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George Hickman: Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA Founder/Head Coach

George Hickman is a former fighter and wrestler, who has become one of the world’s top MMA coaches. First,…

George Hickman is a former fighter and wrestler, who has become one of the world’s top MMA coaches. First, he helped establish Tiger Muay Thai as one of Thailand’s best fight camps and now he’s co-founded Bangtao Muay Thai on the idyllic island of Phuket.

Name:	George Hickman
Date of Birth:	11-21-1985
Hometown:	Castle Hayne, North Carolina
Gym:	Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA. Tiger Muay Thai(2015-2021)
Background:	Wrestling & MMA
Pro MMA Record:	9-3
Notable Fighters:	Petr Yan, Alex Volkanovski, Weili Zhang, Khalil Rountree

Let’s go over George Hickman’s journey from a fighter to an internationally recognized MMA coach. Read below how Hickman’s journey led him to Thailand and how he helped elevate some of the world’s best gyms and combat sports athletes.

George Hickman’s Wrestling Career

George Hickman grew up wrestling in Castle Hayne, North Carolina since he was a kid. Throughout his childhood, George excelled at wrestling and was one of NC’s top young wrestlers for years.

When Hickman got to Riverside High School, he was already considered one of the best in the state. George proved that he was all throughout high school by winning three state titles.

Hickman’s success earned him a scholarship to Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. Despite Bloomsburg being a small school, George managed to stay nationally ranked throughout his collegiate career.

George’s Fighting Career

Naturally, after finishing up his amateur wrestling career, George Hickman made the transition over to MMA. He joined a gym in Wrightsville, North Carolina that was near his hometown and began his fighting career.

In 2011, George made his pro debut fighting within the local Carolina Fight Promotions. Hickman quickly went 2-0 as a pro in five months, when he got an amazing opportunity that would change his life.

George was offered to compete all the way in Bangkok, Thailand for the Bangkok Fight Night promotion. Not wanting to pass up the opportunity to fight and see the world, Hickman accepted the fight offer.

This first trip would spark a profound love for the nation of Thailand, where Hickman would end up living. He went 2-1 in the promotion before coming back stateside to win a match at Bellator 88.

After winning his Bellator fight, Hickman continued traveling the world fighting. George earned a pro record of 9-3 fighting everywhere from China, Japan, Lebanon, and Thailand multiple times.

Hickman Becomes a Coach

Towards the end of George Hickman’s fighting career, he began transitioning over to the role of a coach. With MMA slowly starting to grow in Thailand, George would find work as a wrestling and MMA coach.

Little did George know that his journey as a fight coach in Thailand would bring him a life-changing opportunity.

George’s Time at Tiger Muay Thai

In the mid 2010s, George got an amazing opportunity to become the head coach at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket. Tiger Muay Thai was one of the first super-fight camps that were constructed in Thailand.

With Hickman as one of Tiger Muay Thai’s leaders, he helped make Tiger Muay Thai one of the world’s best fight camps. The gyms attracted the best MMA fighters, Thai boxers, and BJJ athletes in the world to train in Phuket.

Thanks to successful YouTube channels, social media campaigns, and of course the hard work of the trainers, the gym was successful.

George even recruited his brother Frank Hickman to be Tiger Muay Thai’s head wrestling coach. By 2020, Tiger Muay Thai had helped train numerous MMA and Thai boxing world champions.

George Hickman Co-founds Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA

After helping bring Tiger Muay Thai to prominence, George and a few colleagues wanted to go off on their own. George along with his brother Frank, Alex Schild, and Andrew Wood, made plans to open their own fight camp.

They saw how successful Tiger Muay Thai became and wanted to make their own fight camp that they owned. The four martial artists got some financial backers and found a spot near Bang Tao Beach in Phuket.

Their new gym would be called Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA and it would quickly become an internationally known fight camp. Bangtao had their grand opening in 2021 and the team added everything a martial artist could want in their fight camp.

The gym includes world-class trainers in a state-of-the-art facility and high-level hotel-grade accommodations. In just over two years, Bangtao has hosted numerous world champions, who have held seminars at the fight camp.

Notable Fighters George Hickman Has Coached

In nearly a decade of coaching, George Hickman has helped coach numerous top fighters, which includes world champions.

Petr Yan

George first coached Petr Yan when he was the head coach at Tiger Muay Thai. From the beginning, George knew Petr was a special fighter with elite-level striking. Yan would go on to become one of the first world champions that Hickman coached.

Alex Volkanovski

George Hickman has helped former UFC Featherweight Champion Alex Volkanovski in his training for many years. Whenever Volkanovski makes his way to Thailand, he always spends a few weeks training with Hickman.

The former champion most recently trained at Bangtao in preparation for his rematch with Islam Makhachev. Volkanovski also held a seminar at the camp, which was attended by numerous people.

