Blackzilians
MMA training facility and team in South Florida
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Blackzilians was a professional team of fighters in mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, amateur wrestling and catch wrestling located in South Florida. The team had included former UFC champions Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Eddie Alvarez and Kamaru Usman.
2017 (defunct)
| |
| Est. | 2011 (start) 2017 (defunct) |
|---|---|
| Primary trainers | |
| Past titleholders | |
| Training facilities | Boca Raton, Florida |
History
Owned by Glenn Robinson, Blackzilians, started when MMA fighters Jorge Santiago, Danillo Villefort, Yuri Villefort, and Gesias Cavalcante left American Top Team.[1] The name 'Blackzilians' was coined when Strikeforce Middleweight Danillo Villefort was looking through their management's website and pointed out to Robinson that every fighter (at the time) was Black or Brazilian.[2]
It was reported on September 20, 2018, that Glenn Robinson, Blackzilians founder, had died of a suspected heart attack.[3]
As of 2017, the Blackzilians as a gym is considered defunct.[4][5] Many of its members have left to join Combat Club, now Kill Cliff Fight Club (founded by Blackzilians trainers Henri Hooft and Greg Jones) which is considered a successor to the Blackzilians.[5]
Instructors
- Henri Hooft, head and striking coach
- Greg Jones, Wrestling coach
- Neil Melanson, head grappling coach. His style is heavily influenced by the Hayastan school which mixes Catch as catch can wrestling with Judo and Sambo.
- Jorge Santiago, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach
