Mixed martial arts icon, Fedor Emelianenko successfully made his homecoming one to remember tonight to round out Bellator 269 in Moscow, Russia — stopping former interim heavyweight title challenger, Tim Johnson with a stunning, opening round walk-off knockout win inside two minutes of the first frame. Emelianenko, making his first appearance in Russia since June […]
Mixed martial arts icon, Fedor Emelianenko successfully made his homecoming one to remember tonight to round out Bellator 269 in Moscow, Russia — stopping former interim heavyweight title challenger, Tim Johnson with a stunning, opening round walk-off knockout win inside two minutes of the first frame.
Emelianenko, making his first appearance in Russia since June of 2016 when he bested Fabio Maldonado, Emelianenko headlined the VTB Arena card in Moscow, taking on UFC alum and the #2 ranked Bellator heavyweight contender, Johnson.
Fedor Emelianenko lands huge walk-off KO in Russia homecoming against Tim Johnson
Circling from the outside and landing well during the numerous early exchanges, Emelianenko managed to unleash an almost classic, lightening fast combination on the chin of Johnson, landing with a huge straight hand, before swinging and crashing home with a pair of alternating hooks, sending Johnson to the canvas as he scored a massive walk-off finish on his home soil return.
Below, catch the highlights from Emelianenko’s massive stoppage of Johnson.
UFC Legend Vitor Belfort’s son, Davi Belfort, is making waves in the sports world of his own. The younger Belfort has secured an offer from Nick Saban to take his talents to the University of Alamba when he finishes high school. There’s just one thing. Belfort hasn’t even started high school yet. The rising freshman […]
UFC Legend Vitor Belfort’s son, Davi Belfort, is making waves in the sports world of his own.
The younger Belfort has secured an offer from Nick Saban to take his talents to the University of Alamba when he finishes high school. There’s just one thing. Belfort hasn’t even started high school yet.
The rising freshman has yet to take a single snap in a high school game. Yet, the offer from Alabama is Belfort’s third. He’s also received offers from Arizona State and Florida Atlantic. Belfort took to Twitter to announce the offer, with proud papa retweeting his post.
Wow after a great conversation with Coach Saban I am beyond blessed and grateful to have received a scholarship to the University of Alabama! Most importantly thank you to God, my family, @chrisflores0321 my coaches, and teammates. @Joanapradob@vitorbelfortpic.twitter.com/WbZVY9cLBO
As odd as it may seem, many colleges have begun actively recruiting and making offers to middle school athletes viewed as five-star prospects. As a 6’0, 185-pound eighth-grader with great potential at the quarterback position, it’s no surprise that scholarship offers are already coming in.
Belfort will start high school in the fall at the prestigious Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida, and play under coach Jack Daniels. Daniels, who has coached the likes of Miami Dolphins quarterback Jacoby Brissett and several Division I quarterbacks, will likely help Belfort develop the skills he will need at Alabama.
Recently interviewed by his local newspaper, Belfort was humble and excited about the offer.
“They saw me throw in the morning part [of the camp] and then after the morning part was when they decided to offer me,” Belfort said. “He (Saban) called me in his office and we had a great conversation. He said he normally doesn’t offer kids that early. He’s really excited to see me grow and develop on the high-school stage. He said he’s definitely going to be watching me.”
“It was definitely a surreal moment,” Belfort said. “It was an honor talking to one of the greatest coaches in the history of college football, it was such an honor, it was amazing.”
Davi Belfort inherited Vitor Belfort’s athleticism. He also inherited his approach to the pressures of competing at a high level.
“[The offer] definitely doesn’t put any pressure on me. … Some people think it does, but I don’t see any pressure to it,” Belfort said. “I’m just really happy. If anything, it takes pressure off of me. I’m not worried about if it takes pressure off of me or not. I’m just worried about my fall season. I can’t wait to keep on getting better. As soon as I get home, I’m going to get back to what got me to this point, and I still have a lot to improve in my game.”
How do you think Davi Belfort will perform once he gets to Alabama?
