Top 5 MMA gyms with a star-studded roster

#4. Sanford MMA gym

Michael Chandler trains at Sanford MMA | Image credit: Sanford Health News

Sanford MMA is currently one of the top-ranked gyms in the world. In 2017, Greg Jones and Henri Hooft founded Hard Knocks 365, based in Florida. However, it was acquired by Sanford Health in 2019 as part of a sponsorship deal. The gym was later rebranded as Sanford MMA.

The gym received a lot of investment. Facilities were upgraded and a clinic was built adjacent to the venue. Many of Sanford MMA's fighters are signed with the biggest promotions.

It is one of the most star-studded MMA gyms in the world, having trained fighters like Kamaru Usman, Gilbert Burns, Michael Chandler, Robbie Lawler, Luke Rockhold, and Vitor Belfort.

Henri Hooft talks about Kamaru Usman leaving Sanford MMA:

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#3. Jackson-Wink MMA

Jon Jones and Holly Holm at Jackson-Wink MMA | Image Credit: Albuquerque Journal

Greg Jackson founded the Jackson-Wink MMA academy in 1992 as Jackson's MMA academy. However, the name was later changed to Jackson-Wink MMA, perhaps with the addition of Mike Winkeljohn. The MMA gym is highly reputed for producing and training superstar athletes. Diego Sanchez, Keith Jardine, and Rashad Evans are a few of the superstar names associated with the gym.

It was due to the success enjoyed by the aforementioned MMA athletes, Jackson-Wink MMA became one of the most popular attractions in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It has now become one of the most successful MMA gyms, having trained fighters like Jon Jones, Holly Holm, Michelle Waterson, and Mike Perry.

Celebrity fighters such as Georges St-Pierre and Andrei Arlovski were also known to frequent Jackson-Wink MMA back in the day. It is today considered to be one of the most respectable MMA gyms in the world.