One of the great pioneers of the sport.
Revered MMA coach Robert Follis died on Friday, and over the weekend the MMA world mourned his passing in confusion. The news was broken by his close associate Dewy Cooper’s touching Instagram post that included the words:
“A friend is a person who is there for you when you need an ear to listen or a shoulder to lean on. We are friends and I am terribly sorry that my ear or shoulder wasn’t enough to help you get through difficult times. We have love and respect for you Coach/Partner/Friend!”
On Monday, the Clark County (Nevada) Coroner confirmed that the death has been ruled a suicide.
An outpouring of grief and memory has come from the MMA community. Some of the most touching posts have come from aforementioned Dewy Cooper, along with one of Follis’ best known students, Kevin Lee.
Lee posted a photo from Follis’s Instagram captioned
“You don’t realize how much of an impact you had on my life. A good coach is so much more than someone to teach techniques. Through the darkest moments in my career and life you’ve helped me see the light and keep pushing. I thank you for everything and apologize for everything more. The next gold belt is for you.”
Follis coached Lee at Xtreme Coture in Las Vegas, but left earlier this month with plans to found his own gym.
In 1998, the Oregon native got his start with coaching Team Quest in Portland, guiding the likes of Randy Couture, Dan Henderson and Chael Sonnen. He worked there as coach and co-owner for 10 years before moving on to Xtreme Coture.
Follis’ girlfriend, Myra Fukuno, wrote a tribute to Follis on Facebook.
“He was kind. He was loving. He was compassionate. Robert was an incredible teacher, who opened our minds and created a space where we knew learning was possible. He had a way of pulling the best out of us. He will be remembered as a beloved friend, brother, son, mentor, and coach by many.”
Follis’ family has asked for privacy during this difficult time. But an e-mail address has been established for those who knew Follis to share stories and photos:
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