Head Coach, MMA

Who We Are: UFC® is the world's premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 300 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 950 million households across more than 170 countries. UFC's athlete roster features the world's best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization's digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world's leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC. TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world's premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world's premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality. Position Summary: The UFC Performance Institute (UFCPI) is the world's first Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) multi-disciplinary research, innovation, and training center, and is globally recognized for the performance infrastructures it provides to UFC and UFC Academy athletes. With world-class facilities in Las Vegas, Shanghai, and Mexico City, the mission of the UFCPI is to promote performance-enhancement through the delivery of world-class coaching, science, and medical services to the world's best MMA and combat athletes. The core values of the UFCPI are aligned to maximizing the health and wellbeing of UFC athletes and to support fighters and coaches in optimizing their training, preparation, and ultimately performances in the octagon. The successful candidate for this role will join a world-class interdisciplinary team of service providers with a proven track record of delivering world-leading coaching support to MMA fighters and other professional athletes. The role will be integral in supporting the delivery of core training activities at the UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai, China, as well as engaging in wider business-related initiatives on a global scale. The UFC Performance Institute encourages innovative ways of thinking and challenges team members to be accountable for their professional standards of care while providing robust links to measurable performance outcomes in all that they do. The Head Coach - MMA will be responsible for creating, leading, and delivering MMA skills training of all disciplines to UFC Performance Institute Academy fighters in Shanghai, China. This role will direct the MMA coaching staff and ensure the development and delivery of a holistic MMA curriculum that is inclusive of all constituent fighting styles and techniques. They will also be responsible for working with the UFCPI interdisciplinary staff to ensure optimal delivery of supplementary performance services to athletes. The role will report to the Vice President, Athlete Development for the UFC Performance Institute. Responsibilities: Provide leadership and direction to a team of MMA and sport-specific coaches in all aspects of athlete development and the improvement of athlete technical competency. Contribute to developing and delivering a comprehensive MMA curriculum to UFC Performance Institute Academy athletes, as well as other athletes, as required. Design effective session plans and deliver coaching in MMA practices of every type and style. Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to identify best practices for delivering MMA training sessions as part of a holistic high-performance program. Work with Chinese coaches and translators to ensure athletes are fully engaged and understanding of training principles, technical and tactical requirements, and expectations relating to performance standards. Provide corner support to UFC Academy athletes in MMA competition throughout the region. Travel to third party MMA gyms throughout China and Asia to promote wider community relationships, deliver clinics and seminars, as well as oversee the delivery of MMA clinics at the UFCPI. Hold pads for athletes and participate in technical drills with athletes of all weight classes and backgrounds. Work with the Director of Athlete Recruitment and Relations on talent identification initiatives (including the UFCPI Academy Combine), talent development activities, talent transfer, defining MMA scouting criteria and ultimately the transition of athletes from the UFC Academy system into UFC competition. Maintain a comprehensive, indexed database of athlete MMA performance records and any associated progress reports. Contribute to the development and delivery of UFCPI educational, certification, and learning materials. Contribute to additional tasks, projects, and responsibilities relating to the success and ongoing development of the UFCPI Shanghai and the global UFCPI infrastructure. Have the ability to travel up to 15-20% as part of the requirements for the role. Skills & Experience: At least five years' experience coaching athletes that compete professionally in MMA or other combat sports. Experience in providing corner support in a high-level combat sports or MMA competition. A proven track record of coaching MMA fighters to success in various promotions at the professional level. Minimum two years' experience as head MMA coach. Must be skilled in at least one martial art, with a holistic knowledge of multiple martial arts. Experience working effectively with athletes and coaches. Experience competing in professional fighting, combat sports, or having MMA experience is preferred. Experience working in high-performance environments, preferably with elite athletes and coaches. Must have familiarity with the sport of MMA, including official rules, network of athletes and coaches, reputable gyms, and the overall culture of the sport. Must demonstrate outstanding leadership skills, with the ability to guide and mentor junior staff, and collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams (e.g., Strength & Conditioning, Nutrition, Sports Medicine). Dynamic and adaptable personality, highly motivated to innovate, embrace new ideas, and navigate challenges with a positive, solution-oriented approach. Must have excellent communication skills in English both verbally and in writing. Must have the ability and desire to learn some basic Mandarin. Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requires close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Additionally, the ability to distinguish letters, numbers and symbols is necessary. Frequently required to sit, stand, stretch, walk, push, pull, bend, reach, squat, talk, and hear. Must have the ability to use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. Ability to reach with hands and arms. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 lbs. Perform physical drills in the training environment and hold pads as required. Work Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment can be loud on occasions. The work environment is primarily indoors. This job requires some national and international travel. TKO EEO Statement: TKO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding non-discrimination in employment. TKO makes employment decisions based on merit and qualifications, without considering an employee's or applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under federal, state or local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. TKO also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state or local laws. For information about Privacy and Information Security for TKO employment candidates, please review our Privacy Policy. For information regarding Terms of Use for this and other TKO websites, please review our Terms of Use. UFC® is the world's premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 300 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 950 million households across more than 170 countries. UFC's athlete roster features the world's best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization's digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world's leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC. TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world's premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world's premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality.