Duke Roufus, Kickboxing Legend and MMA Trainer, Passes Away
The mixed martial arts (MMA) world mourns the loss of Duke Roufus, a renowned former kickboxer and one of the most respected coaches in the history of this sport. Roufus, founder of Roufusport in Milwaukee, passed away on Thursday at the age of 55, while sleeping, according to his friend and business partner, Scott Joffe. Roufus stood out in the MMA community as the head coach of multiple former world champions, leaving an indelible legacy in the sports field.- Anthony Pettis
- Sergio Pettis
- Tyron Woodley
- Ben Askren
Roufus’ relationship with the Pettis brothers was a defining chapter in his career. Anthony, former UFC lightweight champion, shared an emotional message on Instagram.Before his successful coaching career, Roufus also made his mark in kickboxing, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Rick Roufus. During his career as a kickboxer, he obtained several titles in organizations such as WKA, WAKO, WKBA, KICK, and IKF.“Today, the Roufusport family and the martial arts world were shocked by the heartbreaking news of the passing of Duke Roufus, renowned MMA coach, founder and namesake of Roufusport MMA Academy, who passed away peacefully in his sleep,” Joffe wrote on Facebook. “Duke was more than a celebrated kickboxing coach and champion; he was a mentor, innovator, father, and friend whose influence transformed the landscape of mixed martial arts.”
Scott Joffe
