This summer will see the Class of 2023 inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame during UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas, and proceedings will be watched from afar by one proud coach in particular.
Marc Fiore co-founded The Hit Squad back in the early 2000s with UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes, and Robbie Lawler spent time as part of their collective.
Now, with Fiore returning to the sport with a new prospect-based team, MMA Fight Academy, in San Diego, Lawler’s former wrestling coach said he was delighted to see another of his charges get the honor of being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his fight with Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 in July 2015.
“Oh, it’s great,” Fiore told Fighters Only during for the MMA Fight Academy/Mola TV media day in San Diego.
“I mean, the kid lived with me. I trained him. I owned a gym with him. Matt Hughes is in the Hall of Fame and he has a Hall of Fame fight. Now Robbie’s got a Hall of Fame fight.
“I’ve been a part of their journeys, and I’m glad I got to be a part of all these guys’ successes. Robbie’s a big part of where I am today. Hopefully, Robbie can say some good words about me, and you know, we always wanted the best for each other.
“So I loved it (when I heard) and it’s emotional to me. It means a lot. And it just tells you that, as a coach, maybe you’re doing things right.”