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Eric Del Fierro

DOB: Gym: Alliance MMALocation: Chula Vista, CaliforniaMartial Arts Background: MMANotable Fighters: Dominick Cruz, Brandon Vera, Jan Blachowicz, Phil Davis, Cat Zingano How Eric Del Fierro helped create Alliance MMA Eric Del Fierro has been the head coach of Alliance MMA since they opened their doors in 2007. He was coaching founder Brandon Vera at another gym […]

DOB:
Gym: Alliance MMA
Location: Chula Vista, California
Martial Arts Background: MMA
Notable Fighters: Dominick Cruz, Brandon Vera, Jan Blachowicz, Phil Davis, Cat Zingano

How Eric Del Fierro helped create Alliance MMA

Eric Del Fierro has been the head coach of Alliance MMA since they opened their doors in 2007. He was coaching founder Brandon Vera at another gym called City Boxing.(No relation to City Kickboxing in New Zealand.

San Diego has been an epicenter for BJJ and MMA and it was the place Vera wanted to open a gym. The man he wanted to run the school was Eric Del Fierro.

Vera knew that Del Fierro knew what it took to help take fighters to the top of the spot. This move of making Eric head coach turned Alliance MMA into an elite level MMA gym.

Around a hundred fighters or more have been coached by Del Fierro at Alliance MMA. A good amount of them fought in the sport’s top organizations and won their championships.

Eric Del Fierro the quiet captain

There honestly isn’t much on the internet about Alliance MMA head coach Del Fierro and he probably prefers it that way.

Earlier on when Alliance MMA was starting to get big, Del Fierro would rarely do interviews. Eric prefers to let his fighters take the spotlight, while he stays in the background and keeps working.

This formula of staying quiet and working hard has more than paid off. The success of Del Fierro’s fighters speaks for him.

Many of the world’s best fighters like Dominick Cruz and Phil Davis entrusted Eric to run their fight camps. With Del Fierro at the helm, Alliance MMA has been one of the most prominent fight gyms in the world.

Many MMA champions and even more top level MMA fighters call Alliance MMA home.

Notable fighters

Del Fierro has coached a who’s who of MMA fighters in his 20+ years of coaching. He has coached the likes of Dominick Cruz, Phil Davis, Brandon Vera, Jan Blachowicz, and Cat Zingano.

Dominick Cruz

One of the most decorated fighters that Del Fierro has coached is former 2x UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz. He is arguably one of the greatest bantamweight fighters of all time.

Before winning titles in the UFC, Cruz made his name at World Extreme Cagefighting. In the WEC, Cruz would win 7 of his 8 fights in the promotions.

He would be the last WEC champion and defended his title twice before the company merged into the UFC. His title would turn into the UFC bantamweight championship.

Dominick would win his first two fights in the UFC and defend his belt. Unfortunately Cruz would suffer a severe knee injury and be forced to vacate his title.

It would take Cruz over three years to make his comeback, but he made his return in 2014. Delivering a phenomenal KO of veteran Takeya Mizguki.

Then Cruz would suffer a second severe knee injury and be shelved for another two years. In 2016, Cruz would make his 2nd comeback in a title bout with champion TJ Dillashaw.

It would be a fantastic fight that Cruz would come out on top and be the first 2x UFC bantamweight champion.

Cruz would unfortunately lose his title in his next fight and be shelved for 4 years with another knee injury.

Brandon Vera

The founder of Alliance MMA that brought Del Fierro in to run the school is Brandon ‘the truth’ Vera. Brandon was already 8-0 before he and Del Fierro would start Alliance MMA.

Brandon was a rising start in the sport when the UFC was just starting to explode in popularity. Although he would gradually start declining after his first loss to Tim Sylvia in 2007.

Vera would go 8-7 in his 8 years with the UFC before deciding to go fight for the Asian MMA promotion One FC.

In One FC, Vera being Filipino became a superstar fighting in the Philippines. He would win the promotion’s heavyweight title and defend it twice before losing two fights in a row. With the last loss ending his 6 year reign as champion.

Phil Davis

Mr. Wonderful Phil Davis has been working with Del Fierro at Alliance MMA since transitioning to the sport in 2008. In just one year of training, Davis was 4-0 and in the UFC.

He would win his first 5 fights with the organization, which included victories over Alexander Gustafsson and Brian Stann. Davis would drop his first loss to Rashad Evans and wouldn’t lose again for another two years.

After going 9-3 in the UFC, Davis decided to test free agency and would sign with Bellator MMA in 2015. In his first Bellator show, Davis would win a 4 man tournament winning two fights in one night. Earning him a shot at the promotion’s light heavyweight title.

Phil would dominate champion Liam McGeary to win his only major MMA title. Davis would then drop the title in another his second loss to Ryan Bader.

Since signing with Bellator Davis has gone 9-3 with the promotion and will look to win the title again.

Eric Del Fierro’s legacy

The success of Alliance MMA since it opened in 2007, shows just how good of a coach Del Fierro is. As head coach, Del Fierro has helped lead multiple fighters to becoming world champions.

With Alliance MMA expanding to multiple gyms across the world, Del Fierro’s stable of fighters have grown with it. Eric now coaches fighters from around the world and around top fighters in all of the major MMA promotions.

Andre Pederneiras

DOB: March 22nd, 1967Gym: Nova UniaoLocation: Rio de Janeiro, BrazilMartial Arts Background: Jiu JitsuMMA Record: 1-1Notable Fighters: Jose Aldo, Renan Barao, Eduardo Dantes, BJ Penn Pederneiras’ beginnings in martial arts André “Dede” Pederneiras was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and got into Jiu Jitsu when he was 17. Initially, Pederneiras joined Upper Sports Clube […]

DOB: March 22nd, 1967
Gym: Nova Uniao
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Martial Arts Background: Jiu Jitsu
MMA Record: 1-1
Notable Fighters: Jose Aldo, Renan Barao, Eduardo Dantes, BJ Penn

Pederneiras’ beginnings in martial arts

André “Dede” Pederneiras was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and got into Jiu Jitsu when he was 17. Initially, Pederneiras joined Upper Sports Clube to lift weights, but since Jiu Jitsu was offered with a membership, he started training.

Rodrigo Vieira was his professor and a black belt under Carlson Gracie. Dede immediately became passionate about Jiu Jitsu and would train constantly.

He would train with Viera up until he was a brown belt until Vieira took a job offer at a bigger academy. Dede would be without a coach for a short period until Carlson Gracie himself. Also offering him a job to teach the kids at his academy.

5 years later after he started Jiu Jitsu, André would receive his black belt from Carlson Gracie.

Pederneiras opens his own academy

After receiving his black belt, Dede would open his own Jiu Jitsu academy, but would face adversity. His students would be successful in competition, but they would never win a team tournament due to being a small school.

Large BJJ schools like Gracie Barra with their sheer numbers would always win team awards at competitions.

Pederneiras co-founder of Nova União

Dede would befriend another small gym owner named Wendel Alexander. The two would decide to join forces against the bigger school and would form the affiliation Nova Uniao.(New Union in english)

Andre would face backlash from Brazilians during the 90s as he was one of the first to start training foreigners. Two of his first foreign students would include John Lewis and BJ Penn.

His student BJ Penn was the first non Brazilian to win a BJJ world championship.

Pederneiras begins coaching MMA

During the late 90s when MMA was getting popular, Dede started coaching and training in the sport. André himself would compete in two fights going 1-1 before becoming a full time coach.

Nova Uniao would also split between MMA and BJJ training. Wendell would take over the BJJ side of the affiliation, while Dede ran the MMA side.

He would be the head MMA coach for 21 years before stepping down as head coach in 2018. In that time, André would train 3 MMA world champions and numerous top level fighters.

Notable fighters

Dede has been coaching MMA fighters since the late 90s and has built a successful and extensive resume. Some of the top fighters he trained include BJ Penn, Jose Aldo, Renan Barao, and Eduardo Dantes.

BJ Penn

“The prodigy” BJ Penn was one of the greatest MMA and BJJ practitioners of all time. He became obsessed with BJJ and dedicated his life to it.

So much so that he would reach the level of black in just over 3 years from Pederneiras. In this time, BJ would also become the first american to win a BJJ world championship.

After winning a world championship in Jiu Jitsu, BJ turned his attention to MMA. He would go right into the UFC going 6-1-1 in his first run with the promotion.

This included going up a weight class and beating welterweight champion Matt Hughes. Penn would fight 4 fights with K-1 MMA before coming back to the UFC.

When BJ would return he would have two fights at welterweight before the lightweight division was brought back. He would fight his way to the championship and win the title against Sean Sherk.

Becoming the first UFC fighter to ever hold titles in two different weight classes. BJ would defend his title 3 times before losing it to Frankie Edgar.

Jose Aldo

Arguably the greatest student of Pederneiras and one of the all time great fighters is Jose Aldo. He started fighting when he was just 17 and was destined for greatness.

Aldo would reach the WEC when he was just 20 years old with a record of 10-1. From 2006 on, Aldo would go unbeaten for almost a decade.

Winning the WEC featherweight title and retaining it until the promotion merged into the UFC. Once in the UFC his title was changed to the UFC featherweight title and would continue his dominance.

Defending his title before losing it to Conor McGregor in 2015. Jose went through a rough patch for a few years, but has found new life in the bantamweight division.

Renan Barao

The other UFC champion that Dede trained was former bantamweight champion Renan Barao. For a short time Barao looked like he would be the bantamweight equivalent to Jose Aldo.

Winning his 2 WEC fights and continuing his winning ways once he moved to the UFC. He would decisively win his first UFC fights before beating Urijah Faber for the championship.

Barao would defend his title three times before losing his title to underdog TJ Dillashaw. This loss along with UFC’s new drug policy would mark the downside of Renan’a career. Going 2-8 in his last 10 fights before being released.

Pederneiras’ legacy

André Pederneiras is responsible for building one of the biggest powerhouses in MMA from the ground up. In his 21 years as head of Nova Uniao, André would train 3 UFC champions and numerous top level MMA talent.

As of 2018, Pederneiras stepped down as head coach of Nova Uniao. He purchased his first academy Upper Arena and wanted to realize his vision for the gym.

Which was to create a neutral MMA gym, where top level fighters in MMA from different affiliations can train together. Free of the gym politics that comes with different affiliations. Dede will look to continue training the next crop of fighters from his gym in Rio.

Ray Longo

DOB: N/AGym: Serra-Longo MMALocation: Long Island, New YorkMartial Arts Background: Boxing, Jeet Kune Do, JudoNotable Fighters: Matt Serra, Chris Weidman, Al Iaquinta Ray Longo’s beginnings in martial arts The New York native Ray Longo has been training in various martial arts since he was a kid. One of the first martial arts that Longo took […]

DOB: N/A
Gym: Serra-Longo MMA
Location: Long Island, New York
Martial Arts Background: Boxing, Jeet Kune Do, Judo
Notable Fighters: Matt Serra, Chris Weidman, Al Iaquinta

Ray Longo’s beginnings in martial arts

The New York native Ray Longo has been training in various martial arts since he was a kid. One of the first martial arts that Longo took up was boxing.

He loved the sport and the training, but Longo would focus more on his education than a fighting career. Ray would graduate from St John’s with an accounting degree, but would still train and later coach fighters.

During the day, Ray would work a normal job and at night would run his gym, Longo’s International Martial Arts Academy. Training his students in a variety of martial arts from Jeet Kune Do, boxing, and grappling.

Longo meets Matt Serra

Longo met UFC veteran Matt Serra at a Judo school when Serra was just 17 years old. They became immediate friends and Longo would invite Serra to his gym to train striking.

Matt was a young aspiring fighter, so Longo would become his trainer. Their friendship has lasted 30 years first as a fighter and coach and then business partners.

Serra-Longo Fight Team

A year after Matt Serra received his black belt from Renzo Gracie, he and Longo would open a gym together. Serra-Longo Fight Team located in Long Island, New York.

Together Longo and Serra would grow their academy and become the best martial arts school in the Long Island area.

Ray Longo the MMA coach

Ray Longo has been cornering MMA fighters like business partner Matt Serra since the mid 90s.

In 2007, Longo began getting recognition after Matt Serra pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. Knocking out Georges St Pierre to become the UFC welterweight champion.

Serra credited his longtime coach Longo for coming up with the game plan to take out GSP. Ray would get more spotlight on season 6 of The Ultimate Fighter as an assistant coach for Matt Serra.

6 years later, Longo would help orchestrate another one of the greatest upsets in UFC history. Chris Weidman would KO Anderson Silva at UFC 163 to end the greatest title reign ever in MMA.

Notable fighters

In nearly 40 years of being a trainer, Longo has worked with some of the world’s best fighters. Including Matt Serra, Chris Weidman, Al Iaquinta, and Aljamain Sterling.

Matt Serra

One of Longo’s first fighters was longtime friend and business partner Matt Serra. At first, Serra would meet Longo and train together at a judo school in New York.

Longo would soon become Serra’s striking coach at the same time he would train BJJ with Renzo Gracie.

Serra would win his first four MMA fights with the help of Longo. During this time, Serra would also earn his BJJ black belt from Renzo Gracie and open a martial arts school with Long. Serra-Longo Fight team.

Matt would have his first stint in the UFC going 4-4 in his first 8 fights. He would then be offered a spot on the comeback season of TUF.

After beating Chris Lytle in the finals, Serra would earn his title shot against champion Georges St Pierre. With the help of Longo, Serra would shock the world by stopping GSP in the first round to become champion.

It would be the highlight of Serra’s career as he would go 1-3 before retiring from fighting. Today, he still runs his successful school with Longo, as well as hosting his own podcast and various MMA shows.

Chris Weidman

Like with Serra, Ray Longo has been working with Chris Weidman since he got into the sport. Weidman would become one of the most talented fighters if not the most talented that Longo has worked with.

He would enter the UFC after just 4 fights and win his first 5 fights in the promotion. 3 of 5 of those wins were finishes with 3 of those wins coming against top 10 fighters in the division.

This win streak would put him against champion Anderson Silva. The odds were against Weidman, but he would pull off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.

Stopping one of the greatest champions of all time in the 2nd round to become middleweight champion. Chris would defend his title 3 times before losing it to Luke Rockhold.

Aljamain Sterling

The third fighter that Longo helped train to a world title with Matt Serra was bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling .

Sterling is a native New Yorker that wrestled in college with Jon Jones. He was initially encouraged by Jones to get into MMA after his wrestling career was done.

After training with the BombSquad before going to train at Serra-Longo Fight Team. Together, they would go 8-0 before Sterling would make it to the UFC in 2014

Aljamain would win his first 4 fights in the UFC before taking the first two losses of his career. After those losses, Sterling would go 2-1 and then go on a 5 fight winning streak.

His last fight with Longo and Serra in his corner would earn him a first round submission win. After leaving Serra and Longo, Sterling would win the bantamweight championship by DQ.

Ray Longo’s legacy

Ray Longo has done it all as a MMA coach. He has been part of two of the biggest upsets in MMA history and has coached 3 UFC champions;

Longo along with Serra are two of the most liked coaches in all of MMA and Jiu Jitsu. For over 40 years, Longo has proven he is one of the best trainer’s in the business.

He now runs a martial arts academy with Chris Weidman along with being the head trainer at Serra-Longo Fight Team.

Duke Roufus

DOB: February 17, 1970Gym: RoufusportLocation: Milwaukee, WisconsinMartial Arts Background: KickboxingKickboxing Record: 36-8-1Boxing Record: 2-0Notable Fighters: Anthony Pettis, Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren Duke Roufus’ beginnings in martial arts The Wisconsin native Jeffrey Ryan “Duke” Roufus grew up training in martial arts. He is the brother of pro fighter Rick Roufus, so naturally Duke would also take […]

DOB: February 17, 1970
Gym: Roufusport
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Martial Arts Background: Kickboxing
Kickboxing Record: 36-8-1
Boxing Record: 2-0
Notable Fighters: Anthony Pettis, Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren

Duke Roufus’ beginnings in martial arts

The Wisconsin native Jeffrey Ryan “Duke” Roufus grew up training in martial arts. He is the brother of pro fighter Rick Roufus, so naturally Duke would also take the path of being a fighter.