Weili Zhang

Reigning UFC Strawweight Champion Weili Zhang recently spent her fight camp for her fight against Amanda Lemos and her UFC 300 bout against Yan Xiaonan. Zhang credited both coaches George and Frank Hickman for helping elevate her wrestling in preparation for her UFC fights.

She loved training at Bangtao and looks to be a mainstay at Bangtao in the future.

Khalil Rountree

George has a special relationship with UFC veteran Khalil Rountree. After losing a fight by TKO, Rountree made his way to Thailand to train with George at Tiger Muay Thai.

Thanks to George Hickman and the staff of Thai trainers, Khalil transformed into a completely different fighter. He now has some of the most dangerous Muay Thai skills in the light-heavyweight division thanks to his time in Thailand.

The Legacy of George Hickman

George Hickman has had an incredible journey as a fighter and coach. His fighting career took him to Thailand, where he fell in love and became a world-renowned MMA and wrestling coach.

After establishing one of the world’s best fight camps you will definitely be hearing more about George and Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA gym in the future.

Joshua Fabia: Famous Fake Martial Artist & Conman

For a span of a few years, Joshua Fabia and Diego Sanchez were one of the biggest stories in…

For a span of a few years, Joshua Fabia and Diego Sanchez were one of the biggest stories in MMA. The fake martial artist and con man destroyed the career of an MMA legend and made him a laughingstock.

If you don’t know the full Joshua Fabia story, then get ready for a crazy ride. Read all about one of the most famous fake martial artists of the modern era below.

Who is Joshua Fabia?

Joshua Fabia is a fake martial artist and conman, who was somehow Diego Sanchez MMA coach for multiple UFC fights. Everyone who saw him knew he was a fake and a liar, but was still able to con a known fighter.

Diego Sanchez’s New Unknown Trainer?

After suffering a few losses, Diego Sanchez announced that he was moving away from long-time camp at Jackson-Wink MMA. What MMA fans were not ready for was the announcement of The Nightmare’s new trainer.

Diego came into contact with a man named Joshua Fabia. This announcement left a lot of fans and MMA experts scratching their heads.

It turns out Fabia was a fellow resident of Albuquerque, who contacted a struggling Diego. Fabia claimed that he had the answers Sanchez needed to turn his career around.

Nobody had any idea who this person was and how Diego got in contact with him. Unfortunately, we would become fully aware who Fabia is and this fiasco would go on for years.

The Conman, Healer, Guru, & Fake Prophet

Before Joshua Fabia became not only Diego Sanchez’s only coach but guru life coach, he wasn’t even a martial arts trainer. On his website, Fabia claimed to be among many things “a healer.”

At nine, Josh claims he healed his grandfather after he suffered a heart attack. To add on to his claim of being a healer, Fabia has claimed to be an expert in a wide variety of fields.

Everything from:

Self Defense
Confidence Building
Meditation
Massage
Physical Therapy
Human Rights?

To anyone with their senses intact, he’s clearly a lying conman. Unfortunately for someone mentally vulnerable like Diego, Josh saw his opportunity and took it.

Training Camps For Diego Sanchez

Fabia was in full control of Diego Sanchez’s fight training. When videos began being posted of his training methods, it was clear to everyone that this guy is a fraud.

Some of Fabia’s training methods included:

Run after students with a knife
BS flowing movement drills
Having Diego train blindfolded
Putting Diego upside-down and using him as a punching bag

Among other things, MMA fans also discovered various other videos that Fabia posted online. Most of which were basically nonsense self-help scams, which had no scientific backing.

The Fabia Era Being a Disaster

The first fight of the Fabia era for Diego started against veteran contender Michael Chiesa. In this fight, Chiesa dominated every facet of the fight and Diego landed less than 10 significant strikes.

He somehow won his next bout against Michel Perreira, but Diego’s skills and conditioning were quickly diminishing. The entire MMA community was mocking Fabia and Diego, but Sanchez stubbornly kept the scam artist in his corner.

For his next bout with Jake Matthews, Diego was clearly out of shape. However, leading up to the battering was the most worrying aspect for MMA fans.

Fabia was upset at everyone calling him out for clearly being a con artist and made multiple scenes before the fight. He first tried to call out members of the UFC announcers team in a pre-fight meeting

Commentators Megan Olivi and Paul Felder weren’t having it and waved off the con man. Fabia would later try to confront Matt Serra about a radio interview, but quickly backed down after Serra didn’t back down.

Like always, Fabia was left even more humiliated after the exchange. Unfortunately, Joshua would continue faking insane claims, which would finally lead to the end of the scam.

Joshua Fabia Gets Blackballed

Going into Diego’s last match he was supposed to fight fan favorite Donald Cerrone. But leading into the fight, Fabia claimed that the UFC was knowingly putting Sanchez in matches when he had CTE.

Generally, whenever Fabia made a claim, he was laughed at, but this one got the attention of the UFC brass. They quickly realized what Joshua was trying to do.

He was planning to create a lawsuit to sue the UFC on behalf of Diego Sanchez. Attempting to get a large settlement and take a large portion for himself. Diego himself confirmed that this was the plan after his partnership with Fabia ended.

