Fighters Only

Issue 140

April 2016

Former Chute Boxe pioneer turned Kings MMA mastermind Rafael Cordeiro reaps the rewards of molding a pair of world beaters in 2015 as he wins the Shawn Tompkins Coach of the Year award at the 2015 Fighters Only World MMA Awards.

With two new UFC world champions crowned in 2015, it was no surprise to see Master Rafael Cordeiro shortlisted for ‘Coach of the Year’ once again. But the manner in which his leading charges performed last year undoubtedly swayed fans’ voting so that this time, he rose above his contemporaries to capture the top prize.

Against the odds, Fabricio Werdum and Rafael dos Anjos defeated champions at their own game to claim UFC gold. And both admit it was due in no small part to the instruction offered by the veteran former Chute Boxe coach, who is also FO’s resident striking teacher (see p102).

Werdum won the heavyweight title by outworking and grinding down Cain Velasquez in Mexico City back in June, eventually locking in a fight-ending rear naked choke early in the third round. ‘Vai Cavalo’ went blow for blow with a man many had dubbed ‘The Terminator’ and made him quit.

Dos Anjos completed his own underdog story with a 25-minute masterclass against Anthony Pettis last March. He then topped that in his first defense in December with a rapid first-round TKO of top contender Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, who was riding an eight-fight win streak.

Along with Kings’ up-and-comer Beniel Dariush – a 155lb prospect that picked up three wins in 2015 – and many other fighters who compete under the Kings banner, both champions have blossomed under Cordeiro. They entered MMA as elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts, yet both have now grown to become lethal strikers too, and the proof was displayed in their championship victories throughout last year.

“When I won the UFC lightweight belt from Anthony Pettis, people were surprised but me and my coach were not surprised at all because we know how hard I worked. All the hard work, doing three sessions a day with Master Rafael Cordeiro, paid off,” says dos Anjos.

“I went into that Pettis fight hurt also, but neither Master Cordeiro or my jiu-jitsu coach put any doubts into my mind. They told me to listen to my body and they trusted in my decision to fight injured. It worked. That’s a great coach.”

Werdum adds: “We are all so very proud of Master Cordeiro winning this award again. It’s a true reflection of the work he has done that’s made this possible. And I’d like to thank the fans for rewarding him by voting. Nobody deserves this more.”