The MMA community is reeling from the devastating lack of Duke Roufus, the legendary kickboxing champion, world-renowned coach, and founding father of Milwaukee’s iconic Roufusport MMA Academy, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday on the age of 55. Scott Joffe, Roufus’s longtime business partner and co-founder of Roufusport, confirmed the heartbreaking news via social media on Friday, leaving fighters, coaches, and fans across the globe stunned by the sudden departure of one in every of the game’s most influential figures.
Duke Roufus was greater than a celebrated trainer and champion kickboxer—he was a mentor, innovator, father figure, and friend whose influence transformed the landscape of MMA. His knowledge, charisma, and fervour inspired countless fighters to succeed in heights they never imagined possible, from world champions to first-day students who felt his real care and unwavering belief of their potential. The loss leaves an irreplaceable void in the game and within the hearts of all who knew him.
A Dominant Force within the Kickboxing Ring
Before becoming one in every of MMA’s most respected coaches, Duke Roufus carved out a legendary profession as an expert kickboxer, following within the footsteps of his older brother, Rick “The Jet” Roufus, a multiple-time world kickboxing champion. Duke began training in martial arts on the age of 4 and eventually became a fearsome competitor within the ring, compiling a powerful skilled kickboxing record of 36 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw, with 26 victories coming by knockout. He also went 2-0 in skilled boxing.
Throughout the Nineties, Roufus accrued a rare collection of world championships across multiple organizations, establishing himself as one in every of the game’s premier super heavyweight competitors. His accolades included the 1993 WKA North American Super Heavyweight Championship, the 1995 WAKO World Super Heavyweight Championship, the 1995 ISKA World Super Heavyweight Championship, the 1995 WKA World Super Heavyweight Championship, the 1996 WKBA World Super Heavyweight Championship, the 1997 KICK World Super Heavyweight Championship, and the 1998 IKF World Super Heavyweight Championship. This remarkable collection of titles across seven different sanctioning bodies demonstrated his dominance and flexibility as a kickboxer.
Constructing an MMA Dynasty in Milwaukee
Following his retirement from lively competition, Duke Roufus transitioned seamlessly into coaching and founded Roufusport MMA Academy in 1993 within the basement of his father’s Milwaukee-based martial arts school. Alongside his business partner Scott Joffe, whom he worked with for 29 years, Roufus built Roufusport into one in every of the world’s premier mixed martial arts training facilities. The gym became renowned for producing elite-level fighters and world champions, with Roufus recognized as one of the knowledgeable Americans on Muay Thai kickboxing and widely considered one in every of the world’s top striking and MMA coaches.
Roufus’s coaching resume reads like a who’s who of mixed martial arts champions and contenders. His most notable and defining relationship was with the Pettis brothers, Anthony and Sergio. Anthony “Showtime” Pettis became the ultimate WEC lightweight champion in history, famous for executing the legendary “Showtime kick” off the cage in December 2010. Under Roufus’s guidance, Anthony went on to capture the UFC lightweight championship in August 2013 when he submitted Benson Henderson in Milwaukee.
The bond between Roufus and Anthony transcended the standard coach-fighter relationship—when Anthony’s father was killed, Roufus stepped in as a father figure. “When my dad was killed you took me in and have become my father,” Anthony wrote on Instagram following Roufus’s death. “Together we did the unimaginable and made it to the highest! I’ll all the time make you proud. You have taught me a lot. I’ll ensure that your legacy continues on”.
When my dad was killed you took me in and have become my father…. Together we did the unimaginable and made it to the highest!
I’ll all the time make you proud, you’ve taught me a lot. I’ll ensure that your legacy continues on. #RIP Coach 🙏 pic.twitter.com/wRwkcoDT8A
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) October 18, 2025
Sergio Pettis, Anthony’s younger brother, also flourished under Roufus’s tutelage, capturing the Bellator bantamweight championship. Earlier this month, Roufus played a critical role in guiding Sergio to a Knockout of the 12 months candidate performance with a powerful spinning back elbow finish against Magomed Magomedov at PFL Dubai.
Beyond the Pettis brothers, Roufus coached a powerful roster of world champions and top contenders. Former UFC welterweight champions Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley and Belal Muhammad each trained under Roufus at Roufusport. Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas honed her skills on the Milwaukee gym. Former U.S. Olympian Ben Askren, who captured championships in each Bellator and ONE Championship before competing within the UFC, was one other notable Roufusport product.
The list of elite fighters who passed through Roufusport’s doors includes former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver, The Ultimate Fighter Season One star Stephan Bonnar, WWE superstar CM Punk during his transition to MMA, and top UFC contenders including Erik Koch, Paul Felder, Maycee Barber, Jared Gordon, Ben Rothwell, Matt Mitrione, Alan Belcher, Pat Barry, Pascal Krauss, Dustin Ortiz, and Bellator star Emmanuel “El Matador” Sanchez. Roufus was considered one of the recognizable MMA and striking coaches in North America and one in every of the highest trainers of Muay Thai outside of Thailand.
An Enduring Legacy of Excellence
Duke Roufus’s impact on MMA extends far beyond the championships and accolades his fighters achieved. He was an innovator who helped shape modern MMA striking, mixing his deep knowledge of Muay Thai, kickboxing, boxing, and traditional martial arts right into a comprehensive system that produced a few of the sport’s most dynamic strikers. He also promoted combat sports events throughout the U.S. Midwest through the North American Fighting Championship (NAFC), which he operated with Joffe and which served as a launching pad for a lot of current and former MMA stars.
Roufus held a fourth-degree black belt in Roufusport Kickboxing, a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo, and a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, demonstrating his commitment to mastering multiple martial arts disciplines. He also served as a color commentator for K-1 broadcasts on ESPN2 and made appearances on TSN in Canada, Walker Texas Ranger, and Fox’s Best Rattling Sport’s Show Period.
The culture Roufus built at Roufusport was rooted in respect, exertions, and family—values that may survive through the fighters, coaches, and students who proudly carry his torch. Though the Roufusport family and martial arts community grieve deeply, Roufusport MMA Academy will proceed forward, driven by Duke’s enduring philosophy and commitment to excellence. His impact will echo in every strike, every lesson, and each victory that bears the Roufusport name. Duke Roufus leaves behind an irreplaceable legacy as a champion, coach, mentor, and father figure whose influence will proceed to encourage generations of martial artists for years to return.