Well, it's an interesting perspective, man. Yes, Khabib came into the MMA scene as quite a formidable wrestler, there's no denying that. From what I've seen and heard directly, his wrestling game was indeed strong right from the start. But that doesn't mean AKA didn't contribute to his development as an MMA fighter. You see, an academy like AKA isn't there just to teach you from scratch, it's about polishing the natural talent and providing the right environment, training partners, and strategic inputs to make you the best possible version of yourself.

Khabib's training at AKA under people like Javier Mendez likely helped shape his wrestling skills into something more adaptable and effective in the Octagon. For example, understanding how to seamlessly transition from striking to takedowns, or how to control a fight on the ground while avoiding submission threats. Plus, AKA sparring sessions are notorious for their intensity. Khabib's ability to, in Luke Rockhold's words, "never lose a round" even in training, likely speaks to both his natural talent and the competitiveness of the AKA environment.

So to answer your question, yes, I believe AKA has indeed contributed significantly to Khabib's development as an MMA fighter, even if he already had a strong foundation to begin with.

Well, man, let me just be clear right off the bat, I've got nothing but respect for all MMA coaches. These guys and gals are absolute wizards in their field. They're constantly grooming athletes to become even better than they are, which is not a task for the faint-hearted.

But if I gotta give you a rundown, John Danaher immediately springs to mind. What this man doesn't know about martial arts isn't worth knowing. His knowledge is vast and he coaches his fighters in every aspect of MMA, from wrestling and jujitsu to striking. He’s got a very hands-on style, always tweaking the game and getting right in the thick of it. His guys are always well-prepared and that’s a testament to his coaching.

Then you got Danny Castillo and Chris Holdsworth over at Team Alpha Male. They've got a great set up, a close-knit team, and you can see how much stock they put into personal relationships. The way they tailor training sessions, focusing on individual strengths, is really commendable.

Of course, you cannot forget guys like Rafael Cordeiro. He’s consistently produced world-class fighters and helped champions stay at the top of their game. That’s no small feat, man.

It's not just about who's the best though, it’s about what coach pairs best with what fighter. It's like a match mate in combat sports heaven, and when you see it click, it's magical. It's like the stars align and you witness something truly spectacular in the ring - raw talent honed to perfection. So, to rank them... well, it wouldn't really do justice to what they do. They're all phenomenal in their own right. The world of MMA wouldn’t be the same without them.

Look man, I absolutely respect Firas Zahabi, I mean he's one of the smartest guys I know and his work with GSP speaks volumes. The guy's a fucking genius, and there's no doubt about that. But when you're ranking top MMA coaches, it's not just about who's smart or who has worked with a great fighter. It's about considering a multitude of factors and looking at it from a holistic perspective.

We're talking about all-time great coaches with a long list of champions under their belt. Their influence on the game, their longevity, and their overall impact on the fighters they've trained. It's not a knock on Firas, far from it. In fact, I believe he could slide right into coaching any top fighter. It’s more about the vast number of highly skilled coaches out there.

This isn’t a decision I make lightly. We're discussing pioneers of the sport who've brought a comprehensive change in the game. Coaches with a strong presence in multiple weight classes, across different promotions. This isn't to undervalue what Firas has done but rather to highlight the incredible depth of coaching talent we have in MMA.

Firas Zahabi’s incredibly smart, he and GSP were a dynamite combo, no doubt about it. It’s just that when we are making these lists, we’re looking at a whole career, not just one high profile relationship. But hey, rankings change, and Firas might just climb his way up there in the future. Who knows? MMA is a crazy world, man.

Look man, Firas Zahabi, he's a fucking genius. I mean seriously. One of the smartest guys I've ever talked to, he's up there. The guy is a legitimate genius of MMA. There's not a stone unturned in his knowledge of the game. He's one of those unique minds in this sport, you know what I mean? Trained one of the greatest of all time, GSP, and the way he was able to blend styles and techniques together, it's just next level. I wouldn't hesitate, not even for a second, to place him amongst the cream of the crop when it comes to MMA coaching. He's not just going through the motions - the guy practically lives and breathes the sport. So yeah, top-tier, no doubt about it.

Sure, man. George St. Pierre, or GSP as we like to call him, is such an exceptional fighter because he embodies the true spirit of a martial artist. In fact, I often say he's a martial artist first and then a fighter. The guy's always learning, always practicing - whether it's doing jujitsu in Brazil or constantly refining his Muay Thai.

One key thing that separates GSP from the rest is that he's always evolving, he's not stagnant. And that’s genuinely what I love about him. Even when he’s not fighting, he’s working on his craft, trying to get better. And that’s probably why his comeback after four years of layoff was so effective. Not everyone can accomplish that, it's a testament to his dedication and resilience.

But what really stands out to me about GSP is his unpredictability in the ring. You just never knew what he was about to do - whether he was about to throw a punch or a takedown. He had this uncanny ability to keep the other guy guessing, keep them on their toes. His ability to mix it up, his striking, his grappling – it all just flowed so well together. He overloaded his opponents, not with raw power or anger, but with his intellect and his unerring technique.

And let's not forget about his stance against performance enhancing drugs, which I believe is truly commendable. The guy is a role model - not just for other fighters but for everybody. Hard work, perseverance and integrity - that's GSP in a nutshell.

And, you know, he's the kind of guy who I believe might just be the GOAT, man. He's faced every challenge that's been put in front of him and come out victorious. He's a special athlete, a special fighter, and a special human being. His record speaks for itself. He’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest of all time, and I really believe that. His fighting style, his attitude, his philosophy – it’s all extraordinary.

George St. Pierre, man, he's a master of deception in the ring. You see, his greatest strength lies in his unpredictability. You're in the ring with him, you don't know what's coming next. Is he going to strike? Is he going for a takedown? You're constantly on the backfoot, always trying to catch up. It's not like he's the best wrestler or the most exceptional striker, but he’s a genius in figuring out how to keep you guessing.

He's got this knack for mixing it all up and overloading your mind. Working with Firas Zahabi, an incredibly sharp and rational guy, they've developed this technique, this psychology, based approach that gets under your skin. It's about overloading your mind, keeping your defense on its toes, always expecting something but never knowing what.

The other thing about St. Pierre is that he's a master of patterns. He figures out how his opponents move, how they react, and then leverages that to his advantage. It's one thing to know a guy's move, but to understand their pattern? That's next-level stuff. And that's why, to me, George St. Pierre is among the greatest, if not the greatest, in the game.

That's an interesting question, man. But let's clear something up. It's not that Firas Zahabi hasn't developed other notable fighters, it's that George St. Pierre is just on a different level. That guy is an animal, a complete beast and working with Zahabi, they reached unprecedented heights. Zahabi's ability to understand the sport inside and out and to craft strategies is phenomenal, I mean the guy is a genius. And GSP was the perfect athlete to implement those strategies. It's not everyday you come across a talent like GSP.

Now, you've got to remember, it takes two to make a successful fighter-coach combo. Just because Zahabi hasn't replicated the same level of success with other fighters, it doesn't mean he's not doing an outstanding job. There are so many variables in this game. Zahabi is an amazing coach, but ultimately, it's the fighter that steps into the cage. So, it's not just the coaching but also the talent, mindset, and even luck.

And let's not forget, he has developed and worked with other incredible fighters, like Rory MacDonald for example. In this game, it's damn tough to consistently produce champions. It's such a high level, and the fact that Zahabi has been part of one of the greatest fighters in history, it tells you something about his quality as a coach.