Roufus’ first martial art was Taekwondo, which he won numerous titles in. Also earning a 4th degree black belt in the martial art.

After training in Taekwondo, Roufus would then get into full contact kickboxing. Training in american kickboxing and later in Muay Thai.

Duke Roufus’ time as a fighter

In the 90s, Roufus would compete around the world in various promotions the WKA, K-1, IKF, WAKO, and KICK. Winning numerous belts within most of these promotions, except within K-1.

Initially Roufus would retire in 2002, but made a comeback in 2005 and had two more fights before retiring again.

Upon retiring Roufus ended his career with a pro kickboxing record of 36-8-1 and 2-0 in boxing.

Roufus opens Roufusport

A year before retiring in 2006, Duke would open his own martial arts school Roufusport. At first, Roufus would open his school in his father’s basement before finding a space to rent out.

He would first grow a kickboxing team, but then started taking on MMA fighters to train. Roufus started getting recognition as a top trainer as many of his fighters were part of the UFC and WEC.

One of his first students was the young Anthony Pettis that made huge waves at a young age in the sport.

Roufusport gains international recognition

With the sport of MMA exploding in popularity, gyms like Roufusport did along with it. Duke’s gym became home to many of the best fighters in the world.

Everyone from champions in MMA, kickboxing, and Olympic wrestling competitors. Roufusport became highly touted as a hard nose gym full of fighters that trained hard.

Duke Roufus is a constant fixture at big MMA events and is constantly cornering at UFC, Bellator, and PFL events. To this date, Roufus has helped train around 10 MMA world champions and counting.

Notable fighters

Since Duke Roufus opened Roufusport in 2006 his gym has been home to a laundry list of well known fighters. This list includes names like Anthony Pettis, Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren, and Sergio Pettis.

Anthony Pettis

At one point, Anthony Pettis was the most famous MMA fighter on the planet. Since his start in MMA, he has trained under Duke Roufus at Roufusport.

Pettis started getting the attention of fight fans in the WEC, where he won the promotion’s lightweight title. Most known for bouncing off the cage and dropping Benson Henderson. A kick that is still played on numerous highlight videos.

After this match, the WEC would merge into the UFC. Pettis was a highly touted prospect going into the UFC, but his debut was spoiled by veteran Clay Guida.

Anthony would quickly bounce back winning 3 straight fights to earn a title shot. During this time, Pettis also became a business partner with Roufus and became a co-owner of Roufusport.

He would then achieve his dream of holding UFC gold by beating Benson Henderson again by armbar. Pettis became the poster boy for the UFC and was spotlighted on ESPN.

In his successful title defense, he would beat Gilbert Melendez by guillotine choke before losing the belt to Rafael dos Anjos.

Since losing his title, Pettis has been on the rough side of his career going 6-10 in his last 16 fights.

Tyron Woodley

The former Strikeforce and UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley moved to Roufusport later in his career. He claims it was actually his son’s idea to move to Milwaukee and train with Duke Roufus.

It would turn out to be a potent combo as it would lead Woodley to a shot at the UFC welterweight title. He would knock out the popular Robbie Lawler in the first round to win the title.

Woodley would go on to defend his title 4 times with his best performance being a submission win over Darren Till.

He would then lose the title to Kamaru Usman and drop his last 4 fights before being released.

Ben Askren

For over a decade, Askren was considered one of the greatest welterweight fighters on the planet. After finishing his wrestling career, Askren went right into MMA and made his home at Roufusport with Duke.

After just 3 fights, Askren was added to the Bellator season 3 welterweight tournament. Dominating his opponents with superior wrestling to win the tournament and a title shot that he’d win.

