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Behind almost every great UFC fighter, there is a brilliant coach. At times, coaches are underrated for the role they play as a linchpin to a fighter's in-cage effectiveness. During some of the most intense moments in the UFC, coaches can help fighters find the mindset they need in order to succeed in a live-fight scenario.
The role played by a coach in the UFC varies, though the driving principle for them is to see their fighters adapt and evolve over time. Each year, new and exciting stars emerge in the UFC. Illuminating the path of the unknown, coaches are there for fighters outside of competition, but especially during the heat of battle.
MMA brings a fast pace and intensity few other sports can match. In 2021, many coach of the year candidates have come to light. Even Khabib Nurmagomedov is gathering steam as a coach in his retirement days. With that in mind, here are 5 UFC coach of the year candidates for 2021.
#5. UFC coach Rafael Cordeiro - Kings MMA
Rafael Cordeiro is a well-known coach in the UFC community. On his path as an MMA coach, Cordeiro has trained many fighters to become world champions. Cordeiro stopped fighting and became a full-time coach in 1999.
In addition to being known for his calm, cool and collected coaching style, Cordeiro has helped many Brazilian fighters realize a championship. As a former coach for Anderson Silva, it's safe to say Cordeiro's accolades are often understated by the spectacular fights his pupils put on.
Currently, Rafael Cordeiro is training at least one champion in Cris Cyborg. As a former UFC featherweight champion, Cyborg took her services to Bellator and didn't look back. After earning 145-pound gold in January 2020, the hard-hitting potential female GOAT has only added to her stack of achievements after firing off two title defenses. Rafael Cordeiro and Cyborg appear to be a great fit.
Cordeiro isn't just known for grooming UFC champions though. The Brazilian coach is responsible for training a stable of dynamic contenders. Beneil Dariush, one of Cordeiro's students, is the No. 3-ranked lightweight and is on the cusp of title contention. With two incredibly impressive athletes performing on the big stage, Cordeiro is in the running as one of the best coaches for 2021.
#4. Erick Nicksick - UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou's coach
Erick Nicksick is an MMA coach working with several UFC fighters based out of Las Vegas, NV. As one of the coaches at the popular Xtreme Couture MMA gym in Vegas, Erick Nicksick is primarily known for training UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
Francis Ngannou seized the heavyweight title from Stipe Miocic in March 2021. During the second fight against Miocic, Ngannou scored a takedown himself, and showed incredible improvements from their initial encounter. It was clear that Ngannou's ability to be coached was working in tandem with the creative weapons Nicksick could help refine.
With a heavyweight title unification bout on the horizon for both Ngannou and Nicksick, the duo have been tasked with a tall order. Ngannou is set to fight former training partner and interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane in January.
However, Xtreme Couture and Nicksick aren't just sporting current champions in their respective stables.
Nicksick and the team are also training Miesha Tate. As a former bantamweight champion, 'Cupcake' has been a part of some historic fights. Tate ultimately dropped her belt to Amanda Nunes in 2016.
While Tate is fresh off a loss to Ketlen Vieira, Nicksick and the staff at Xtreme Couture remain some of the top coaches of 2021.
#3. Javier Mendez - American Kickboxing Academy
It's no surprise Javier Mendez earns recognition considering Islam Makhachev's uncanny winning streak. As a former coach for Khabib Nurmagomedov, Mendez is well-versed in approaching combat scenarios with athletes. Mendez's calm demeanor is a helpful characteristic when high caliber fighters are preparing for violence.
Javier Mendez established the American Kickboxing Academy and was partly responsible for the emergence of the second ever two-division UFC champion BJ Penn. 'The Prodigy' succeeded in capturing both the UFC's lightweight and welterweight titles.
Javier Mendez remains the only coach in history to actively train three UFC champions at one time. In 2015, the American Kickboxing Academy coach earned the unique distinction after playing a part in training Luke Rockhold, Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasequez in the same time period.
The long-standing AKA coach finds himself with another contender on his hands. Rising lightweight juggernaut Islam Makhachev has made his violent foray into the 155-pound division. Under the tutelage of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Mendes, Makhachev is in good company. With a possible title contender loaded in the barrel, Mendez is a viable candidate for coach of the year in 2021.
#2. Eugene Bareman - City Kickboxing
City Kickboxing's Eugene Bareman continuously finds himself in conversations for UFC coach of the year. Training fighters out of New Zealand and Australia, Bareman has made quite the splash in North American waters. The renowned coach currently trains two champions: Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski.
Some of Eugine Bareman's skills were put to the test after his star pupil, Israel Adesanya, endured the first MMA loss of his career. In early March, Adesanya and Bareman attempted to make history by having 'The Last Stylebender' move up in weight to challenge for the 205-pound gold.
While many thought the perplexing striking of 'The Last Stylebender' would overwhelm the Polish champion, Jan Blachowicz delivered a shut-out performance. Blachowicz very effectively utilized takedowns in open space, ultimately scoring the decision win.
Adesanya would attempt to silence his critics by facing Italy's Marvin Vettori next, three months after his last fight.
Eugene Bareman and Adesanya evidently worked on takedown defense. During Adesanya's title defense at UFC 263, the rising star stuffed ten of the fourteen takedowns attempted by Vettori. After a showing of dominant striking throughout the five rounds, Adesanya was awarded the victory alongside his pivotal coach, Eugene Bareman.
#1. Trevor Wittman trains two UFC champions
Trevor Whitman has proven time and again he's one of the top-running coaches of the year. Wittman is a calming presence and is known for cornering a handful of exciting fighters. He currently trains UFC middleweight champion Kamaru Usman and women's strawweight champion Rose Namajunas.
Wittman and his pupils prevailed in 2021. Usman and Wittman lead the pack with arguably the most dominant title reign of the year. The fighter and coach were tasked with three title fights and came out on top in all of them. In one of Usman's toughest title defenses to date, he defeated Colby Covington at UFC 268.
In addition to seeing Usman reach three title defenses in 2021, Trevor Wittman coached Rose Namajunas en route to making history. 'Thug Rose' was tasked with facing China's Zhang Weili at UFC 261. The fight was highly anticipated and the UFC event was the first one to have a sold-out crowd since the onset of the pandemic.
The fight was quick. Namajunas would connect on a high kick and become the first woman to recapture a title she lost in the UFC. The two later ran it back with Wittman in Namajunas' corner again. Suffice to say, Namajunas got the job done and retained her belt. Given his efforts this year, Trevor Wittman is the strongest candidate for UFC coach of the year in 2021.
