{"id":223011,"date":"2025-10-18T15:29:21","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T15:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/223011\/"},"modified":"2025-10-18T15:29:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T15:29:21","slug":"legendary-kickboxer-and-mma-coach-duke-roufus-dead-at-55","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/223011\/","title":{"rendered":"Legendary kickboxer and MMA coach Duke Roufus dead at 55"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JAKE FENNER, US SPORTS WRITER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 10:34 EDT, 18 October 2025 | Updated: 10:34 EDT, 18 October 2025 <\/p>\n

Duke Roufus, a former kickboxer and a well-respected mixed martial arts trainer, has died at the age of 55.<\/p>\n

The news was announced by his longtime friend and business partner, Scott Joffe, who revealed on Friday that he had died in his sleep the day prior.<\/p>\n

In a lengthy tribute, Joffe celebrated Roufus’ legacy, saying he was more than a ‘celebrated trainer and champion kickboxer’ but also a ‘mentor, innovator, father and friend whose influence transformed the landscape of mixed martial arts.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Joffe added, ‘His knowledge, charisma, and passion inspired countless fighters to reach heights they never imagined possible.’<\/p>\n

In that post, Joffe confirmed that the Roufusport MMA Academy will continue.<\/p>\n

Roufus, who coached multiple world champions – including Tyron Woodley<\/a>, Ben Askren, and brothers Anthony and Sergio Pettis – was an accomplished athlete in his own right.<\/p>\n

\"Duke <\/p>\n

Duke Roufus, a champion kickboxer and MMA trainer, has died at the age of 55<\/p>\n

\"Roufus, <\/p>\n

Roufus, who trained multiple UFC champions, received an outpouring of praise<\/p>\n

He earned multiple titles across his kickboxing career, fighting for the final time in 2008.<\/p>\n

Tributes have poured in for Roufus, including from UFC president Dana White who posted a picture of the two together along with the caption ‘RIP’.<\/p>\n

Anthony Pettis also posted a gallery of images to Instagram of their time together in training and outside the octagon.<\/p>\n

‘When my dad was killed you took me in and became my father…. Together we did the impossible and made it to the top!’ Pettis captioned his post.<\/p>\n

‘I will always make you proud, you’ve taught me so much. I will make sure your legacy continues on.’<\/p>\n

Askren also posted a tribute, saying, ‘Got terrible news last night that my long time MMA coach passed.<\/p>\n

‘Made me think back to when I moved to Milwaukee to be a full time MMA fighter in 2011. @coachdukeroufus welcomed me with open arms. I would watch him do for [so] many others over the preceding years, he was really special in that respect.<\/p>\n

‘Duke built a really amazing culture which allowed so many to thrive. Duke was truly an MMA pioneer, he will be missed greatly.’<\/p>\n

CM Punk, the WWE superstar who briefly fought in the UFC, was also trained by Roufus. He posted, ‘[Waking] up in Japan trying to process the news. It’ll take a while. You made me a better person, coach.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

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