Former Xtreme Couture Coach Robert Follis Passes Away

Former Xtreme Couture coach Robert Follis has passed away, details about the coach's passing has yet to be revealed.

Follis coached a who’s who in the MMA world while at Xtreme Couture, including former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate, Kevin Lee, Heather Jo Clark, Chris Leben, Ryan Schultz, Ed Herman, Tim Elliott and many other greats who have passed through the famed gym. Follis had also been a co-owner at Team Quest before his long tenure as a coach with Xtreme Couture.

While the world awaits the details surrounding his passing, a plethora of tributes to Follis have popped up all over social media.

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 love and respect you Coach/Partner/Friend! RIP Robert Follis pic.twitter.com/RVSka0ZqUW

— Dewey Cooper (@DeweyCooper) December 17, 2017

I am in Finland at this moment and got word that Robert Follis has passed away. Hoping this is wrong!! This is a huge loss if true. One of the finest trainers and men in the world of MMA. Please, please be fake news

— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) December 17, 2017

I became good friends with Robert Follis throughout filming of TUF 25 I just stayed at his house last week I haven’t heard what happened can anyone fill me in? He was an awesome guy and the more I got to know him the more respect I had for him

— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) December 17, 2017

 

Heart Broken to hear the news about Coach Robert Follis. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and the fighters he trained. I remember his voice during my pro debut as he coached against me, and how kind he was after the fight. He was a father/mentor to so many of his athletes. Coach Follis always made time to talk to me about his athletes and their development. The way he spoke about them was the way a parent boasts about their children. We lost a big piece of our MMA community. He was both a pioneer in the beginning of MMA and an innovator in today’s evolving sport. My heart is with Ed Herman, Ryan Schultz, Chris Leben, Meisha Tate, Tim Elliott, and so many other fighters who are devastated right now. We won’t forget you Coach Follis. RIP

A post shared by Brian Stann (@brianstann) on Dec 17, 2017 at 9:05am PST

 

Deeply saddened this morning to learn that Robert Follis has passed away. Truly one of the best coaches and one of the most kind, considerate men I have met in MMA, or any walk of life. May he rest in peace. And may all the fighters he impacted continue his fine legacy. What a loss.

A post shared by Jon Anik (@jon_anik) on Dec 17, 2017 at 6:58am PST

Absolutely awful to hear that Robert Follis passed away — That man helped a ton of fighters, directly and indirectly. Hard to think of all the loved ones he leaves behind. — for everyone that was close to him, I’m so sorry.

— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) December 17, 2017

Can’t believe what I woke up to about Robert Follis. Truly a class act every single time I interacted with him. Great guy to be around and so knowledgeable. The MMA world will not be the same

— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) December 17, 2017

#RIPRobertFollis @RobertFollis
Coach Follis cornered against me twice in the @rfafighting, vs @silverxsmith & @bristolmarunde so he knew me well. When I had to fight teammate @dhlimamma on #TUF25 he was the 1st Coach I asked to corner me. We put on a great performance Together!!! pic.twitter.com/Iz6Q5ozzfI

— Gilbert Jamal Smith (@gjsvictorymma) December 17, 2017

Stunned and saddened to hear about Robert follis passing. We both graduated as instructors under @aliveness_ape he went on to do great things with Team Quest and more recently Extreme Couture. A truly great coach who was always quick to offer advice. RIP Robert

— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) December 17, 2017

Extremely saddened to hear the news about Robert Follis. Heartbroken for his family and close friends. He was truly one of the good guys in the sport.

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) December 17, 2017

Wordsmith @JESnowden summed up Robert Follis well: “He had that amazing positive energy. But not in a showy way. Just quietly picked people up and carried them forward.”

— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) December 17, 2017

At a loss for worlds. Lost a coach and a friend today. You gave me my brown belt and the encouragement to keep striving to be better in mma and in life. Rest In Peace coach @robertfollis #mma #mmacoach #xtremecouture #coach #rip #youwillbemissed #ufc #fightcoach pic.twitter.com/aYeRndonEL

— Justin Jaynes (@JustinJaynesMMA) December 17, 2017

 

Terrible news about @robertfollis and deeply sadden for all those who are affected. Glad I was able to work with such a powerful and inspiring person . #rip #mma

A post shared by Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) on Dec 17, 2017 at 9:30am PST

Fightful will pass along any more information on the beloved coach's passing as it becomes available.