Location: Los Angeles, CaliforniaYear Established: 2003Founder: Eddie BravoHead Coach: Eddie BravoNotable Title Wins: UFC Interim Lightweight Championship How was 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu established? 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu was established by Eddie Bravo in 2003. Before opening his own gym, Eddie went to compete at that year’s ADCC tournament in Brazil. At the tournament he […]
Location: Los Angeles, California Year Established: 2003 Founder: Eddie Bravo Head Coach: Eddie Bravo Notable Title Wins: UFC Interim Lightweight Championship
How was 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu established?
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu was established by Eddie Bravo in 2003. Before opening his own gym, Eddie went to compete at that year’s ADCC tournament in Brazil.
At the tournament he had the match of his life beating all time great competitor Royler Gracie. Beating him using his patented rubber guard to set up a triangle choke.
Upon returning to the US, Bravo’s coach Jean Jaques Machado awarded him with his black belt. This would lead him to opening his own school 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu in Los Angeles.
10th Planet is more known for their Jiu Jitsu competitors, but they have produced numerous UFC fighters.
Eddie Bravo
The mastermind behind 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu and its system is Eddie Bravo. He came up with the entire rubber guard system that he specifically made for MMA.
Bravo’s thought process was that by using the rubber guard a fighter could keep their opponent’s posture broken and block their strikes. Then with their posture broken, a fighter could land numerous submissions.
At first, Eddie was faced with backlash from BJJ traditionalists, but he found his niche. 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu techniques are commonly taught within No-Gi Jiu Jitsu and MMA.
Eddie has coached a number of MMA fighters including former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson.
10th Planet Coaches
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu is an affiliation, so it’s harder to list the coaches since there are several across the world. Here are some of the more prominent coaches that run 10th Planet gyms.
Ritchie/Geo Martinez
The Martinez brothers run 10th Planet Freaks in San Diego, California. They are two of the best No-Gi grapplers in the world and routinely compete in professional grappling shows.
Before they learned Jiu Jitsu under Eddie Bravo, they were professional breakdancers. They translated their athleticism and flexibility from breakdancing to Jiu Jitsu and have won multiple titles. Including a combined 5 EBI titles.
Nathan Orchard
Nathan Orchard runs 10th Planet Seattle and is another one of the best grapplers in the world. Before he went into just competitive grappling, Orchard fought MMA and gained a record of 2-0.
He then retired from MMA to coach and compete full time in Jiu Jitsu. On top of competing in Jiu Jitsu, he routinely competes in combat Jiu Jitsu events that Eddie holds annually.
Ben Eddy
Ben Eddy is the 2nd in charge behind Eddie Bravo at 10th Planet headquarters in LA. He is known for being a phenomenal coach and a competitive athlete.
He routinely helps the MMA fighters at 10th Planet headquarters, while preparing for his own competitions. Eddy is now a fixture on combat Jiu Jitsu events. Having nearly won the last tournament this year.
Notable 10th Planet Fighters
10th Planet is more known for their Jiu Jitsu, but they have produced high level MMA fighters. Including one interim champion and 2 TUF series winners that have fought for championships.
Tony Ferguson
By far the most notable MMA fighter to come out of 10th Planet is Tony Ferguson. Tony accumulated a 10-2 record before getting on the The Ultimate Fighter 13 series.
Ferguson would go on to win the show and earn a contract in 2011. In his decade with the UFC, Ferguson has had an amazing run.
From 2013-2019, Ferguson would win 11 fights in a row boosting his record to 25-3. In that time, Ferguson would win the UFC Interim Lightweight Championship before sustaining a devastating knee injury.
Kelvin Gastelum
Another one of the most known 10th Planet MMA fighters is TUF winner and title contender Kelvin Gastelum. Gastelum got on the Jones vs Sonnen TUF season when he was only 5 fights into his career.
He would stun the audience as he edged out a split decision against season favorite Uriah Hall in the finale. After winning the season, Gastelum would continue winning, beating his next 5 opponents.
Kelvin would then go through a rough patch with his weight and be forced to move up to middleweight. But once he became focused he would get back to his winning ways. Including knocking out 2 former champions in Michael Bisping and Vitor Belfort.