This claim led to a phone call with the UFC’s head of talent relations Hunter Campbell. During the call, Campbell stated that if Diego was in poor health, he would cancel the fight and release him.

The fight could’ve gone on since Diego passed all of his pre-fight medical tests. But the UFC wanted Fabia to state in writing that Sanchez was in good health.

Fabia refused, which led to the cancellation of the fight and The Nightmare’s release. This was subsequently the blackballing of the scam artist as the promotion would never work with him again.

Diego and Fabia’s Relationship Ends

Thanks to Fabia, Sanchez would lose everything he cherished in his life. Fabia thought that all the other MMA promotions would be knocking down the door to sign Diego. After witnessing their circus act for 2+ years, no other organization would touch Sanchez.

Diego would go into a further psychosis and release multiple unhinged videos at the encouragement of Fabia. He made numerous claims that the UFC was trying to kill him and they were creating a media blackout.

At this point, Fabia had such control over Sanchez that he cut ties with all of his family and friends. Then after all of this, ruining his career, reputation, and relationships, Diego finally parted ways with Fabia.

Diego would not make any negative comments about Fabia, but Josh would slander Sanchez every chance he got. Calling everything from a brain damaged drug addict, deadbeat dad, and mentally handicapped.

This would finally be the time that the MMA community ignored Fabia and he faded out of the news.

After parting ways, Sanchez tried to revive his career. Unfortunately for Diego, he lost a decision to Kevin Lee at Eagle FC and a BKFC fight against Austin Trout in Albuquerque.

Now in his 40s, it seems like the fan favorite’s career is about to come to an end.

How was Fabia Able to Con Diego Sanchez?

Many fight fans wondered just how Joshua Fabia managed to slither his way to become a UFC fighter’s coach. If you look at the history of the mental illness of The Nightmare, the answer is clear.

Diego Sanchez is a fan-favorite fighter, who has been in some of the best fights in MMA history. Unfortunately, the original TUF winner is also a bit out of his mind and has been susceptible to scam artists.

Joshua Fabia wasn’t the first scam artist to take advantage of Diego. In 2009, a friend scammed Sanchez out $150k, who was supposed to look after his finances.

This along with Diego’s heavy partying put him heavily in debt to the sum of $250 in unpaid taxes. Unfortunately, The Nightmare would get scammed many more times in his life.

Later, Sanchez was told by a woman he slept with that she had a child, which she claimed was his. After a few years of raising and supporting the child, it was discovered the child wasn’t his after a DNA test.

Sanchez became even more religious and crazier after these unfortunate events. He was the perfect target for a scam artist like Joshua Fabia.

Where is Joshua Fabia Now?

Speaking for most of the MMA community, we don’t care where Joshua Fabia currently is. He is a fake martial artist and conman.

It was miraculous how Fabia, being a fake martial artist, lied his way into becoming a known athlete’s trainer. Josh took advantage of a mentally ill Diego, who was clearly suffering from CTE, and stole from him.

Fabia will go down as one of the biggest fake martial artists in history and hopefully, we never hear from him again.

Javier Mendez On Jake Paul Joining AKA: ‘He’s Never Asked’

AKA Coach Javier Mendez has squashed rumours that Jake Paul is or has been training at the American Kickboxing Academy, however, the experienced Mendez hasn’t closed the door on the idea of Paul potentially stepping inside the walls of AKA. In a recent interview with TheSchmo Coach Mendez was asked about Jake Paul and whether […]

In a recent interview with TheSchmo Coach Mendez was asked about Jake Paul and whether the speculation was true. In the build-up to Jake Paul Vs. Tyron Woodley 2, Paul expressed his desire to switch over to MMA at some point stating that Coach Mendez and Khabib Nurmagomedov were both 100% willing to train him. Just recently Paul uploaded a video to social media of him practicing throwing leg kicks, leaving many followers speculating if we may see his MMA debut in 2022.

Fast forward to now, and this is what Mendez had to say about Jake Paul potentially making that switch one day.

“It could happen, but like anybody you know we have to go through all the coaches and all the fighters that are here, and anybody that’s a famous athlete like him they would go through the routine that anybody does so he would have to get voted by everybody, not everybody but if there’s one person, in particular, that doesn’t want him here for that particular reason he can’t be here so everyone would have to vote.”

Javier Mendez Open To Jake Paul Joining AKA

Although it appears Mendez is open to the idea of helping Paul and speaks very highly of the undefeated boxer, he knows nothing will come of these rumours just yet as Paul himself is still yet to ask to work together. It would also need the approval of everyone at AKA before Paul could join the ranks there.

“First of all, he’s never asked, what he’s done is he’s marketed himself out there beautifully, I love the plug he gave us, I think it’s a fantastic plug and I think he’s a fantastic person. And I think he markets himself fantastic, I love what he does. He creates interest, how can you not like a guy who creates interest. I sent him a text of encouragement and a heartfelt message.

