On October 16th, the MMA world suffered a heartbreaking loss as legendary coach and kickboxer Duke Roufus passed away at just 55 years of age, leaving the entire community in shock. Throughout his coaching journey, Roufus transformed countless lives through Roufusport, his Milwaukee-based martial arts academy, which helped launch the careers of fighters like Belal Muhammad and Anthony Pettis. For his contributions, fighters across the sport have been sharing deeply emotional reactions. Joining them, Brendan Allen also paid tribute to Roufus following his UFC Vancouver victory. 

After defeating Reinier de Ridder, ‘All-In’ opened up about how he learned of the legendary coach. Speaking on the ESPN post-fight show, Allen explained, “This fight week wasn’t perfect. I came in heavier than normal because it was a short camp, and my body didn’t really have time to adjust. My team kept me on track.” Here, he admitted the entire week felt off, with his weight cut not going as smoothly as usual. However, things took a heavier turn when his teammate and ex-170 lbs champ Belal Muhammad told him that their former coach, Duke Roufus, had passed away while he was on his way to his Airbnb after weigh-ins. 

Brendan Allen reacts to Duke Roufus’ passing after UFC Vancouver victory 

Continuing the interview at ESPN’s post-show, Allen added, “Then in the weigh-ins, I see All in all around this thing and my name above it. I was like Damn, this is crazy! And on literally going back to the Airbnb, Belal got the word that Duke had passed away. And it really hit home. Obviously, if you have someone that you have been around and you have been in the room every day with. For years, I was with him for years, and it really hit home. I was so sorry for his family, mostly for his daughter. I knew those people. I knew them.”  

For the unversed, Duke Roufus also played a major role in Brendan Allen’s early MMA success. According to a Fighters Only article, Allen began training under the late coach in Milwaukee to sharpen his striking skills. After spending years under Roufus’ guidance, the South Carolina native eventually made the move to Kill Cliff FC, while his former teammate Belal shifted to the Chicago Fight Team. 

However, it wasn’t just Allen or Belal whose MMA careers were shaped by Roufus. Former lightweight fighter Paul Felder was also one of the late coach’s prized students. At UFC Vancouver, Felder was visibly emotional over his mentor’s passing and could barely hold back tears while remembering his late coach. 

Paul Felder almost breaks down talking about Duke Roufus   

Well, just like the other fighters, retired lightweight Paul Felder was also part of Duke Roufus’s amazing list of talented students. In January 2017, ‘The Irish Dragon’ joined Roufusport and remained there for most of his UFC career. So when the promotion paid tribute to the late, great MMA coach at UFC Vancouver, and showed a few walkouts of Felder alongside Roufus, he couldn’t help but get emotional. 

While commentating at UFC Vancouver, Felder said, “Duke was an absolute legend. Not just as a kickboxer, but as a coach, a man, and, more importantly, as a father.” With his voice breaking, the retired lightweight reflected on how Duke Roufus was not only a great coach but also an incredible family man. 

He added, “He’s leaving behind a young girl who loves him more than anything in the world, so we’re thinking about the family first and foremost. Duke he just took guys in and became a father figure to so many of us. He was more than just a coach to me. He was more than just a coach to everyone who ever worked with him.” 

And that’s how a true coach builds a legacy, one that lives on through the respect and memories of his students long after he’s gone. That said, what are your thoughts on the UFC fighters paying tribute to Duke Roufus? Let us know in the comments below.