The idea of splitting from American Top Team has lingered in Din Thomas’s mind for a while. Now he’s officially made the decision to venture out on his own.
Thomas has been a prominent figure in the corners of the Florida-based gym’s athletes over the past decade. As time has gone on, however, his desire to shrink his circle and place more focus on specific individuals has grown.
Former UFC champ Tyron Woodley has been one of his primary clients in recent years, and Thomas has taken the decision to leave the confines of the ATT headquarters to do that work. It was while training with Woodley for his previously-scheduled fight against Leon Edwards in March that Thomas came to a realization.
“I was off with Tyron we were training for Leon Edwards and I had been gone from the gym for two weeks and it just kind of hit me,” Thomas told MMA Junkie. “It was like, ‘Do I even want to go back?’ I said to myself, ‘I don’t even want to go back.’ I’m happy doing what I’m doing and I know that I’m valuable enough that I can do this on my own that I don’t need a team.
“I’m not saying I’m the best guy in the world or the smartest guy, but I know what I’m worth and I know that I’m valuable alone to do it. If I do need help in certain areas I can find it and I can get it and I can bring people in. I don’t need to have that whole team atmosphere.”
Thomas said he doesn’t feel he left ATT on bad terms after his long stint as a coach. He insisted the gym will remain one of the best in the world without his presence, but admitted it’s an environment with a lot of moving parts.
As Thomas has gotten deeper into his transition from fighter to coach after competing in his final bout in April 2013, he’s become less keen on spreading his time across a large number of fighters. Instead, he said he’d much rather dedicate himself to just a few.
“It was tough to leave, but you’ve got to do what you feel is right for you,” Thomas said. “I got my own stable that I’m trying to work with. I’m trying to avoid having too many people to work with. I’m just trying to work with the people I like. I’m too old. I have some gray in this beard. I’m too old to be working with everybody. … I’m sure that some of the fighters will miss me, but it’s American Top Team. Everything will be all right.”
In addition to Woodley, who fights Gilbert Burns on May 30 in the UFC on ESPN+ 30 headliner, Thomas said his clientele also includes strawweight Gillian Robertson and women’s flyweight Hannah Goldy. He also said he’s in the process of finalizing negotiations with heavyweight Greg Hardy.
Thomas said he’s confident in his plan going forward and how it will allow him to flourish as a coach, resulting in a greater positive impact on his fighters.
“Eventually I’m going to set up own little spot,” Thomas said. “Not a gym, but just a place where we can train people. Not trying to have a school or nothing like that, but just a place to train people that have fights coming up and I can grow with and build relations and grow with them.”
Coach Din Thomas details split from American Top Team: 'It was tough to leave'