Top 10 MMA gyms in the world ranked
MMA Fighters are only as good as the gym in which they train. Since the dawn of mixed martial arts, fighters from every corner of the world have been in need of coaches to develop gameplans and guide them through those.
They also need teammates with whom to spar, so their skills are as sharp as can be come fight night.
From the Lion's Den, founded by UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock, to Jackson Wink MMA, which was once home to the likes of former UFC light heavyweight champions Jon Jones and Rashad Evans, MMA gyms have emerged to cater to the needs of fighters across the globe.
While the days of Black House MMA dominating the UFC alongside Jackson Wink MMA are over, a new crop of gyms have risen to battle for supremacy. This list details the greatest gyms of the present era, organizing them into a top 10 ranking to determine the best of the best based on the aggregate success of their fighters.
#10. Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts
A product from the mind of former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Randy Couture, Xtreme Couture benefits from the legendary heavyweight's well-known instinct for gameplanning.
Although the depth of talent the gym boasts does not compare to the rosters held by the other gyms on this list, Xtreme Couture features a keen eye for gameplanning that even former UFC women's bantamweight champion Miesha Tate hoped to use.
: Xtreme Couture MMAHe's already delivers terrifying KO’s…Can you image @francis_ngannou landing one of these 👀💥
📹: Xtreme Couture MMA https://t.co/4P1D1nBOtu
Instead, it was Francis Ngannou who showcased the strength of Xtreme Couture's gameplanning. In his rematch with Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight championship, 'The Predator' was able to thoroughly dominate a foe who had dealt him a truly lopsided loss in their initial matchup despite his former gym's attempts at preparing him for the bout.
Furthermore, his new coaches were able to guide him to victory against dynamic heavyweight striker Ciryl Gane despite Ngannou's knee injury in his first title defense at UFC 270.
#9. Serra-Longo Fight Team
Headed by Ray Longo and Matt Serra, the Serra-Longo Fight Team is an oft-forgotten gym. Perhaps its greatest accomplishment was priming Chris Weidman to end Anderson Silva's legendary 17-fight win streak, capturing the Brazilian's UFC middleweight championship in the process.
Matt Serra and Ray Longo - fight prep long before MMA was the main stream sport it is now #NewYorkFightingHistory https://t.co/M0AuzCsQqn
Alas, Weidman lost the championship after successfully mounting three title defenses before tumbling down the pound-for-pound rankings with a 2-6 run that culminated in a devastating leg break.
The Serra-Longo Fight Team, however, persevered, guiding Aljamain Sterling to a UFC bantamweight championship, while steering Merab Dvalishvili through a 7-fight win streak that earned him a No. 6 ranking in the UFC bantamweight rankings.
#8. Team Alpha Male
Founded by former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber in 2004, Team Alpha Male is home to a breadth of fighters. One of the longest-standing gyms in the sport, Team Alpha Male is responsible for snapping Dominick Cruz's streak of bantamweight dominance via Cody Garbrandt's capture of UFC gold.
Two things that are always guaranteed in life…
1. When Song Yadong wins, it’s in spectacular fashion 🔥
2. A Team Alpha Male fighter calling out @DominickCruz👀😂
Who would you like to see Yadong fight next? 👇 https://t.co/CLOeL4Y2hS
While 'No Love' appears to be on the decline, having gone 1-5 since defeating Cruz, Team Alpha still plays host to surging UFC featherweight Josh Emmett, whose five-fight win streak has earned him a No. 4 ranking in the division; No. 10-ranked bantamweight Song Yadong, who sits on a three-fight win streak; and the 15-3 Yan Xiaonan.
#7. Alliance MMA
When former UFC light heavyweight and former ONE heavyweight champion Brandon Vera founded Alliance MMA in 2007, few could have predicted just how successful the gym would grow to be.
Yet, it is now home to a plethora of successful mixed martial artists in two of MMA's most prominent promotions: the UFC and Bellator.
Great shots by @HansGutknecht of UFC champ Dominick Cruz at Alliance MMA. #UFC199 PHOTOS: goo.gl/JHXk46 https://t.co/K8LMVLDnL1
Alliance MMA hosts a range of former world champions like Jan Błachowicz and Dominick Cruz, both of whom captured UFC gold and are in current contention with the top 10 fighters in their respective divisions.
Furthermore, the gym also features former Bellator title-holders like Phil Davis, who last year defeated former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero.
#6. Kings MMA
Perhaps no gym is greater at instilling solid striking fundamentals in grapplers than Kings MMA. Under the tutelage of Rafael Cordeiro, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialists Fabricio Werdum and Rafael dos Anjos both developed a devastating Muay Thai skill-set that enabled them to capture UFC gold.
Glorious training by the beach 6am #UFCFightIsland @kings_mma https://t.co/p6MpBmyuOS
While Fabricio Werdum is no longer an elite mixed martial artist and Rafael dos Anjos has been on a win-loss run for years, Kings MMA currently consists of current Bellator women's featherweight champion and former UFC women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg, and top UFC contenders Yair Rodriguez, Giga Chikadze, Beneil Dariush, Kelvin Gastelum, and Marvin Vettori.