One of his best moments came against Israel Adesanya in their interim title bout. He would lose a decision, but would gain immense respect with fight of the night honors.
Kelvin continues to be a top 10 fighter in the middleweight division and never turns down a fight.
Alan Joubain
The recently retired Alan Joubain was a standout UFC welterweight that came from 10th Planet. Jouain is also a brown belt under Eddie Bravo.
During his career, Joubain would go 17-7. Having 13 of those fights within the UFC that would span from 2014-2020.
Joubain would earn a 8-5 record before deciding to retire in 2021. He is now a full time broadcaster covering UFC events at ESPN.
Ben Saunders
Former TUF contestant has had two stints in the UFC spanning from 2007-2019. During that time, Ben would also fight in Bellator where he would make it to the welterweight tournament finals twice.
Ben was the first ever fighter to win by omoplata in the UFC in 2014 against Chris Heatherly. What made the win sweeter was this being his returning fight in the UFC after being in Bellator for 3 years.
Saunders is currently a free agent that has not fought since 2019 pre Covid-19.
The legacy of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu
Eddie Bravo and 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu have carved out a path all their own in the combat sports world. At first, their style of Jiu Jitsu was questioned, but since then have silenced all their doubters. Now 10th Planet has grown immensely and has gyms all over the world.
Bravo and his crew have also proven that the can produce some of the best MMA fighters in the world. He has already realized his dreams for 10th Planet, but Eddie would look to train more champions in the future .
Location: Chula Vista, CaliforniaYear Established: 2007Founder: Brandon VeraHead Coach: Eric Del FierroNotable Titles Won: UFC Light Heavyweight Title, UFC Bantamweight Title, Bellator Light Heavyweight Title, One FC Heavyweight Title How was Alliance MMA established? Alliance MMA was established in 2007 by pro MMA fighter Brandon “The Truth” Vera and coach Eric Del Fierro. Early in […]
Location: Chula Vista, California Year Established: 2007 Founder: Brandon Vera Head Coach: Eric Del Fierro Notable Titles Won: UFC Light Heavyweight Title, UFC Bantamweight Title, Bellator Light Heavyweight Title, One FC Heavyweight Title
How was Alliance MMA established?
Alliance MMA was established in 2007 by pro MMA fighter Brandon “The Truth” Vera and coach Eric Del Fierro. Early in his career, Vera trained with black belt and then moved to City Boxing in San Diego.(Not related to the City Boxing Gym in Auckland, New Zealand.)
Vera was part of the management team at City Boxing and was also a trainer. In 2006, he parted ways working with this gym and went out to set up his own.
What he set up along with Eric Del Fierro would become one of the top MMA gyms in the world.
Alliance MMA vs Alliance BJJ
There is some confusion that comes up when talking about Alliance MMA. There is Alliance MMA and another school called Alliance BJJ.
Many assume that the gyms are connected, but there is actually no relationship between the two. Alliance BJJ is an affiliation of BJJ schools that was founded by Fabio Gurgel and Romero Calvacanti in 1993.
Alliance MMA was initially created to form a pro fight team within the San Diego area. It then transformed into a training facility that offered various martial arts classes to all skill levels and kids.
Brandon Vera
The former UFC veteran and current One FC champion was one the people behind creating Alliance MMA. Vera was introduced to MMA by BJJ black belt Lloyd Irvin, who coached Vera in his first pro MMA fight.
Vera then moved to San Diego after taking a trainer’s position at City Boxing. There he worked under owner Mark Dion and was coached by Dutch kickboxing legend, Rob Kaman.
The relationship between Vera and City Kickboxing would last for 4 years and he was even made a business partner.
Then in 2007, Vera decided to leave City Boxing and start his own gym, which would become Alliance MMA.
Eric Del Fierro
Brandon Vera founded Alliance MMA, but the architect behind the gym’s success is head coach and owner Eric Del Fierro.
Del Fierro is an unsung hero of Alliance and the coach behind the success of numerous fighters since 2007. Eric had been working with Vera early on in his career and they developed a close relationship with one another.
