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Best MMA gyms in 2025: Where the MMA champions are made!
- Admin
- Dec 17, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 2, 2025
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Introduction
Finding the right gym can make or break a fighter's career. While skill, determination, and natural talent are critical, the environment in which a fighter trains often defines their trajectory. Some gyms stand above the rest, becoming breeding grounds for champions and offering the tools, coaching, and competition needed to make a name in the sport.
In this guide, we explore some of the most influential and high-performing MMA gyms today. Whether you're an aspiring fighter, a die-hard fan, or someone curious about where the best in the game are sharpening their skills, here's an inside look at the training grounds producing world champions as of December 2024.
American Top Team (ATT)
Location: Coconut Creek, Florida
Homepage: https://americantopteam.com
American Top Team has long been recognized as one of the most dominant MMA gyms in the world.
Founded in 2001 by Dan Lambert, ATT has built a reputation for producing champions across multiple organizations, including the UFC, Bellator, and PFL.
What sets ATT apart is its sheer depth of talent and world-class coaching staff. With trainers like Mike Brown, a former WEC featherweight champion, ATT creates an environment where elite fighters push each other to new heights every day.
Notable fighters:
Dustin Poirier: Former interim lightweight champion, known for his wars with Conor McGregor and Justin Gaethje.
Kayla Harrison: Two-time Olympic judo gold medalist and PFL lightweight champion.
Jorge Masvidal: A fan-favorite and former BMF titleholder.
Fighters flock to ATT because of its balance of top-tier grappling, striking, and conditioning programs.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, ATT remains a mecca for MMA talent.
City Kickboxing
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Homepage: https://citykickboxing.net.nz
City Kickboxing might not have the long history of gyms like ATT, but its rise to prominence over the last five years has been meteoric. Led by Eugene Bareman, City Kickboxing has earned a reputation for producing some of the most technically gifted strikers in MMA today.
Bareman's philosophy combines a methodical, patient approach to striking with highly effective defensive movement. This has allowed his fighters to dismantle opponents with precision and composure.
Notable fighters:
Israel Adesanya: Former UFC middleweight champion and one of the most dominant strikers in MMA history.
Alexander Volkanovski: UFC featherweight champion, renowned for his cardio and fight IQ.
Dan Hooker: Lightweight contender known for his exciting fights.
City Kickboxing's small, tight-knit environment has played a role in its success. Fighters spend significant time training together, building a bond that translates to their collective success inside the cage.
Jackson Wink MMA
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Homepage: https://jacksonwink.com
Once the undisputed epicenter of MMA, Jackson Wink MMA remains one of the most iconic training facilities in the sport. Under the guidance of Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn, this gym has produced countless champions and some of the greatest fighters in MMA history.
The gym's philosophy revolves around game planning and adaptability, with a heavy focus on combining striking, wrestling, and submission grappling seamlessly. Jackson Wink is a place where fighters come to refine their strategy and master the art of MMA.
Notable fighters:
Jon Jones: Widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, still active and dominant in late 2024.
Holly Holm: Former UFC bantamweight champion and the woman who dethroned Ronda Rousey.
Carlos Condit: Former interim welterweight champion, known for his aggressive style.
While the gym has seen ups and downs in recent years, its legacy and reputation as a breeding ground for champions remain strong.
Xtreme Couture
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Homepage:Â https://www.xcmma.com
Founded by UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, Xtreme Couture has cemented itself as a go-to gym for fighters looking to take their careers to the next level. Located in Las Vegas, the gym offers fighters access to some of the best resources and competition in the sport.
Xtreme Couture's success comes from its team of highly experienced coaches and its ability to attract top-tier talent looking to fine-tune their skills. The gym is also known for its emphasis on wrestling and strong grappling fundamentals.
Notable fighters:
Francis Ngannou: Former UFC heavyweight champion and now a prominent figure in boxing and MMA crossover bouts.
Dan Ige: Featherweight standout known for his grit and all-around skills.
Miesha Tate: Former UFC women's bantamweight champion.
Fighters who train at Xtreme Couture benefit from high-level sparring and personalized coaching, making it a hub for anyone looking to make waves in MMA.
Team Alpha Male
Location: Sacramento, California
Homepage: https://teamalphamale.com
Founded by Urijah Faber, Team Alpha Male has been synonymous with the lighter weight classes in MMA. The gym became a powerhouse in the featherweight, bantamweight, and flyweight divisions thanks to its focus on wrestling and fast-paced striking.
Team Alpha Male's success stems from its collaborative atmosphere, where fighters work together to develop their skills and push each other to improve. This approach has led to a long list of contenders and champions over the years.
Notable fighters:
Cody Garbrandt: Former UFC bantamweight champion, known for his lightning-fast hands.
Joseph Benavidez: Longtime flyweight contender.
Song Yadong: Rising star in the bantamweight division.
For fighters in the lighter weight classes, Team Alpha Male remains one of the best gyms in the world.
MMA Lab
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Homepage: https://mmalab.com
The MMA Lab, led by head coach John Crouch, has quietly become one of the most respected gyms in MMA. Known for its work ethic and technical approach, the MMA Lab focuses on building well-rounded fighters with strong fundamentals in all aspects of the sport.
Notable fighters:
Benson Henderson: Former UFC lightweight champion.
Sean O'Malley: Current UFC bantamweight champion and one of the most exciting stars in MMA.
Jared Cannonier: Top middleweight contender with knockout power.
The MMA Lab prides itself on its ability to develop prospects into world-class fighters, making it a key destination for up-and-coming talent.
Tiger Muay Thai
Location: Phuket, Thailand
Homepage: https://www.tigermuaythai.com
While Tiger Muay Thai is renowned for its striking program, it has evolved into a full-fledged MMA gym attracting elite fighters from around the globe. Located in Thailand's tropical paradise, the gym offers a unique training experience combining traditional Muay Thai with modern MMA techniques.
Notable fighters:
Petr Yan: Former UFC bantamweight champion, known for his boxing and Muay Thai skills.
Alexander Volkanovski (previously trained): UFC featherweight champion.
Rafael Fiziev: Lightweight contender with devastating striking.
Tiger Muay Thai has become a destination gym for fighters looking to sharpen their striking while experiencing world-class facilities and coaching.
What makes a great MMA gym?
The success of an MMA gym comes down to a few key factors:
Coaching: Great coaches understand not just the techniques of MMA, but how to tailor them to a fighter's strengths and weaknesses.
Training partners: Iron sharpens iron. Elite training partners push each other to improve daily.
Facilities and resources: Access to strength and conditioning programs, recovery tools, and top-tier sparring makes a huge difference.
Culture: A positive, hardworking atmosphere is essential for growth.
Final thoughts
These MMA gyms represent the pinnacle of training in the sport today. From the technical brilliance of City Kickboxing to the legendary reputation of American Top Team, each gym offers a unique environment where champions are made.
If you're an aspiring fighter, consider these gyms as blueprints for success. If you're a fan, now you know where some of your favorite fighters are honing their craft.
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