What a year it was for the Las Vegas-based Xtreme Couture’s coaching staff and fight team.
Head coach Eric Nicksick was at the helm, flanked by a staff that includes Dewey Cooper, Dennis Davis, Nathan Pettit, Eddie Barraco, Jimmy Gifford, Danny Davis Jr., Maki Pitolo, Jake Shields, Ray Sefo, Roman Isbell, Matheus Naccache, Gil Guardado, and Justin Jaynes among others.
Among the gym’s accomplishments in 2023, Francis Ngannou crossed over into the world of boxing, where he knocked down (and nearly defeated) heavyweight champion Tyson Fury – in his professional debut.
Xtreme Couture middleweight staple Sean Strickland defied the odds when he dethroned Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September to become champion.
Patchy Mix solidified his status as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters outside the UFC when he finished Raufeon Stots and Sergio Pettis to win the Bellator bantamweight grand prix and divisional title.
Other Xtreme Couture standouts in 2023 included Tatiana Suarez, Daniel Zellhuber, Manel Kape, Farid Basharat, Javid Basharat, and others who also had strong years. The training room’s population continues to grow with many other fighters on the verge of greatness.
That’s why Xtreme Couture is MMA Junkie’s 2023 Gym of the Year.