When Vera wanted to start his own MMA gym, he wanted Del Fierro to lead his MMA gym. He is an unsung hero of the gym that isn’t talked about as much as his fighters.
Which is by design since Del Fierro is an introverted person and prefers that his fighters take the spotlight. At first during the early years, Del Fierro would rarely accept interviews with the media. Later on when his fighters started getting success, he began to open up to doing more interviews.
In his over 20 years of coaching, Del Fierro is among the most accomplished MMA coaches in the world. Under his guidance, he has led his fighters to nearly 10 world titles and numerous title defenses.
Notable Alliance fighters
Alliance has been producing elite fighters since 2007 and are still producing championship caliber fighters. Here are some of their most known fighters.
Brandon Vera
We’ll start with the gym’s founder and the first professional out of the gym, Brandon “The Truth” Vera. During the UFC’s explosion in popularity after TUF, Vera was one of the young stars of the promotion.
He would start strong winning his first 4 fights at heavyweight before losing his first pro fights. Vera would then have mixed success in the promotion and then drop to the light heavyweight division.
After going 7-4 in the promotion, he was offered a contract by Asian MMA start up One FC. At One FC, he would win the promotion’s inaugural heavyweight championship.
After winning the title, the Flipino fighter would become a superstar in the Philippines. Eventually moving to the country and starring in TV shows there to go along with his fighting career.
Dominick Cruz
One of the best bantamweight fighters of all time has called Alliance home since the gym opened. Dominick Cruz is an innovator and one of the only fighters to win multiple UFC Bantamweight Titles.
He would first dominate the WEC, winning 7 of his 8 fights with the promotion. Including winning the WEC championship before the promotion merged with the UFC.
Cruz would then win the inaugural UFC Bantamweight title and defend it twice. Unfortunately Cruz was plagued by knee injuries and was forced to vacate the title.
Dominick would be on the shelf for 3 years before coming back and winning the title again. Then would be shelved with another injury before returning to fighting in 2020. Even though Dominick lost years of his career due to injury, he is still ranked as an all time bantamweight fighter.
Phil Davis
Another long time member of Alliance MMA is Mr. Wonderful, Phil Davis. Davis made his name for years as a top 10 light heavyweight in the UFC.
After going 9-3 in the promotion, Davis signed with Bellator after being offered more money. He would fight 2 in one night in his promotional debut winning the light heavyweight grand prix tournament.
Then two fights later, Davis would win the promotions light heavyweight title. Mr. Wonderful has fought some of the world’s best fighters and will continue to do so in the future.
Alliance MMA’s legacy
Alliance MMA has cemented themselves as one of the top MMA gyms in the world. The gym has grown exponentially in its 15 year existence and will continue to grow.
Today, Alliance MMA has 4 different training facilities open including 3 in the San Diego area and one in the Philippines. Vera and Del Fierro have turned the Alliance MMA brand global and will continue to grow their academy. Producing top level fighters from all around the world.
Location: Huntington Beach, CaliforniaYear Established: 2010Founder: Rafael CordeiroHead Coach: Rafael CordeiroNotable Title Wins: UFC Heavyweight title, UFC Lightweight Title, UFC Women’s Featherweight Title How was King’s MMA established? King’s MMA was established in 2010 by Rafael Cordeiro after spending 3 decades at Chute Boxe. From 1999, when Cordeiro retired until 2008, Cordeiro was the main […]
Location: Huntington Beach, California Year Established: 2010 Founder: Rafael Cordeiro Head Coach: Rafael Cordeiro Notable Title Wins: UFC Heavyweight title, UFC Lightweight Title, UFC Women’s Featherweight Title
How was King’s MMA established?
King’s MMA was established in 2010 by Rafael Cordeiro after spending 3 decades at Chute Boxe. From 1999, when Cordeiro retired until 2008, Cordeiro was the main striking coach at Chute Boxe Academy in Curitiba, Brazil.
Cordeiro decided that he wanted to go out on his own to start his very own MMA academy. He moved to California in 2008 and eventually chose to open his gym, King’s MMA in Huntington Beach, California.
