Some are calling for his retirement, stating he’s taken too much damage in his 16 year career as a knockout artist.

If Lawler does ultimately decide to stay in the game, which team should he go to? With supposed “rival” and current champ Tyron Woodley training at RoofusSport and fellow Addidas sponsor Luke Rockhold training at the injury factory that is AKA, what will be Lawler’s next move? Maybe he’ll get a serious craving for poutine and train with Rory MacDonald and GSP over at Tristar. Robbie with a French Canadian accent? Now that’s weird.

What do you guys think, should Robbie Lawler be looking for greener pastures or a way out of the fight game?

The post Robbie Lawler Leaves ATT, What’s Next For The Former Champ? appeared first on Cagepotato.

Report: “TUF 21: American Top Team vs. The Blackzilians” to Begin Filming Soon in South Florida


(I have a feeling that the shirtless guy with the belt is a ringer. Photo via Mike Roach/Getty)

Back in October, Sherdog’s Greg Savage passed along a rumor that the UFC was planning a season of The Ultimate Fighter that would feature competing squads from American Top Team and The Blackzilians — two camps that have made South Florida a training destination for some of MMA’s greatest talent. According to Savage, the season would air on Fight Pass.

Early this morning, MMA Fight Radio co-host Jay Pagliaro confirmed the news, citing “multiple sources from both camps.” Pagliaro indicated that the show will be filmed in South Florida, with ATT co-founder/head coach Ricardo Liborio & Blackzilians head striking coach Henri Hooft as the show’s coaches. (For the record, FrontRowBrian knew about this too.)

We’re still waiting for an official announcement from the UFC about broadcast plans for TUF 21, but a smaller-scale version of TUF airing on Fight Pass seems like a good move — especially because it won’t take any of the UFC’s biggest stars out of action for a considerable chunk of the year. We’ll update you when we know more about the cast; Junior Killer should get a spot based on his name alone.


(I have a feeling that the shirtless guy with the belt is a ringer. Photo via Mike Roach/Getty)

Back in October, Sherdog’s Greg Savage passed along a rumor that the UFC was planning a season of The Ultimate Fighter that would feature competing squads from American Top Team and The Blackzilians — two camps that have made South Florida a training destination for some of MMA’s greatest talent. According to Savage, the season would air on Fight Pass.

Early this morning, MMA Fight Radio co-host Jay Pagliaro confirmed the news, citing “multiple sources from both camps.” Pagliaro indicated that the show will be filmed in South Florida, with ATT co-founder/head coach Ricardo Liborio & Blackzilians head striking coach Henri Hooft as the show’s coaches. (For the record, FrontRowBrian knew about this too.)

We’re still waiting for an official announcement from the UFC about broadcast plans for TUF 21, but a smaller-scale version of TUF airing on Fight Pass seems like a good move — especially because it won’t take any of the UFC’s biggest stars out of action for a considerable chunk of the year. We’ll update you when we know more about the cast; Junior Killer should get a spot based on his name alone.

Hector Lombard and Tyron Woodley Have Slightly Different Understandings of What it Means to Be Teammates


(The same can be said about their understanding of the English language, it appears.)

You guys, I don’t want to instigate anything, but it sounds like Tyron Woodley *might* just be ducking Hector Lombard.

On the heels of a first round TKO of Dong Hyun Kim, Woodley has quickly rebounded from the three round drubbing he suffered at the hands of Rory MacDonald in June, and is in a prime position to receive another highly-ranked opponent. Enter Hector Lombard, currently ranked #6 (if UFC rankings are your thing) and riding back-to-back wins over Nate Marquardt and Jake Shields since dropping to welterweight. A fight with the #3 ranked Woodley makes sense for both men given their current trajectories, but Woodley isn’t having any part of it.

As things of this nature usually are, word of Woodley’s hesitance was first made public by Dana White during the UFC 177 media scrum:

I called Woodley and said, ‘Here’s what your teammate just said, and he wants this fight bad.’ And he said, ‘He can say whatever he wants, he’s about him and he’s always been about him. This fight doesn’t work for me and my brand.’ He started telling me all the reasons why he doesn’t want this fight and I just said, ‘Whatever kid, whatever.’ He wants nothing to do with Hector. Hector wants this fight, Woodley does not.

It’s not good for his brand? Is Woodley even aware that Lombard is the king of rebranding? That’s “Shower There” Lombard you’re talking about, so show some goddamn respect!


(The same can be said about their understanding of the English language, it appears.)

You guys, I don’t want to instigate anything, but it sounds like Tyron Woodley *might* just be ducking Hector Lombard.

On the heels of a first round TKO of Dong Hyun Kim, Woodley has quickly rebounded from the three round drubbing he suffered at the hands of Rory MacDonald in June, and is in a prime position to receive another highly-ranked opponent. Enter Hector Lombard, currently ranked #6 (if UFC rankings are your thing) and riding back-to-back wins over Nate Marquardt and Jake Shields since dropping to welterweight. A fight with the #3 ranked Woodley makes sense for both men given their current trajectories, but Woodley isn’t having any part of it.

As things of this nature usually are, word of Woodley’s hesitance was first made public by Dana White during the UFC 177 media scrum:

I called Woodley and said, ‘Here’s what your teammate just said, and he wants this fight bad.’ And he said, ‘He can say whatever he wants, he’s about him and he’s always been about him. This fight doesn’t work for me and my brand.’ He started telling me all the reasons why he doesn’t want this fight and I just said, ‘Whatever kid, whatever.’ He wants nothing to do with Hector. Hector wants this fight, Woodley does not.

It’s not good for his brand? Is Woodley even aware that Lombard is the king of rebranding? That’s “Shower There” Lombard you’re talking about, so show some goddamn respect!

Woodley expounded upon his decision to turn down a possible fight with Lombard while on Inside MMA.

I always like to do the fights that make the most sense. Especially from American Top Team, my goal is to be the No. 1 guy, the world champion. It is a goal for my team to be No. 1. I’m an avid believer of ‘no strap, no scrap,’ so if there is not a world title on the line I’m not open to fight guys from ATT.

Okay, so Woodley doesn’t want to fight a teammate/friend. I can respect that. I fundamentally disagree with any fighter who claims to “want to be the best” while refusing to fight a teammate, but I can understand where Woodley’s coming from I suppose. American Top Team is a tightly run ship, so I hear, so surely Lombard feels the same way, right?

We’re not friends. He just comes to use the gym. He doesn’t even live here. It’s not a difficult decision at all. 

That doesn’t make sense anyway. I’m going to make him be the next Dana White. Is that fair? I don’t think that’s fair at all. You’ve got to do what the company wants you to do. I understand that once you get injured, there’s no way you can fight. Whoever you have to fight, you have to fight. Period.

I’ll be more than ready, and I’ll say again: We ain’t friends.

(MMAJunkie)

Ah, so they’re not friends, and Hector doesn’t even consider Woodley a true member of ATT. Looks like Woodley needs to purchase a copy of He’s Just Not That Into You, amiright ladies?

It’s hard to fault Woodley for his loyalty to his team, even when a supposed teammate has stated an outright desire to fight him, but on the other hand, “The Chosen One” isn’t exactly in the position to start picking and choosing the terms of his fight, and certainly not when it’s calling for a title shot. Even champions oft have little say over who they will fight next (especially if they fight at under 170 lbs), so Woodley’s refusal to fight Lombard and wait it out is presumptuous to say the least.

Considering that Dana White has already labeled Tyron as a guy who “chokes in big fights” (whether it’s true or otherwise), I don’t think it would be good for Woodley’s “brand” if “unwilling to fight” was added to that list.

–J. Jones