2021 was another interesting year in the world of mixed martial arts that saw some fan-favorites fall and unlikely champions rise.
Behind these fighters, however, are a supporting cast of coaches who usually stay out of the spotlight. It is these roles that I, personally, find so intriguing given the amount of insight that a good, experienced coach can offer. For that reason, I decided to award perennial contender Trevor Wittman with MMA Junkie’s 2021 Coach of the Year.
Though my honorable mentions will go to fighters-turned-coaches like Mike Brown, James Krause and Khabib Nurmagomedov (who quietly had a solid coaching year), I still believe that this is a fitting time to pay tribute to a coach like Wittman.
Trevor Wittman
Team: ONX Sports
Key fighters: Justin Gaethje, Rose Namajunas, Kamaru Usman
Coaching record in 2021: 6-0
Summary: Akin to one of last year’s winners, Tyson Chartier, Wittman also keeps more of a boxing approach in regards to focusing on a smaller stable of fighters.
Wittman, himself, comes from the boxing side of things as he, too, had aspirations of being a fighter until sustaining a hyper-inflated lung that changed his course towards the other side of the proverbial tracks. Wittman went on to train both boxers and eventually MMA fighters, founding gyms like T’s KO Fight Club, Grudge Training Center, and his most recent venture, ONX Sports.
Through his brand ONX Sports, Wittman has been able to pursue his passion for designing functional, high-quality training gear – while still allowing him the facilities and time to focus on his core group of fighters. This setup seems to work well for Wittman, as his fighter’s successes speak for themselves.
Focusing on fundamentals and stance over things like fancy words and flash, Wittman is helping bring balance to the forces of MMA striking and coaching alike.
By focusing on things like stance and balance, Wittman helps his fighters become much more aware of their distance and what they’re exposing themselves to when moving through different ranges and angles. The commitment to this process also seems to reward Wittman’s fighters with more consistent access to their power given that they’re so well-drilled in regards to staying on balance in their stances.
Kamaru Usman’s has made tremendous improvement in striking under Coach Trevor Wittman#UFC258 pic.twitter.com/WRRZvW72Xr
— MMA India (@MMAIndiaShow) February 14, 2021
Although there is nothing wrong with gameplanning or teaching specifics in the right context, I really appreciate Wittman’s attention to fundamental ideas and concepts that allow his fighters to both grow and be themselves.
Wittman also does a fantastic job of articulating these concepts to the general audience during UFC broadcasts, as the beloved coach helped bring to life a new on-air role in recent years (before stepping down in order to further focus on his fighters and personal dealings). That said, what I love most about Wittman is what he says when he’s actually on the battlefield – when things matter.
Trevor Wittman with some intelligent advice in regards to pace warfare, as he essentially instructs Usman to pick up the proverbial pack as soon as Masvidal drops it. #UFC261 pic.twitter.com/VRvg1v3qgL
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) April 20, 2021
Despite the clip above being from 2020, it serves as an excellent example for both pace warfare and how to conduct yourself in a corner. Akin to one of last year’s Coach of the Year winners, Eric Nicksick, Wittman also gives a perfect balance of positive reinforcement (without cheerleading) and technical instruction that is digestible.
Ultimately, it’s just outright difficult to deny Wittman his due this year.
Aside from going 6-0, including an amazing evening at UFC 268, he’s a coach who shows genuine care for the fighters. Whether he’s staying stoic in victory or saving his fighter from further damage in defeat, this sport desperately needs more coaches like Wittman.