Bringing the patented Chute Boxe style of MMA to California.
Rafael Cordeiro
Rafael Cordeiro is the own and head coach of King’s MMA. He started as a fighter and began training in the 80s at Chute Boxe Academy.
Winning multiple Brazilian national titles in Muay Thai and a world Pancrase Champion. What he is most known for by far is coaching some of the most vicious fighters in the world. The killers from Chute Boxe in the prime of their careers like Wanderlei Silva and Shogun Rua.
Cordeiro had been thinking about moving to the US for a long time and finally moved in 2008. Then opened King’s MMA in 2010.
In less than one decade, Cordeiro made his gym one of the best in the world. Being nominated for coach of the year 3 times, winning it twice, and leading King’s to a best gym nomination.
Ricardo Testai
Cordeiro hired 4th degree black belt Ricardo Testai to run the Jiu Jitsu program at King’s MMA. Testai has over 30 years of experience and leads every type of Jiu Jitsu class at King’s. Teaching everyone from pro fighters to kids.
Leonardo Mafra
The other Muay Thai coach at King’s is Brazilian MMA fighter, Leonardo Mafra. He is Chute Boxe Muay Thai black belt that has trained directly under Rafael Cordeiro for years. When he isn’t competing in MMA, he is coaching Muay Thai classes at King’s.
Notable King’s MMA fighters
King’s in its 11 years of existence has had numerous top tier fighters that train with Cordeiro in his gym. Multiple UFC, boxing, and BJJ champions call the gym home. Here are a few of the most known King’s MMA fighters.
Kelvin Gastelum
UFC TUF winner and middleweight contender, Kelvin Gastelum does nearly all his training at King’s. For most of his career, Kelvin has had his training camps at King’s. Fighting the top fighters in the world at welterweight and now middleweight.
After Gastelum won TUF 17, he would go on to win his first 4 UFC fights. Going 10-0 before losing his first pro MMA fight.
In Gastelum’s career, he has beaten numerous top fighters like Michael Bisping, Nate Marquardt, Jacare Souza, and Tim Kennedy. Fighting for the interim middleweight title in losing effort, but was a 2019 FOTY candidate.
He is still among the top middleweights in the world and is alway in the mix to fight for the title.
Rafael dos Anjos
There are very few fighters that have had the longevity of Rafael dos Anjos. He has been fighting for nearly 20 years and still fights the best in the sport. From 2012-2016, he made King’s MMA his home gym.
This was the peak of dos Anjos’ career going 10-3 in 13 fights. Which included winning the lightweight championship after beating numerous top 10 fighters and former champion Benson Henderson. He would win the title from Anthony Pettis and defend it once against Donald Cerrone.
Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum has spent the prime of his MMA career training at King’s MMA with Cordeiro. Once Werdum began his 2nd in the first years of King’s existence sharpening his striking skills.
Werdum would go on a 6 fight win streak upon returning to the UFC. This included winning the interim heavyweight title by submitting Cain Velasquez in Mexico at UFC 188.
After losing the title, Werdum would go 3-4 in the UFC to finish his contract with the organization. He is now signed to a long term deal with the MMA promotions PFL.
Cris Cyborg
Cordeiro had been Cris Cyborg’s striking coach ever since she started training at Chute Boxe. She has frequently trained on and off with her original striking coach throughout her illustrious career.
Cyborg has used the patented aggressive Chute Boxe style that Raphael taught to win a title in every major MMA promotion. Including the UFC featherweight title, Strikeforce featherweight title, Invicta title, and now holding the Bellator featherweight title.
She is one of the greatest female fighters ever and will continue adding to her legacy.
Marvin Vettori
One of the rising stars at King’s is the young Italian UFC fighter Marvin Vettori. At first, Vettori didn’t hit his stride in the UFC going 2-2-1 in his first 5 fights.
But after losing a close split decision to current champion Israel Adesanya, a fire lit inside Vettori. Since the loss, Vettori has gone on a 5 fight win streak and hasn’t lost in 3 years.
At 28, we will likely see him fight for the title soon and stay within the top 10 middleweight rankings.
King’s MMA and Mike Tyson
In the last year, Rafael Cordeiro and King’s MMA have been in the news frequently. The reason for this being that former boxing champ and legend Mike Tyson started training again at the gym.
Numerous training videos with millions of hits showed that Mike looked to be in fighting shape. He would make a comeback in his early 50s against another legend Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition match.
After the match Tyson has continued training at King’s and wants to fight again.
The legacy of King’s MMA
For decades, Rafael Cordeiro has made the gyms he coaches at one of the best in the world. He made his dream of owning his own gym in the US.
King’s MMA is considered one of the best MMA gyms in the world. Being nominated for gym of the year in 2016 and coach Rafael winning best coach that year and in 2012.
The gym produces some of the best fighters in the world and will continue for years to come.
Location: Huntington Beach, CaliforniaYear Established: 2010Founder: Rafael CordeiroHead Coach: Rafael CordeiroNotable Title Wins: UFC Heavyweight title, UFC Lightweight Title, UFC Women’s Featherweight Title How was King’s MMA established? King’s MMA was established in 2010 by Rafael Cordeiro after spending 3 decades at Chute Boxe. From 1999, when Cordeiro retired until 2008, Cordeiro was the main […]
Location: Huntington Beach, California Year Established: 2010 Founder: Rafael Cordeiro Head Coach: Rafael Cordeiro Notable Title Wins: UFC Heavyweight title, UFC Lightweight Title, UFC Women’s Featherweight Title
How was King’s MMA established?
King’s MMA was established in 2010 by Rafael Cordeiro after spending 3 decades at Chute Boxe. From 1999, when Cordeiro retired until 2008, Cordeiro was the main striking coach at Chute Boxe Academy in Curitiba, Brazil.
Cordeiro decided that he wanted to go out on his own to start his very own MMA academy. He moved to California in 2008 and eventually chose to open his gym, King’s MMA in Huntington Beach, California.
Bringing the patented Chute Boxe style of MMA to California.
Rafael Cordeiro
Rafael Cordeiro is the own and head coach of King’s MMA. He started as a fighter and began training in the 80s at Chute Boxe Academy.
Winning multiple Brazilian national titles in Muay Thai and a world Pancrase Champion. What he is most known for by far is coaching some of the most vicious fighters in the world. The killers from Chute Boxe in the prime of their careers like Wanderlei Silva and Shogun Rua.
Cordeiro had been thinking about moving to the US for a long time and finally moved in 2008. Then opened King’s MMA in 2010.
In less than one decade, Cordeiro made his gym one of the best in the world. Being nominated for coach of the year 3 times, winning it twice, and leading King’s to a best gym nomination.
Ricardo Testai
Cordeiro hired 4th degree black belt Ricardo Testai to run the Jiu Jitsu program at King’s MMA. Testai has over 30 years of experience and leads every type of Jiu Jitsu class at King’s. Teaching everyone from pro fighters to kids.
Leonardo Mafra
The other Muay Thai coach at King’s is Brazilian MMA fighter, Leonardo Mafra. He is Chute Boxe Muay Thai black belt that has trained directly under Rafael Cordeiro for years. When he isn’t competing in MMA, he is coaching Muay Thai classes at King’s.
Notable King’s MMA fighters
King’s in its 11 years of existence has had numerous top tier fighters that train with Cordeiro in his gym. Multiple UFC, boxing, and BJJ champions call the gym home. Here are a few of the most known King’s MMA fighters.
Kelvin Gastelum
UFC TUF winner and middleweight contender, Kelvin Gastelum does nearly all his training at King’s. For most of his career, Kelvin has had his training camps at King’s. Fighting the top fighters in the world at welterweight and now middleweight.
After Gastelum won TUF 17, he would go on to win his first 4 UFC fights. Going 10-0 before losing his first pro MMA fight.
In Gastelum’s career, he has beaten numerous top fighters like Michael Bisping, Nate Marquardt, Jacare Souza, and Tim Kennedy. Fighting for the interim middleweight title in losing effort, but was a 2019 FOTY candidate.
