Fighters travel from all over the world to train with the world’s best teams because the United States of America is a true powerhouse in mixed martial arts. This includes the ONE Championship’s world-class athletes, some of whom call the country home, while others just go there for training camps ahead of their international matches. If you don’t train in some of the world’s best MMA gyms, it doesn’t matter if you have the best fighting skills and talent.
To get the most out of your talent, you need excellent sparring partners and the best coaches. Being in a good MMA gym and working hard are often enough to succeed in MMA, so you don’t even need to be that skilled. Don’t get us wrong—hard training in smaller gyms can help you succeed. However, there is a reason why the majority of UFC champions originate from world-class MMA gyms. Also, these gyms aren’t just for the best fighters and coaches. They also have a lot of contacts in the MMA industry, nutritionists, cutting-edge equipment, and everything else a successful athlete needs.
1. United MMA
The success of ONE is synonymous with Hawaii’s United MMA. With two ONE World Champions, siblings “Unstoppable” Angela Lee and Christian “The Warrior” Lee, the family-run gym is a force to be reckoned with, led by Ken Lee.
Victoria “The Prodigy” Lee, Victoria’s younger sister, is a rising star on the international stage. Angela’s husband, veteran campaigner Bruno “Puccibull” Pucci, works out of the Waipahu gym as well.
United MMA is best known for its grappling prowess on the international stage, even though their athletes are well-rounded.
2. American Top Team
American Top Team is a real “super-gym” that brings a lot of top martial artists to its headquarters in Florida.
Along with his Brazilian rival and #1-ranked bantamweight contender, John “Hands of Stone” Lineker, ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes is one of the biggest names in The Home Of Martial Arts. Lineker is also a ONE Flyweight World Champion.
Both Mohammad “O Lutador” Karaki of Lebanon and Cuba’s Gustavo “El Gladiador” Balart train at the Coconut Creek facility.
3. American Kickboxing Academy
The American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California, has produced some of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.
Arjan “Singh” Bhullar, a Canadian-Indian fighter who recently won the ONE Heavyweight World Championship, aspires to become one of the gym’s top heavyweights like them.
Anthony “The Antidote” Do, a rising contender, trains at AKA, as does ADCC World Champion Yuri Simoes, who has committed to his MMA career at AKA.
4. AMC Pankration
Another world-leading gym with athletes consistently performing at the highest level is Washington’s AMC Pankration. One superstar from the gym is Flyweight GOAT Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, and ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes also conducts his camps in Woodinville with his American teammate.
5. Team Alpha Male
Team Alpha Male, led by Urijah Faber, a legend in MMA in North America, is based in Sacramento, California. They have consistently produced top talent for the world’s largest combat sports promotions. The gym is also home to a lot of exciting stars, including Japan’s Namiki Kawahara.