Introduction
Great fighters become legends — but behind every legend is a coach who shaped their style, sharpened their mindset, and pushed them past their limits. MMA is a sport built on influence: technique passed down from masters, training methods refined through decades, and coaches who saw potential in fighters long before anyone else did.
This article highlights the most influential coaches in MMA history — the minds who built champions and changed the direction of the sport forever.
Greg Jackson — The Master Strategist
Greg Jackson is one of the most respected minds in MMA.
He helped build the blueprint for strategic, game-planned fighting.
His Impact
- Co-founded Jackson-Wink MMA
- Developed structured fight strategies
- Trained champions like Jon Jones, Holly Holm, Georges St-Pierre (with Zahabi), Carlos Condit
- Emphasized IQ, angles, and defensive movement
Jackson brought a cerebral approach to MMA that influenced gyms worldwide.
Firas Zahabi — The Technician of Tristar
Firas Zahabi is known for his calm approach, deep technical understanding, and ability to refine fighters’ smallest details.
His Impact
- GSP’s longtime coach
- Master of timing, footwork, and efficient movement
- Popularized low-impact training and sustainability
- Highly respected for his teaching clarity
Zahabi changed the way fighters think about longevity and intelligent training.
Javier Mendez — The Architect of Pressure
Coach of the famed American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), Javier Mendez has helped multiple champions dominate with pressure-heavy styles.
His Impact
- Built Khabib Nurmagomedov’s game
- Coached Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, Islam Makhachev
- Known for blending wrestling, cage pressure, and powerful striking
Under Mendez, AKA fighters became some of the most dominant champions in UFC history.
Rafael Cordeiro — The Godfather of Modern Chute Boxe
Rafael Cordeiro is known for producing some of the most aggressive strikers in MMA.
His Impact
- Former Chute Boxe striking coach
- Trained Wanderlei Silva, Shogun Rua, Anderson Silva early on
- Later coached Fabricio Werdum, Cris Cyborg, Marvin Vettori
- Popularized forward-pressure Muay Thai for MMA
Cordeiro helped redefine striking in a sport transitioning from single-style fighters to complete mixed martial artists.
Matt Hume — The “Professor” of Martial Arts
Matt Hume is one of MMA’s most brilliant but underrated minds.
His Impact
- ONE Championship’s head official/technical director
- Coached Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson
- Known for systems-based training and seamless transitions
- Helped develop one of the most well-rounded fighters ever
Hume’s influence is massive, especially in Asia.
John Kavanagh — The Leader of SBG Ireland
John Kavanagh helped bring European MMA into the spotlight.
His Impact
- Coach of Conor McGregor
- Head of SBG Ireland
- Focused on creative striking and movement
- Helped launch Ireland onto the global MMA stage
His ability to develop talent in a small market changed perceptions of where champions can come from.
Mike Brown — The Modern Super-Coach of ATT
A former WEC champion, Mike Brown has become one of the sport’s most respected modern coaches.
His Impact
- Key coach at American Top Team (ATT)
- Worked with Amanda Nunes, Dustin Poirier, Masvidal, Pantoja, Joanna Jedrzejczyk
- Excellent at building fight-specific game plans
- Known for calm presence and tactical detail
Brown represents the new wave of high-level, active-fighter-turned-coach leaders.
Trevor Wittman — The Striking Genius
Trevor Wittman is known for building elite-level strikers with technical precision.
His Impact
- Trained Rose Namajunas, Justin Gaethje, Kamaru Usman
- Master of footwork, angles, and clean striking mechanics
- Created innovative gloves and training gear
Wittman is regarded as one of the sharpest tactical striking minds in modern MMA.
Henri Hooft — The Dutch Kickboxing Specialist
Henri Hooft brought elite Dutch-style kickboxing into MMA.
His Impact
- Coached at Sanford MMA/Hard Knocks 365
- Trained strikes for Usman, Rumble Johnson, Michael Chandler
- Known for brutal pad sessions and precise fundamentals
His technical striking influence is seen across multiple UFC divisions.
Mark Montoya — The Quiet Builder of Contenders
Not as flashy as others but increasingly influential.
His Impact
- Head coach of Factory X Muay Thai
- Trains multiple up-and-coming UFC fighters
- Known for disciplined, fundamentals-first striking
- Emphasizes mindset and fighter maturity
Montoya represents the new generation shaping future contenders.
What These Coaches Have in Common
Despite different styles, the greatest MMA coaches share key qualities:
- They build systems, not just fighters
- They see potential others miss
- They adapt the sport with each generation
- They balance toughness with strategy
- They teach mindset alongside technique
Their influence goes far beyond wins — they shape the identity of MMA itself.
Final Thoughts
MMA doesn’t evolve through fighters alone. The sport grows because of the coaches who innovate techniques, build champions, and continually refine what “good” looks like. Whether it’s striking precision, pressure wrestling, technical movement, or mental discipline, these coaches left their mark on MMA history and continue to shape its future.