Fortis MMA’s Sayif Saud mulling teaching future as workforce approaches a hundredth UFC win

Coaches are among the many most unheralded folks within the MMA area, and though Fortis MMA’s Sayif Saud has received recognition for his work, there comes some extent the place success fails to offset private sacrifice.

That may be a crossroad Saud is grappling with as he enters the twentieth 12 months of his teaching journey in 2025, and is on the cusp of a large private aim he set out for himself firstly.

After choosing up his first teaching win within the nook of Sean Spencer in opposition to Yuri Villefort at UFC Combat Evening 28 in September 2013, Saud has gone on to rack up 97 whole victories below the UFC banner. Fortis MMA is now residence to notables corresponding to former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno (who introduced Saud his first UFC title victory), Geoff Neal, Macy Chiasson, Ryan Spann and plenty of extra.

The Dallas-based Fortis MMA has grown into every part Saud hoped and dreamed for it to be, however it has come at a price. There’s a large time dedication to not solely prepare athletes within the gymnasium, however to journey virtually weekly and be by their sides by means of battle week, weight cuts, and naturally, the fights themselves. Now, as he nears a monumental milestone of workforce wins, Saud is mulling what his remaining time within the sport goes to seem like as the worth of his private life turns into a larger precedence.

“I at all times mentioned that 100 UFC wins and I used to be going to be accomplished,” Saud advised MMA Junkie. “100 UFC wins, win a title – I wish to win a title again and get it yet another time for (Moreno) – however 100 wins and this shall be 20 years. Subsequent 12 months shall be 20 years. 2005 is once I began. I moved to Albuquerque in 2006, then got here to Dallas in 2009, and now in 2025, it will likely be 20 years in MMA. And it’s been nice, man. It’s been an unbelievable run, however it’s undoubtedly coming in the direction of the top.

“I sit up for being residence and form of spending time with my youngsters. I don’t actually understand how good it’s to be residence and simply be round my household, be round my youngsters and be round them and see them and hug them and kiss them. Simply be round them extra as they’re getting older. I’m entering into a distinct interval in my life. I’m 44 and attending to the following technology of men, we’re going to hopefully put that 100 up on the board.”

Saud could hit the 100 wins mark within the first few months of 2025. The workforce opens its 12 months with Diego Ferreira taking over Grant Dawson at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, Chiasson faces Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 252 on Feb. 22, and Spann clashes with Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Fight Night 254 on March 15.

All of these matchups have particular person divisional significance, and a 3-0 sweep would deliver Saud to the 100 mark. All the things is turning into actual now, and it creates questions on how he might transition out of working such a profitable facility.

For Saud, a few of these questions nonetheless want solutions, however his need is to maintain the way forward for Fortis MMA in-house.

“Spann is at all times like, ‘Coach, I’m going to be the champ and I’m going to purchase the gymnasium,’” Saud mentioned. “He’s so loveable. I’m like, ‘All proper, let’s do this.’ Then he advised me, ‘I wish to get you that a hundredth win.’ He’s combating in March so he’s like, ‘I wish to be the man.’ My aim was for these guys to take over the gymnasium. I don’t suppose they’re prepared for that but. However for them to get slightly bit older and take over the gymnasium and so they take it over and so they increase the brand new crop, then it’s like a legacy. The sensei passes it all the way down to the following sensei then the following sensei. It retains going.

“Our gymnasium is so natural. I began it. Each fighter is from there. It’s actually totally different. We have now extra (Dana White’s) Contender (Collection) wins than anybody else. Now I believe perhaps extra UFC wins within the final 5, six years (than anybody). It’s undoubtedly up there and all of it got here from that one place. It’s actually distinctive, and I wish to see that proceed. I wish to see one in all them take the gymnasium over. I might pop in from time to time. I might nonetheless come work out within the morning.”

FULL INTERVIEW

Though the varied profession paths of his fighters makes it tough to know precisely when he would stroll away from teaching, Saud mentioned the indicators for his departure are getting stronger and tougher to disregard.

He thinks his information and talent as a coach are as robust as ever, however so are his instincts as a father.

“I don’t even scream anymore – I’m too previous for that sh*t,” Saud mentioned. “I’ve advanced. I’ve modified and the game modifications and you alter and I really feel like I’m in all probability the very best I’ve ever been, however it’s not about that. It’s concerning the time away from my household. When is sufficient, sufficient? I’ve missed (my youngsters) complete childhood. My daughter is about to be 14. She’s so good at volleyball and so they’re actually excelling. My spouse is at all times taking them all over the place and doing every part by herself. It’s actually similar to, at what level do you retain sacrificing these reminiscences in your youngsters?

“I don’t want something. I’d somewhat be with my youngsters extra and see my youngsters. While you’re younger you wish to show your self within the highlight. I really feel actually blessed to have been in a position to try this and had superb experiences within the UFC. What a tremendous journey – all of it. Having a gymnasium. Beginning it in my thoughts and having it come to fruition and profitable Group of the Yr and Health club of the Yr and all these things. It’s been nice. I really feel actually blessed, however we’ll see. Perhaps 20 years. Perhaps that is the final 12 months.”