MMA Gym Tierlist
Posted on 25 March, 2022
The best MMA fighters want to have the best training partners, the best coaches, and the best facilities to maximize their chances of winning fights. Over the years certain gyms have stood out for their ability to train and attract the top fighters in the world.
City Kickboxing
Known for a very strong team bond and revamping the use of feints in MMA.
Head Coach: Eugene Bareman Notable Fighters: Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France, Brad Riddell
Onx Sports
A small pro-only team led by innovative gear producer and striking coach Trevor Wittman. Known for great footwork and balanced striking.
Head Coach: Trevor Wittman Notable Fighters: Justin Gaethje, Rose Namajunas, Kamaru Usman
Fight Ready
Head Coach: Eric Albarracin Notable Fighters: Henry Cejudo (retired), Deiveson Figueiredo, Zhang Weili, Jon Jones, Chan Sung Jung, Paulo Costa, Jiří Procházka, Patrício Pitbull
ATT (American Top Team)
Popularized the wall walk as a method to get up after being takendown.
Head Coach: Mike Brown Notable Fighters: Dustin Poirier, Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Jorge Masvidal, Kyoji Horiguchi, Amanda Nunes, Kayla Harrison
AKA (American Kickboxing Academy)
Despite their name, AKA's best fighters came from wrestling backgrounds. Brings in many Dagestani fighters from Khabib's gym to crosstrain.
Head Coach: Javier Mendez Notable Fighters: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasuqez, Luke Rockhold
Sanford MMA
Head Coaches: Henry Hooft, Greg Jones Notable Fighters: Michael Chandler, Gilbert Burns
Kings MMA
Known for frequent, very hard sparring. Their head coach Rafael Cordeiro is from Chute Boxe Academy, a gym in Brazil also notorious for their hard sparring.
Head Coach: Rafael Cordeiro Notable Fighters: Kelvin Gastelum, Marvin Vetorri, Beneil Darius, Giga Chikadze, Fabricio Werdum, Neiman Gracie
Jackson-Wink
Head Coach: Greg Jackson, Mike Winkeljohn Notable Fighters: Jon Jones (past), Aaron Pico, Holly Holm, Michelle Waterson
Team Alpha Male
Known for producing elite fighters in the lightest weightclasses.
Head Coach: Urijah Faber Notable Fighters: Cody Garbrandt
Tiger Muay Thai
Has many fighters crosstrain with the fighters from City Kickboxing. Hosts a series on youtube called Tiger Muay Thai tryouts where pros and amateurs compete to win free training from the gym. Alexander Volkanovski won the tryouts in the past.
Head Coach: George Hickman Notable Fighters: Petr Yan
Roufusport
Head Coach: Duke Roufus Notable Fighters: Tyron Woodley (retired)Thank you, Anthony Pettis, Sergio Pettis, Ben Askren (retired)
Elevation Fight Team
Head Coach: Eliot Marshall Notable Fighters: Cory Sandhagen, Drew Dober, Neil Magny, Curtis Blaydes
SBG (Straight Blast Gym)
A grappling-heavy gym known for producing the biggest MMA star ever: Conor McGregor.
Head Coach: John Kavanagh Notable Fighters: Conor McGregor, Johnny Walker
Tristar Gym
A gym in Montreal, known for molding their fighters into safe, intelligent jab-heavy fighters. Sometimes doesn't work out. Generally has very good game planning.
Head Coach: Firas Zahabi Notable Fighters: Georges St Pierre (retired), Arnold Allen, Rory McDonald
Chute Boxe Academy
A hard-nosed, hard sparring gym.
Head Coach: Rudimar Fedrigo Notable Fighters: Charles Oliveira, Cris Cybord, Wanderlei Silva (retired)
Alliance MMA
Head Coach: Eric del Fierro Notable Fighters: Dominic Cruz, Jeremy Stephens
Allstars Training Center
Head Coach: Andreas Michael Notable Fighters: Khamzat Chimaev, Alexander Gustafsson