Ben would defend his belt 4 times before vacating the title and moving to Once FC. There he would also win the promotion’s title in his 2nd bout with the company.

He continued to beat his opponent’s with superior wrestling and defend his title 5 times. Then in a first in MMA history, Askren was traded to the UFC for Demetrious Johnson.

The undefeated Askren would go 1-2 in his time in the UFC and would retire and get a hip replacement.

Sergio Pettis

Anthony’s little brother Sergio Pettis has also been with Duke Roufus since the beginning of his career. Pettis would have a 6 year run with the UFC going between the flyweight and bantamweight divisions.

He would then explore free agency and would land in Bellator. There Pettis has won 3 straight and has won the promotion’s bantamweight title.

Duke Roufus’ legacy

In 15 years since opening Roufusport, Duke Roufus has helped train some of the world’s best fighters. Including training 2 UFC champions, 2 Bellator champions, and 1 One FC champion.

Roufus had a successful fighting career and an even more successful career as a coach. Roufusport is among one of the most respected MMA gyms in the world. Duke will look to continue growing his school and try to grow a new crop of champions.

Conan Silveira

DOB: N/AGym: American Top TeamLocation: Coconut Creek, FloridaMartial Arts Background: BJJMMA Record: 6-4Notable Fighters: Amanda Nunes, Junior Dos Santos, Douglas Lima, Yoel Romero Conan Silveira’s beginnings in martial arts Marcus Silveira grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and had an immediate attraction to martial arts. From a young age Conan as his friends and […]

DOB: N/A
Gym: American Top Team
Location: Coconut Creek, Florida
Martial Arts Background: BJJ
MMA Record: 6-4
Notable Fighters: Amanda Nunes, Junior Dos Santos, Douglas Lima, Yoel Romero

Conan Silveira’s beginnings in martial arts

Marcus Silveira grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and had an immediate attraction to martial arts. From a young age Conan as his friends and family called him began training under Carlson Gracie.

He quickly became one of Carlson’s top students and would regularly compete in Jiu Jitsu competitions. His teammates included Mario Sperry, Murilo Bustamante, and Ricardo Liborio.

After earning his black belt, Silveira would win the Brazillian National BJJ title. Around the same time, Silveira would compete in some of the early bare knuckle luta livre matches in Rio. Winning his first 3 fights before losing to future UFC champion Maurice Smith.

Conan would then fight Sakuraba in the UFC twice and then avenge his loss to Maurice Smith in 1999.

Fallout with Carlson Gracie

In the late 90s, Carlson Gracie was busy opening his new school in Chicago. Leaving his school in Rio for months, which forced his students like Conan to run classes.

This absence upset many of Carlson’s Rio students, especially since they were left to train for the BJJ world championship alone. A sequence of events happened after this and Carlson barred many of his top students from his academy.

American Top Team

Conan’s teammate Ricardo Liborio would go on to co-found Brazilian Top Team, but it was just for a short stint. This is because while in Florida, Liborio and Silveira were approached by businessman Dan Lambert.

Lambert had an idea to build the premiere MMA academy in the world. Taking the idea that helped create Brazilian Top Team and bringing it to the US.

What he, Liborio, and Silveira would create would become known as American Top Team. At this gym, Silveira would be the head coach and be in charge of overseeing the fighter’s camps.

Since 2001, Silveira has been the head coach of ATT and it is the most successful MMA gym. Over 12 world MMA champions and numerous top fighters in the last 20 years have called ATT home. This has all happened with Silveira at the helm as head coach of the gym.

Notable fighters

You could fill a book with the notable fighters that have trained under Silveira at American Top. Some of the best fighters ever including names like Amanda Nunes, Junior dos Santos, Douglas Lima, and Robbie Lawler.

Amanda Nunes

One of Conan’s prized students is the greatest female MMA fighter of all time Amanda Nunes. For the last 6 years, she has cleared out the women’s featherweight and bantamweight divisions.

Conan has been her head coach for much of her career. She debuted in the UFC in 2013 with a 7-3 record.