“I felt like it was the right type of message to send because it was legit, and he gave me a great return in favour by talking about training with us, but the reality is no matter who you are, you could be the greatest fighter ever you still have to go through the team to get consent to train with us, so that’s what we’ve always done.

“He hasn’t been given consent because he hasn’t asked, it’s not that he won’t I don’t know, I just know he hasn’t asked and if he does get denied, he won’t know who denied him because we don’t say that we just say, you know it’s not meant for you at this time.”

Paul is yet to announce his next adventure in boxing with it seeming likely he will take some time off in 2022 given his hectic previous year. Is now the right time for him to try and make the switch?

How well do you think Jake Paul would in MMA?

Cesar Carneiro – MMA Coach

DOB: N/A Nickname: N/A Gym: MMA Masters Location: Miami, Florida Background: Capoeira, Muay Thai Notable Fighters: Colby Covington, Amanda Nunes, Ricardo Lamas, Anthony Rocco Martin, Illia Topuria, Nate Landwehr Cesar Carneiro begins learning Capoeira Cesar Carneiro grew up in Bahia, Brazil, where he first started learning Capoeira when he was 6 years old. He would […]

DOB: N/A
Nickname: N/A
Gym: MMA Masters
Location: Miami, Florida
Background: Capoeira, Muay Thai
Notable Fighters: Colby Covington, Amanda Nunes, Ricardo Lamas, Anthony Rocco Martin, Illia Topuria, Nate Landwehr

Cesar Carneiro begins learning Capoeira

Cesar Carneiro grew up in Bahia, Brazil, where he first started learning Capoeira when he was 6 years old. He would spend over the next 10 years of his life training this martial art.

Carneiro would learn under highly revered Capoeirista, Master Marcos Alabama. When Cesar was 17 years old, he graduated from Master Alabama’s school.

It wasn’t long after his graduation that Carneiro would become a master of Capoeira. His talent in this martial art would lead him to be offered a position in Oba-Oba. Who at the time was the largest show business organization within Brazil.

He would do multiple weekly shows in front of numerous spectators. Demonstrating his Capoeira abilities and earning many fans.

Cesar Carneiro learns Muay Thai and meets Jean Claude Van Damme

After spending some time doing shows for Oba-Oba, Carneiro would travel to Thailand to learn Muay Thai.

Cesar would dedicate his time in Thailand to training the art of Muay Thai everyday. He would then make his way to the United States and look to find work in the movie business.

His first role would be a small one as a Capoeira performer in the action movie “Only The Strong.” A story about a teacher in Miami turns his students’ life around by learning the art of Capoeira.

Carneiro would get another small role in a tv movie called Mortal Contact before getting his biggest role. Working with action star Jean Claude Van Damme in his movie called “The Quest.”

Cesar would play a Capoeira fighter in a tournament of fighters all across the world to see who’s the best.

After this role, Cesar would get a role in another film before getting mostly work in TV commercials.

Cesar Carneiro begins training fighters

During the early 2000s, Cesar began to get into training MMA fighters. He was living in Miami, Florida, which has always been a location that was known for producing top boxers.

Now with MMA starting to get popular, Carneiro began using his knowledge to coach students and fighters. He started to develop a reputation as a good coach and gradually started to increase his clientele.

Cesar Carneiro & Daniel Valverde opens MMA Masters

While training at different gyms in Miami, Carneiro would work with Daniel Valverde. Both were natives of Bahia in Brazil and instantly had a connection with one another.

Valverde was a highly decorated Judo black belt that had multiple big championships. He is also a BJJ black belt who has won numerous titles including the 2007 World No-Gi Masters Championships.

With Cariero’s striking and Valverde’s grappling, the two together would make an effective combination. The two decided to go into business together and they would open MMA Masters in the late 2000s.

A state of the art MMA facility that had everything that a fighter or martial arts student could need. Complete with a cage, large mat area, cardio equipment, weight room, locker rooms, and even a pro shot.

They had the knowledge, facility, and fantastic location to create one of Florida’s best training centers.

MMA Masters begins to grow

The partnership between Carneiro and Valverde was quite an effective combination from the beginning. Their gym began growing exponentially as they began developing fighters and growing their base of regular students.

Their fighters began making a name for themselves on the Florida MMA circuit and around neighboring states. Cesar and Daniel’s MMA Masters were progressively improving and their fighters continued to develop their skills.

MMA Masters fighters reach the UFC

Just a few years after opening their gym, Cesar Carneiro and Daniel Valverde’s fighters started to reach the UFC. Some of the first fighters that reached the UFC included Ricardo Lamas, Cezar Ferreira, Josh Samman, and Amanda Nunes.

As MMA Masters has grown, so has their number of fighters in the UFC and also the other big promotions.

Notable fighters

Cesar Carneiro and his crew have trained quite a few contenders since opening MMA Masters. Here are some of the most notable fighters that Carneiro has coached.

