The MMA Plus team select their end of year awards for 2016. In this edition, the staff members select their coach of the year. But will the team agree on a majority winner?
The categories for the MMA Plus awards are: Fighter of the year, Coach of the year, Fight of the year, Event of the year, Upset of the year, Knockout of the year, Submission of the year, Breakout star of 2016.
MMA Plus 2016 Coach of the Year picks
Seán Ryan: Coach of the Year – Jason Parillo
A man who doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Again a few different guys who this award could go to, but Parillo is the man for me. Just look at Mike Bisping’s year. And at Cyborg (forgetting drugs and all that). Parillo is the main man at the moment.
Stuart Rodger: Coach of the Year – Mike Brown
Currently home to three UFC world champions, American Top Team have had an extremely good 2016 and none more so than ever present coach Mike Brown. Working in the gym and in the corner for Amanda Nunes and Tyrone Woodley, Brown would add Joanna Jedrzejczyk to his stable before her title defence at UFC 205. Known as influential and the driving force behind his fighters, it’s impossible to ignore the improvements made under Brown’s tutelage and the confidence in which his fighters carry into the octagon.
Roberto Reid: Coach of the Year – Jason Parillo
The man behind Cris “Cyborg” Justino, Tito Ortiz and UFC Middleweight champion Michael Bisping gets my vote.
Andreas Georgiou: Coach of the Year – Mike Brown
The proof is in the pudding for this award, American Top Team’s Mike Brown gets the nod from me. Three world champions in his squad (yes he technically inherited one in Joanna Jedrzejczyk) but huge victories for Amanda Nunes – toppling Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey – and Tyrone Woodley destroying Robbie Lawler. It’s been a big year at ATT.
Stephen Flynn: Coach of the Year – Jason Parillo
It has to be Jason Parillo, a coach of Michael Bisping’s who I have down as a close second for fighter of the year. He has improved Michael Bisping’s striking ten fold which was evident in his victory over legend Anderson Silva and his title victory over Luke Rockhold. He is now recognised as one of the best in the sport having also worked with fighters such a BJ Penn and Cyborg but after a year full of success with Bisping, Parrilo gets my vote.
Majority Decision: Michael Bisping’s head coach Jason Parillo takes the majority pick for 2016, after leading “The Count” to a world title win.