Nunes would win her first two UFC fights before being stopped by strikes to Cat Zingano. This was the last loss she has suffered to date.

Amanda would go on a historical 11 fight win streak that started in 2015 with a TKO win over Shayna Baszler. Two wins later would set her up against bantamweight champion Meisha Tate, A fight that she would dominate and win by RNC to earn her first UFC title.

She would follow it up with a devastating KO of Ronda Rousey. Her winning ways would continue, which would set her up against Cyborg Santos, one of the most feared fighters ever.

Nunes would shock the world knocking Cyborg out in the first round and becoming the female 2 division champion. This win would crown her the greatest female MMA fighter ever.

Since that win, Nunes has kept her winning streak intact and retained both of her world titles.

Junior dos Santos

From 2008-2012 Junior dos Santos was probably the best heavyweight fighter in the world. He would debut in 2008 with a 6-1 record against Fabricio Werdum, who many assumed would fight for the title.

Cigano would shock the world and put the heavyweight division on notice, landing a devastating uppercut knockout. This would be a trend with dos Santos as he would KO 4 of his next 6 opponents.

Earning him a title shot against Cain Velasquez on the first ever UFC on Fox broadcast. Junior would realize his dream of becoming heavyweight champion, knocking out Velasquez in the first minute of the fight.

He would go on to defend the title once against Frank Mir before losing the title in a rematch against Cain.

After losing the title, Cigano would have an up and down career in the UFC. He would lose his last 4 fights before being released by the promotion.

Douglas Lima

One of the current best fighters to have never fought in the UFC is ATT vet Douglas Lima. A 3x Bellator welterweight champion and tournament winner.

He made his Bellator debut in 2011 at the season 5 welterweight tournament with a 19-4 record. Lima would win the 3-fight tournament to earn a championship fight against Ben Askren.

Douglas would lose a decision, but bounce back to win the next welterweight tournament and his first title. Then he would lose it again, but would win the Bellator Grand Prix and win back the title again.

In June of 2021, Lima would again lose his welterweight title to undefeated Yarsoslav Amosov.

The legacy of Conan Silveira

The resume of Marcus “Conan” Silviera speaks for itself. He was there at the beginning to build American Top and made it to the great MMA gym in the world.

Conan has helped coached numerous world champions in MMA and BJJ. He and his team’s success has been awarded with 4 nominations for the World MMA Awards gym of the year. Being nominated every year from 2016-2019 and winning the award in 2019.

Silveira has been at the helm as head coach at American Top Team for the last 21 years. There looks to be only more success for Conan and ATT and the future.

Mark DellaGotte

DOB: November 14th, 1974Gym: SityodtongLocation: Somerville, Massachusetts Martial Arts Background: Muay ThaiNotable Fighters: Kenny Florian, Patrick Cote, Marcus Davis, Stephan Bonnar Mark DellaGrotte’s beginnings in martial arts Mark DellaGrotte is a lifelong martial artist who started learning various forms at a young age. Starting out in traditional styles like Taekwondo and Shotokan Karate. From an early […]

DOB: November 14th, 1974
Gym: Sityodtong
Location: Somerville, Massachusetts
Martial Arts Background: Muay Thai
Notable Fighters: Kenny Florian, Patrick Cote, Marcus Davis, Stephan Bonnar

Mark DellaGrotte’s beginnings in martial arts

Mark DellaGrotte is a lifelong martial artist who started learning various forms at a young age. Starting out in traditional styles like Taekwondo and Shotokan Karate.

From an early age all DellaGrotte wanted to do was train in martial arts. When he was 18, Mark met martial arts expert Guro Guy Chase.

Chase trained with numerous innovators in martial arts from Karl Gotch, Dan Insonato, and Surachai Sirisute. Surachai introduced Muay Thai to the US and this was the martial art that DellaGrotte took the most interest in.

Mark DellaGrotte’s intro to Muay Thai

In 1997 is when DellaGrotte first started learning Muay Thai. He became so immersed into this fighting form that he went to learn the art in Thailand.

His friend that trained there previously and had connections brought him to the Yodtong boxing camp in Pattaya. Owned by world renown trainer Kru Yodtong.

