Duke Roufus, skilled kickboxer, combined martial arts (MMA) coach, and promoter, has handed away at age 55.
Scott Joffe, one of many head coaches at Roufusport posted the information on Fb on Friday after Roufus handed away in his sleep on Thursday. The message expressed deep sorrow and highlighted Roufus’s profound affect as a mentor, innovator, and father determine within the martial arts group.
“In the present day, the Roufusport household and martial arts world was surprised by the heartbreaking information that Duke Roufus, world-renowned prime MMA coach, founder, and namesake of Roufusport MMA Academy, handed away peacefully in his sleep,” Joffe wrote on Fb. “Duke was greater than a celebrated coach and champion kickboxer—he was a mentor, innovator, father and pal whose affect remodeled the panorama of combined martial arts. His information, charisma, and fervour impressed numerous fighters to achieve heights they by no means imagined doable. From world champions to first-day college students, everybody who crossed his path felt his real care and unwavering perception of their potential. His loss leaves an irreplaceable void within the sport and within the hearts of all who knew him.
“Although we grieve deeply, Roufusport MMA Academy will proceed ahead, pushed by Duke’s enduring philosophy and dedication to excellence. The tradition he constructed—rooted in respect, laborious work, and household—will dwell on by means of the fighters, coaches, and college students who proudly carry his torch. His affect will echo in each strike, each lesson, and each victory that bears the Roufusport identify.”
Roufus started his skilled kickboxing profession in 1988 and competed primarily within the heavyweight division till his retirement in 2007, compiling a file of 36 wins (26 by knockout), 8 losses, and 1 draw. He additionally had a quick skilled boxing file of 2-0. His model blended parts of kickboxing, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Karate, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
After retiring from competitors, Roufus transitioned into teaching and have become one of the vital revered putting coaches in MMA. He co-founded and served as head coach of Roufusport MMA Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, alongside enterprise associate Scott Joffe and fighter Anthony Pettis. The fitness center emphasised a tradition of respect, laborious work, and household, and it produced quite a few high-profile fighters.
Notable trainees included UFC Light-weight Champion Anthony Pettis, his brother Sergio Pettis, former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley, former Bellator Champion Ben Askren (a U.S. Olympian), Pat Barry, Erik Koch, Ben Rothwell, Matt Mitrione, Jens Pulver, Alan Belcher, Stephan Bonnar, and former WWE star CM Punk throughout his MMA transition. Roufus and Joffe additionally operated the North American Preventing Championship (NAFC) for MMA and kickboxing occasions, which helped launch many careers.
Moreover, he labored as a shade commentator for Okay-1 on ESPN2, appeared on TSN in Canada, and featured on exhibits like Walker, Texas Ranger and Fox’s Finest Rattling Sports activities Present Interval. He based the Duke Roufus Putting College, a web-based coaching platform providing tons of of hours of content material for fighters, college students, and coaches.
