As UFC 97 approaches, Zahabi MMA is fast becoming one of the locations of choice to train at for many top fighters.
For many elite mixed martial artists, where you train is just as important as what you train. With world class gyms like Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas and American Top Team in Florida leading the way, churning out a variety of top-tier MMA talent, there appears to be a Canadian location that has stepped up as a great option for many of the world's best.
Zahabi MMA, based out of the Tristar gym in Montreal is home to UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and David Loiseau, a former TKO champion and current UFC fighter. Founded by Firas Zahabi, the undefeated, two-time Canadian muay thai champ, the location has enjoyed frequent visits from the likes of UFC light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans and contenders Keith Jardine, Nate Marquardt, Patrick Cote and Jonathan Goulet.
As UFC 97 approaches, Canadian middleweight contender Denis Kang has relocated to La Belle Province to train with the Zahabi MMA crew, a choice that was an easy one to make.
"Firas is one of the best coaches I've worked with," Kang said. "He has a very strategic mind and knows how to work with a fighter's strengths."
The team is already considered a star-studded group, but they can now add another contender to the deep pool of talent; the No. 1 contender in the UFC's lightweight division, Kenny Florian.
"Firas is one of the smartest and most knowledgeable MMA coaches in the world", stated Florian, who specifically decided to train with Zahabi for his upcoming title bout versus belt-holder B.J. Penn. "It's truly a pleasure and an honour to work with him."
Standing off to the side as the fighters stretch in preparation for the upcoming sparring session, I am greeted with a variety of leg kicks and playful jabs welcoming me to the home of champions. A leg kick from Florian to say "Hello," a one-two combination from Kang and a shoulder punch from GSP to welcome me into the gym.
While Loiseau throws his customary insults my way, it's Zahabi who has me worried. While his open door policy made me feel comfortable when I walked in, it was when he grabbed and controlled both my wrists that I knew I was in trouble.
"Where's your gear?" he said, in a serious tone.
"Let's go, get changed and get on the mats," he added, perhaps looking forward to me paying the price for some of the questions I ask his fighters at UFC events.
While I may generally oblige when offered the opportunity and luxury of training with some of the world's best MMA fighters, Tuesday was different. Being out of my league is obvious, but something was telling me that this day would not be a good day to get in there and roll around. And I was correct.
The sparring was intense as up-and-comers were mixing it up with the established veterans. Fighters were crashing into walls while the cage in the corner was having its foundation tested to the max. Round after round, fighters would switch partners, but the intensity stayed the same.
As the sparring continued, the matchups became fairly intriguing as I witnessed GSP training with Loiseau, Kang then with Florian. All the fighters matched up with each other but what caught my eye was when Zahabi and Florian squared off.
Zahabi may not be well known for his skill set in Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu, but watching his footwork and the launching of his punching combinations made me think: how would he do in the Octagon?
Every time he was on the ground, he wasn't just defending himself but was attacking from all positions. His offensive strategy made me understand why GSP refers to his own strategy in the cage as a hunter, and not simply one whose mentality is to survive.
This mentality has been instilled into his psyche by Zahabi, who also shares this with all of his fighters, no matter what level they are currently at in their career. While there is always a need for defence, a fight is a fight, and he believes you are there to win. Be cognizant of your positioning, attack intelligently and finish off your opponent.
It has been a long road for the Montreal native, but his patience is finally being rewarded. He helped manufacture the current UFC welterweight champion, and is now being courted by current champions and No. 1 contenders. With many goals and aspirations on his mind, his basic philosophy will never change.
"Getting good is easy; to become great takes serious work in the right direction," Zahabi said.
"That's what I do. I try to point them in the right direction," he added, echoing what many of the fighters say after just one session with the coach.
His drive to build the best fighters on the planet is also his business model and is quickly being echoed throughout the industry as one of the best places to train: "Zahabi MMA: Home of Champions."
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