He is still among the top middleweights in the world and is alway in the mix to fight for the title.
Rafael dos Anjos
There are very few fighters that have had the longevity of Rafael dos Anjos. He has been fighting for nearly 20 years and still fights the best in the sport. From 2012-2016, he made King’s MMA his home gym.
This was the peak of dos Anjos’ career going 10-3 in 13 fights. Which included winning the lightweight championship after beating numerous top 10 fighters and former champion Benson Henderson. He would win the title from Anthony Pettis and defend it once against Donald Cerrone.
Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum has spent the prime of his MMA career training at King’s MMA with Cordeiro. Once Werdum began his 2nd in the first years of King’s existence sharpening his striking skills.
Werdum would go on a 6 fight win streak upon returning to the UFC. This included winning the interim heavyweight title by submitting Cain Velasquez in Mexico at UFC 188.
After losing the title, Werdum would go 3-4 in the UFC to finish his contract with the organization. He is now signed to a long term deal with the MMA promotions PFL.
Cris Cyborg
Cordeiro had been Cris Cyborg’s striking coach ever since she started training at Chute Boxe. She has frequently trained on and off with her original striking coach throughout her illustrious career.
Cyborg has used the patented aggressive Chute Boxe style that Raphael taught to win a title in every major MMA promotion. Including the UFC featherweight title, Strikeforce featherweight title, Invicta title, and now holding the Bellator featherweight title.
She is one of the greatest female fighters ever and will continue adding to her legacy.
Marvin Vettori
One of the rising stars at King’s is the young Italian UFC fighter Marvin Vettori. At first, Vettori didn’t hit his stride in the UFC going 2-2-1 in his first 5 fights.
But after losing a close split decision to current champion Israel Adesanya, a fire lit inside Vettori. Since the loss, Vettori has gone on a 5 fight win streak and hasn’t lost in 3 years.
At 28, we will likely see him fight for the title soon and stay within the top 10 middleweight rankings.
King’s MMA and Mike Tyson
In the last year, Rafael Cordeiro and King’s MMA have been in the news frequently. The reason for this being that former boxing champ and legend Mike Tyson started training again at the gym.
Numerous training videos with millions of hits showed that Mike looked to be in fighting shape. He would make a comeback in his early 50s against another legend Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition match.
After the match Tyson has continued training at King’s and wants to fight again.
The legacy of King’s MMA
For decades, Rafael Cordeiro has made the gyms he coaches at one of the best in the world. He made his dream of owning his own gym in the US.
King’s MMA is considered one of the best MMA gyms in the world. Being nominated for gym of the year in 2016 and coach Rafael winning best coach that year and in 2012.
The gym produces some of the best fighters in the world and will continue for years to come.
The Last Emperor scores the KO in Moscow!
The Last Emperor scores the KO in Moscow!
UFC Legend Vitor Belfort’s son, Davi Belfort, is making waves in the sports world of his own. The younger Belfort has secured an offer from Nick Saban to take his talents to the University of Alamba when he finishes high school. There’s just one thing. Belfort hasn’t even started high school yet. The rising freshman […]
Location: Chula Vista, CaliforniaYear Established: 2007Founder: Brandon VeraHead Coach: Eric Del FierroNotable Titles Won: UFC Light Heavyweight Title, UFC Bantamweight Title, Bellator Light Heavyweight Title, One FC Heavyweight Title How was Alliance MMA established? Alliance MMA was established in 2007 by pro MMA fighter Brandon “The Truth” Vera and coach Eric Del Fierro. Early in […]
Location: Huntington Beach, CaliforniaYear Established: 2010Founder: Rafael CordeiroHead Coach: Rafael CordeiroNotable Title Wins: UFC Heavyweight title, UFC Lightweight Title, UFC Women’s Featherweight Title How was King’s MMA established? King’s MMA was established in 2010 by Rafael Cordeiro after spending 3 decades at Chute Boxe. From 1999, when Cordeiro retired until 2008, Cordeiro was the main […]