Firas Zhabi joins Team Florian as their new stand up coach. (Photo by Wayne Boran)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada is becoming a popular to train these days, as it is the home of Firas Zahabi and the Tri-Star Gym.
Zahabi is the world-reowned trainer of Georges St. Pierre, and was a vital cog in making GSP the world’s most dominant welterweight in the world.
Zahabi said that many fighters he trains are riding winning streaks, and given his history with St. Pierre, it isn’t too hard to believe.
“It’s rare that we lose a fight,” Zahabi said. “The guys come in and outwork everyone. It’s about working hard in the right direction.”
Fighters like Jon Jones, Kenny Florian and Jerome LeBanner are all working with Zahabi, adding to a growing list of fighters.
He credits the different style of training, and many fighters like Jones and recently Florian, have experimented with it and enjoyed it.
Zahabi said it’s all about drilling technique, and putting it in a challenging environment to make it better. He wants his fighters to avoid making it routine, so fighters don’t brush it off to side, which means a let down in training.
“It has to be different and to the right degree,” Zahabi said. “We have a very particular regiment.”
Being one of the most sought after trainers, doesn’t mean Zahabi knows everything about the MMA game. In fact, when new fighters come into his gym, he is quick to pick their brain about their strengths.
For example, he works with Jones and gives him different perspectives on striking, in return Jones shows people about Greco-Roman wrestling.
By bringing in Florian, Zahabi now has access to another high-level jiu-jitsu practitioner to help expand his knowledge on the sport.
“These guys are experts in technique and experts in their field,” Zahabi said. “Everyone is sharing and we’re looking to better one another. I’ve never seen a gym that does it as much as we do. We all take care of each other and all strengthen each other.”
He added that working with the likes of Greg Jackson has also expanded his knowledge, but he credits one unknown trainer for coming up with a way to pass B.J. Penn’s guard.
That man is John Danaher.
“He’s one of the most unknown guys in our camp,” Zahabi said. “He makes sure to have an incredible formula for Georges. He’s the guy who is responsible for Georges’ ground game.”
As for St. Pierre, Zahabi said that he has already recovered from his UFC 100 injury and is wrestling. But from a trainer’s perspective, he always sees the benefits of St. Pierre having some time off.
“It’s extremely important for his personal life to develop,” Zahabi said of GSP’s break. “The guy was training like a soldier and a monk. It was incredible. He’d wake up, train, nap, get a massage, visit the sports psychologist and train some more.”
He added that Georges is bettering his career with his new found fame and fortune. GSP’s most recent addition to his camp — having personal chefs prepare him a diet to give him a better edge in the cage.
“It’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity for him,” Zahabi said. “If you take these small edges and keep scraping the bottom of the barrel, at the end, you have a good chunk of leverage over your opponent.”
I think Zahabi’s doing an incredibe job as a trainer. I mean, GSP’s one of the most exciting fighter in the league and I think that Zahabi’s got a lot to do with that. I’m from Montreal and I’m really proud that our city is getting on the map because of guys like Zahabi and GSP. Congrats to you guys!