Colby Covington

We’ll start with the most recent addition to Carneiro’s stable with the controversial and talented Colby Covington.

Colby “Chaos” Covington reached the UFC after just 4 professional fights. Making his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 48 in just his 5th pro fight.

He would win his debut along with his next two fights before suffering the first loss of his career. After that loss, Colby began evolving into a top tier fighter.

Then to get more attention, Covington developed the persona that most know him for now. A brash trash talking conservative that is a pro Trump supporter. This got him the attention he wanted as he continued his winning streak.

Covington would earn a title shot against Kamaru Usman and have a fight of the night performance in a loss. The loss didn’t keep him quiet as he continued to stir controversy.

Colby would actually start a feud with teammate Jorge Masvidal. This bad blood would lead Covington to exit the gym and begin training with Cesar Carneiro.

As he is going into his rematch with Usman, Covington has praised his new gym and coach Carneiro.

Amanda Nunes

The greatest women’s MMA fighter of all time Amanda Nunes trained at MMA Masters for a brief time. From 2012 to 2014 after she moved to Florida from New Jersey.

During her time training with Carneiro, Nunes would go 3-2 in 5 fights. Most notably beating Germaine de Randamie for the first time and suffering her last loss to Cat Zingano.

She would then move to American Top Team and develop into the GOAT of women’s MMA.

Ricardo Lamas

Ricardo “The Bully” Lamas was one of Carneiro’s first fighters to make it to the UFC. He came over to the UFC from the merger with the WEC.

Debuting in 2011 against Matt Grice, which he would win by 1st round TKO. Lamas would continue finding success as he won his next three fights against top contenders. Which included a submission win over Cub Swanson and a TKO win over Eric Koch.

This would set him up for his own title shot against Jose Aldo, which he would lose by unanimous decision. Ricardo would go 4-2 in his next 6 fights after the title fight loss.

Fighting the best in the world that included Chad Mendes, Diego Sanches, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira.

Lamas would win the last match of his career beating Bill Algeo by decision. Ending a good career with a record of 20-8.

Anthony Rocco Martin

Anthony Rocco Martin has been a perennial contender in the UFC Welterweight division for the last 7 years. He would have a rocky start to his UFC run going 1-3 in his first 4 fights.

Martin would save his UFC run and win his next three fights before losing a split decision to Olivier Aubin-Mercier. But he would bounce back to win 4 straight before losing a decision to Demain Maia.

Rocco Martin is now looking to get back in the win column after dropping a decision to Neil Magny.

Illia Topuria

One of Carneiro’s most promising fighters as of now is undefeated Spaniard Illia “El Matador” Topuria. Illia would dominate in his first 6 fights before entering the UFC with all 6 wins being finishes.

The Matador would make his UFC debut in 2020 on a UFC Fight Night card. Beating Youssef Zala by unanimous decision.

He would then brutally stop veteran Damon Jackson in his 2nd UFC match on another Fight Night card. Then he would face the boogeyman of the lightweight division no one wanted to face in Ryan Hall.

Topuria would become the first person to stop Ryan Hall and improve his record to 10-0. Illia is currently 3-0 in the UFC and is looking to make waves in the lightweight division.

Cesar Carneiro’s legacy

Cesar Carneiro has certainly lived a very interesting life. He became a Capoeira master at an early age and used his abilities to travel the world.

Getting to be in movies and then opening his own MMA gym with MMA Masters. Carneiro has created quite a large stable of MMA fighters that fight in every major promotion in the world.

He has worked with some of the best fighters in the world and could soon have world champions in his stable. Only time will tell, but Carneiro will no doubt continue finding success as an MMA coach.

Randy Couture

DOB: June 22nd, 1963 Nickname: The Natural Gym: Team Quest(1999-2006), Xtreme Couture Location: Las Vegas, Nevasa Martial Arts Background: Wrestling/MMA Martial Arts Record: 19-11 Notable Fighters: Forrest Griffin, Vitor Beltfort, Miesha Tate, Francis Ngannou Randy Couture’s start in wrestling Randy “The Natural” Couture grew up in Everett, Washington and grew up wrestling from an early […]

DOB: June 22nd, 1963
Nickname: The Natural
Gym: Team Quest(1999-2006), Xtreme Couture
Location: Las Vegas, Nevasa
Martial Arts Background: Wrestling/MMA
Martial Arts Record: 19-11
Notable Fighters: Forrest Griffin, Vitor Beltfort, Miesha Tate, Francis Ngannou

Randy Couture’s start in wrestling

Randy “The Natural” Couture grew up in Everett, Washington and grew up wrestling from an early age. He was one of the top wrestlers in the state from the time he started in middle school.

In high school, he would win the state championship. Then from college, he would enlist in the US Army and stay there from 1982-1988.

