Although he chose one of the coldest weeks in decades to pay the MMA Clinic a visit – his welcome was anything but chilly.
As corner man to UFC champions, Matt Hughes and Robbie Lawler – being a guest coach in the UK was a first for Fiore. So magnetic was his appearance at the Clinic, artic conditions and winter’s erratic transport did little to deter members as each session was packed full with fighters eager to soak up the tips being tossed their way.
Marc Fiore had been invited to be guest coach at The MMA Clinic in London by its founder Graham Boylan. Graham had spent a month at Fiore’s HIT Squad in the US over a year ago and always keen to mix a little business with 
pleasure invited Fiore to run two three hour workshops for keen MMAers as well as put the Clinic coaches through their paces each afternoon. As a bonus, Fiore stepped up to help out in every MMA session that week to share his knowledge with anyone willing to listen and learn.
Here’s what Coach Fiore had this to say about his week in London; “The first thing I noticed was the camaraderie between the coaches and the students. It had the same atmosphere as the HIT Squad – a real family atmosphere”. He continues, “My goal for the workshops was not to go over one or two moves within the three hour sessions, it was to show as many moves po
ssible in that time frame. Both workshops were sold out so I was happy with that”.
Time flew for Fiore, “The work ethic of the members was at a high level because all the students were like sponges wanting to learn what I was teaching. My classes went by fast because the students and I had fun while doing the classes”.
In fact, Coach Fiore was impressed with the whole set up; from the Clinic facilities, the members’ eagerness to learn and the high level of expertise displayed by the MMA Clinic coaches.
“The work ethic and knowledge of the MMA Clinic coaches was top of the line! Their head 
MMA coach, Paul, reminds me of me, where he has love and passion for the sport and is concerned with the well being of his fighters.
“As for the facilities; you made great use of the space. With the cage, numerous bags on first floor and second floor had great strength and conditioning as well as the boxing ring”.
On a final note, coach Fiore offers high praise when asked if he would recommend the MMA Clinic, “I’d highly recommend it. High level coaches and also a cage to train in. I’d even be comfortable training a UFC fighter at the Clinic because I know MMA Clinic fighters would rise to the UFC fighter’s level.” Praise doesn’t come better than that.
It was a first for Fiore and a first for the Clinic. One can’t help thinking that it won’t be the last …. watch this space!
By S Finnegan
020210
