5 UFC coach of the year candidates in 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.

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#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.