In the Army, Couture would also take up boxing while he was serving. After going through basic he signed up for freestyle wrestling team, but a clerical error put him in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Even though he never wrestled Greco-Roma style, he still made the team. Then after being discharged in 1988, Randy signed up at Oklahoma State University. Becoming a walk on with their wrestling team.

During his college career wrestling, Randy would nearly make the US Olympic team on 4 different occasions. Also a 3 time All American.

Randy Couture’s early MMA career

Randy would make his MMA debut on UFC 13 on three weeks’ notice as part of a 4 man heavyweight tournament. In his debut, he beat Tony Halme by RNC in a minute of the first round.

Then in his 2nd match he would beat Steven Graham by his patented ground n pound to win the tournament. His next fight would be at UFC 15, 5 months later against Vitor Belfort.

A fight that he would again win by TKO to become the #1 contender for the heavyweight championship. He would face the champion Maurice Smith at UFC Japan and beat him by decision. Earning his first UFC championship.

Although it would be short lived as he would drop the title due to contractual disputes.

Randy Couture helps found Team Quest

Randy Couture’s first time owning and coaching an MMA gym was helping co-found the legendary Team Quest in Gresham, Oregon. He along with UFC legend Dan Henderson opened Team Quest in 1999.

It was one of the earliest MMA gyms in the country with many of their fighters having a base in wrestling. Randy along with Henderson would help train some of the top sports fighters from 1999-2006.

During this time Randy would help train Henderson for his fights along with Matt Lindland, Chael Sonnen, and Nate Quarry.

Randy Couture wins the UFC Heavyweight Title

After Couture and the UFC made amends with their contract dispute, he would make his return. Fighting for the heavyweight title again against Kevin Randleman. Winning the title in the 3rd round by ground and pound.

He would defend the title twice against Pedro Rizzo after losing to Valentijn Overeem at the Rings promotion in Japan.

The natural would then drop two straight UFC fights. Losing his title to Josh Barnett and again to Ricco Rodriguez.(Josh Barnett was stripped after a positive drug test.)

Randy Couture’s move to light heavyweight

Couture would move to the light heavyweight division after his two losses. Facing Chuck Liddell for the interim UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.

He would dominate the iceman in his light heavyweight debut and win the interim title by ground and pound. In his next match, Couture would become the undisputed champion by beating Tito Ortiz.

Randy would then have his 2nd and 3rd fight against Vitor Belfort. Losing his title due to a cut in the first and getting his title back by doctor stoppage in the 3rd round.

Randy Couture coaches on TUF 1

The natural was the very first coach on the Ultimate Fighter. Members of his team consisted of Stephan Bonnar, Kenny Florian, Chris Leben, Nate Quarry, and Mike Swick.

Of his team, Bonnar, and Florian would make it to the finals of the competition. Both losing the finals.

In the pay per view after the finals, Couture would lose by KO and lose his title. After losing the third fight with Liddell, Couture would retire from MMA for the first time.

Randy Couture opens Xtreme Couture

In 2006, Randy Couture would open his own MMA gym, Xtreme Couture. One of the first state of the art MMA gyms to ever be built in the heart of Las Vegas.

This was the perfect place for Randy to put his gym since the UFC held most of their events in Vegas. Couture would hire some of the world’s best MMA trainers to oversee his gym. He would also have a hand in training some of the gym’s top fighters.

The gym has had its ups and downs, but it is still one of the best MMA gyms in the world.

Randy Couture’s comeback

Couture would only stay retired for a year before coming back to fight at heavyweight. He would face the champion Tim Sylvia and shock the world with a dominant decision win. Earning his 4th UFC title.

The natural would defend his title one time against Gabriel Gonzaga before losing it to Brock Lesnar. Then after losing to Minotauro, he would return to the light heavyweight division.

Going 3-1 and then retired again in 2011 after losing to Lyoto Machida.

Notable fighters

Randy has had a hand in helping some of the best fighters in the world become champions. Here are some of the most notable fighters that have trained at his gym.

Forrest Griffin

Forrest Griffin was on team Liddell during the TUF 1 season, but ended training with Couture at Xtreme Couture. Before getting on The Ultimate Fighter, Griffin went 9-2 on smaller MMA promotions.

Then he would earn his way onto the first season of The Ultimate Fighter. He would reach the finals and have an epic fight with Stephan Bonnar. Winning the first Ultimate Fighter tournament.

He would join Randy at Xtreme Couture when it opened in 2006 and stayed there throughout his career. In his time with the gym, Graffiti would go 7-4 in 6 years.

The high point was winning the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Rampage Jackson at UFC 86.

Vitor Belfort

Once rivals, Vitor Belfort would become a member of Randy’s gym. Belfort joined Xtreme Couture in 2008 and it helped lead to a resurgence in his career.

After 2 KO wins, Belfort would have his third tour with the UFC. In his 3rd run, Belfort would go 8-6 and 1 no contest before being released from the promotion. During this run, he nearly won two world titles during this time and is now looking to make a comeback.