At the time, there were little to no westerners training in Thailand at the time and Mark had to prove himself. Kru Yodtong began taking a liking to DellaGrotte and accepted him as a student.

For 8 years, Mark would spend most of his time in Thailand learning under Yodtong. Mark also traveled across the country learning various fighting styles similar to Muay Thai.

He even learned Thai and is said to have fought in around 10 professional Thai bouts. DellaGrotte competed so that it would make him a better instructor with actual fighting experience.

DellaGrotte becomes a Kru

After learning and training in Muay Thai for 8 years, Master Yodtong Senanan approved Mark as a trainer. Appointing him as a Kru with the duty of teaching and promoting Thai boxing worldwide.

Mark is only one of two US representatives under Master Yodtong. With his certification complete, Mark would open Sityodtong in his home of Somerville, Massachusetts. One of only two Sityodtong gyms in the US with the other being in California.

DellaGrotte grows his gym

DellaGrotte began growing his small gym in Somerville into a world-renowned martial arts gym. At first he began training Thai kickboxers, but with MMA growing started getting MMA fighters as students.

Many of which were well known from the Ultimate Fighter reality show like Kenny Florian, Stephan Bonnar, and Alex Karalexis. This recognition as a top trainer of MMA fighters got DellaGrotte an offer to be a trainer of the 4th season of TUF.

His popularity would continue to grow along with his gym. Cornering numerous top MMA fighters in the last two decades.

Also being featured on numerous MMA shows and podcasts like the Joe Rogan Experience. Even getting a role as a trainer in his friend Kevin James’ movie Here Comes The Boom.

Notable fighters

Since the early 2000s, DellaGrotte has trained numerous fighters in his time as a trainer. Famous names like Kenny Florian, Stephan Bonnar, Patrick Cote, and Jorge Rivera.

Kenny Florian

Kenny Florian is one of the original cast members of the Ultimate Fighter Season 1 on team Chuck Liddell. Fighting in the middleweight division, Florian made it all the way to the finals, but lost to Diego Sanchez.

After his UFC debut, Florian would drop down to Welterweight and win both fights at this weight. Then he would move down again to lightweight after the UFC reopened the division.

Kenny would finish Sam Stout by RNC to line himself up for his first title fight against Sean Sherk. He would lose a decision, but would win 6 straight with 5 finishes.

This win streak would put him in line for his second title shot against BJ Penn. Unfortunately he would come up short and lose by RNC in the 4th round.

He would finish his time at lightweight going 2-1 before dropping to featherweight. Beating Diego Nunes and getting his 3rd shot at the title.

Florian would again lose by decision and would retire. Many acknowledge Florian as one of the best fighters to ever fought that never won a title.

Since retiring, Kenny spent time as a color commentator for the UFC and now the PFL.

Patrick Cote

DellaGrotte was the main striking coach for retired Canadian MMA fighter, Patrick “the predator” Cote for most of his career.

Cote made his debut at just 24 fighting for champion Tito Ortiz in a losing effort. He would trade wins and losses before getting on The Ultimate Fighter: The Comeback.

Patrick would make it to the finals, but lose by submission to tournament winner Travis Lutter. After the loss, Cote would go on the streak of his career winning 5 straight. Earning a shot at the middleweight title against Anderson Silva.

In the fight, Patrick had one of the best performances of his career, but a knee injury ended the fight. He would lose his next two fights and be cut, but would win 4 straight and return to the UFC again.

His final run in the UFC lasted between 2012 and 2017. Going 6-4 in his last 10 fights before announcing his retirement from MMA after fighting Thiago Alves.

Mark DellaGrotte’s legacy

Mark DellaGrotte has become one of the most known trainers within the UFC and the sport of MMA. He is known for his thick Massachusetts accent and training some of the top fighters for over two decades.

DellaGrotte’s hard work has earned him immense respect within the MMA community. He has grown his gym Sityodtong into one of the best fight gyms on the east coast.

Mark also works as technical advisor for the UFC and is a fixture at nearly all of their events.