Miesha Tate

The best female fighter to ever fight out of Xtreme Couture is Miesha Tate. Before getting into MMA, Tate was an amateur wrestler in the state of Washington.

This wrestling and Washington connection would make the transition to MMA easy for Tate. She would travel to Xtreme Couture and begin her MMA training.

She would go 8-2 in her first 10 bouts before fighting for the promotion Strikeforce. Tate would win her first 4 fights in the promotion with the 4th won earning the bantamweight championship.

Then she would go 1-3 in her next 4 fights with 2 being her first fights in the UFC. Miesha would then win 4 straight to earn a title shot against Holly Holm.

In the fight, Tate was a heavy underdog, but would put Holm to sleep in the 5th with an RNC. Cupcake would lose the title to Amanda Nunes and then another to Raquel Pennington before retiring for 5 years.

Tate would make her comeback in 2021, beating Marion Reneau by TKO.

Francis Ngannou

The latest member of Xtreme Couture is the current UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou. Before he began training at Randy Couture’s gym, Ngannou was already the most feared fighter in the UFC.

Going 11-3 with all of his wins by KO or submission. When Ngannou came to Xtreme Couture, he was on a three fight skid and needed to find himself again.

Once he began training with Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick helped turn his career around. Since then, Francis the KO artist has returned with 5 straight knockouts. All of which came in the first or second round.

The last win would be avenging a loss to Stipe Miocic by KO to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

Randy Couture’s legacy

Randy “The Natural” Couture is one of the greatest UFC fighters that have ever lived. Winning 4 UFC titles and earning his rightful place in the UFC Hall of Fame.

Then on top of being an accomplished MMA fighter, Couture is also an accomplished MMA coach. Having founded elite MMA gyms in Team Quest and Xtreme Couture.

Couture’s gym has been open for 15 years and is constantly one of the best gyms in the world.

Sayif Saud

DOB: September 5th, 1980 Nickname: Smash Gym: Fortis MMA Location: Dallas, TX Martial Arts Background: Judo/Karate Martial Arts Record(s): 3-0(MMA) Notable Fighters: Macy Chiasson, Geoff Neal, Diego Ferreira, Uriah Hall Sayif Saud’s early martial arts experience Sayif Saud started his martial arts journey at the age of 3 learning Shorin-Ryu Karate from his father. Saud […]

DOB: September 5th, 1980
Nickname: Smash
Gym: Fortis MMA
Location: Dallas, TX
Martial Arts Background: Judo/Karate
Martial Arts Record(s): 3-0(MMA)
Notable Fighters: Macy Chiasson, Geoff Neal, Diego Ferreira, Uriah Hall

Sayif Saud’s early martial arts experience

Sayif Saud started his martial arts journey at the age of 3 learning Shorin-Ryu Karate from his father. Saud practically grew up in martial arts gyms and training has always been a part of his life.

During his time learning under his father, Sayif would win 4 national titles at the USKK Nationals. His father would award him with his black belt at the 1997 national championship.

At the same time, Saud was also a high level competitor in Judo. Winning two Texas state titles to go along with his championships in Karate.

Sayif Saud’s time in college

After graduating from high school, Saud would take a break from competing and focus on his academics. Graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington with a political science degree. Then Sayif would attend law school at Indiana University’s law school in Indianapolis.

During this time, Saud would also get into the competitive bodybuilding scene. Winning several competitions and was featured on a few different bodybuilding magazines.

Even though Saud would accomplish all of these things his passion was still with martial arts.

Sayif Saud trains at Jackson-Wink MMA

Sayif’s passion for martial arts led him to want to be a competitor with the ultimate goal of being a coach. This led him to grow, train and learn under Greg Jackson at Jackson-Wink MMA from 2006-2009.

He would sit under the learning tree of the Jackson-Wink coaching staff during this time. Learning every facet of MMA from some of the world’s best coaches.

Saud would learn game planning and philosophy with Greg Jackson and amateur wrestling with UFC vet Mike Van Arsdale. During this time, Saud would also try his hand at competing at MMA and grappling.

Nicknamed “Smash”, Saud would go undefeated as an amateur and win numerous grappling competitions. Including a 2nd place finish at Grapplers Quest.

Sayif would then make his pro MMA debut and have 3 fights from 2007-2008. Going 3-0 during this time with two wins by submission and TKO.

Unfortunately for Saud, he would suffer a career ending injury that would force him to stop competing. He would spend one more year learning under Jackson’s camp before moving off on his own.

Sayif Saud’s time at Octagon MMA

Sayif would move back to his home in Dallas in 2009 and begin coaching at Octagon MMA. In the 5+ years Saud was the head coach, Saud made Octagon MMA one of the premiere gyms in Texas.

He would coach his team to a 40-5 record in 2011 and incrementally grow the gym every year he was there. Also winning numerous local and state MMA awards for his accomplishments at the gym.

Sayif Saud opens Fortis MMA

In 2015, Saud had accomplished everything he could at Octagon MMA and wanted to open his own place. He would partner with ex Dallas Maverick player and his student Deron Williams.

The two would invest in a state of the art MMA training center that would open in Deep Ellum. Around the downtown club district of Dallas.

From there, Saud would begin building an up and coming world class MMA team. Starting on smaller promotions, Saud would build his team to over a dozen UFC fighters.

His approach is very simple and very team oriented. Saud pushes his fighters hard in training, while also pushing the importance of team first.

He demands that his fighters stay in the gym constantly to stay ready and help their teammates. This is the only way he feels that his team can continue to progress and for his fighters to evolve.

It appears to be a winning strategy as his roster of UFC fighters has dramatically increased. As of now, Fortis MMA has over 5 fighters in the top 15 of different UFC divisions.

From the success the gym has had, it only appears that this number will go up in the future.

Notable Fighters

Coach Saud has grown his team into quite a respectable group of MMA fighters. Here are some of his more notable fighters that are currently in the UFC.

Geoff Neal

Geoff “Handz of Steel” Neal has become one of the most exciting prospects in the UFC’s welterweight division. He is a Texas native that played football before transitioning to MMA

Neal would play college football at Texas Lutheran University before quitting the program to pursue an MMA career. Saud would train Neal at Octagon MMA and has been with him ever since.

As an amateur, Neal would go 8-2 and win amateur titles before going pro. In 2012, he made his pro debut in the welterweight division and won by RNC in the first round.

Geoff would compete within smaller promotions from 2012-2017 as a welterweight and pro. Going 7-2 during this run before being invited to compete on Dana White’s Contender Series.

He would win his match at the event by TKO to earn a contract with the UFC. Then upon entering the promotion, Neal would go on a tear in the welterweight division.

Going a stellar 5-0 in his first five fights with the promotion. This includes wins over Belal Muhammad and two incredible TKO wins ove Niko Price and Mike Perry.

Since then Neal has dropped to tough decision losses to Stephen Thompson and Neil Magny. He is currently looking to get back in the win column and continue his hunt for a title shot.

Macy Chiasson

Macy Chiasson is currently the #11 ranked fighter in the UFC women’s bantamweight division. Before Chiasson got into MMA, she played softball in high school.

But at 19, she would get injured in a severe car accident and look to MMA training to help her recover. Macy would begin attending Krav Maga classes at Triumph Krav Maga to help with her rehab.

She loved the aggression and physicality of training, so began training more and wanted to compete in MMA. This would lead her to move to MidCity MMA in New Orleans, Louisiana to begin her MMA training.

After fighting as an amateur for a few years, she would make her pro debut in 2017. Going 2-0 in her first two fights.

Chiasson would then get invited on the Ultimate Fighter Season 28. On the show, she would win both of her fights by TKO to make it to the finals at the TUF: Heavy Hitters finale.

Macy would win in the finals against Pannie Kianzad to earn a UFC contract. She would continue to impress and win her next two fights by TKO. Putting her right in the top ten of the division.

She would suffer her first loss in 2019 against Lina Lansberg, but has since bounced back with two wins. Chiasson has shown to be among the best in the division and will continue to improve.

Carlos Diego Ferreira

The Brazilian UFC veteran has been competing in MMA and Jiu Jitsu for a long time. He began training Jiu Jitsu when he was ten years old and won numerous tournaments as a kid and teen.

Ferreira would move to the US in 2008 to take his shot at becoming a BJJ champion. In competitions, Ferreira would do well, but never good enough to become a champion.

So to make a living off of Jiu Jitsu, he opened his own academy in Pharr, Texas. At the same time, Carlos also started taking MMA fights.

From 2011-2013, Carlos would go 9-0 and win two titles for two different promotions. This was capped off by beating MMA veteran Jorge Patino.

He would then make his debut in the UFC in 2014 and beat Colton Smith by RNC. Carlos would impress again in his second UFC fight before losing 2 straight. One to top 5 lightweight Beneil Darush and former interim champ Dustin Poirier.

Ferriera would bounce back from these two losses and go on a 6 fight win streak. The last being a submission win over former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.

Since then, Ferriera lost a rematch to Darush and a TKO loss to Gregor Gillespie. Currently with a record of 17-4 Ferreira is looking to get back into the win column.

Uriah Hall

One of the latest members of Fortis MMA is perennial UFC middleweight contender Uriah Hall. Uriah has had a long MMA career and has been a fan favorite since his famous spin kick KO in TUF.

Since joining Fortis MMA with coach Saud, Hall is 3-1 with 2 TKO wins. Hall seems to have revived his career training under Saud and will look for another good run.

Sayif Saud’s legacy

At only 41 years old Saud has created a very respectable MMA gym in his home of Dallas, Texas. Fortis MMA is home to nearly 20 UFC fighters and even more upcoming fighters.

The gym has won many regional MMA titles, but are still searching for their first UFC title. A goal that Saud and his team will look to accomplish in the future.