While Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has exploded in popularity worldwide, there is one gym that has emerged as the dominant camp in Canada. Headed by Firas Zahabi, Tri-Star gym is home to such notable Canadian fighters as current UFC welterweight champ George St. Pierre and Rory MacDonald, who is originally from BC.
On a recent trip to Montreal I had the opportunity to visit Tri-Star and see the hallowed mats upon which the elite of Canadian MMA train. The gym is housed on the second floor of an unassuming apartment building near downtown Montreal. It is only when you get inside and see the walls covered with the pictures of champions that you truly get a sense of how successful the gym has become, not only in the sport of MMA, but also in other arenas of martial arts as well.
While at Tri-Star I spoke to Neil “The Buzzsaw” Sheppard about why he trains there and what competitive advantage he feels the coaching and fighters there give him in his own burgeoning MMA career.
Q: How long have you trained at Tri-Star?
A: For four years.
Q: What is your record?
A: 5 and 0.
Q: Why do you think that tri-star and Firas Zahabi MMA have become such successful camps?
A: Firas knows everything. He is constantly improving aspects of your game. Also there are so many good guys here that no matter what style you are training you will be able to find someone to train with.
Q: Do you train personally with Firas Zahabi.
A: Firas is my head coach. To me Firas is like Jesus. I am a disciple of Firas. If he were to move to another city I would follow him to keep training with him.
Q: What is the hardest thing about being a fighter?
A: Money. When you are starting out you have to train two times a day and it’s hard to find a job that you can fit around that schedule.
Q: What are your goals as a fighter?
A: One day I would like to fight in the UFC.
Q: When is your next fight?
A: Fight quest 14, Jan 22nd in Laval, Quebec.
Q: Thanks for your time and good luck in your next fight.
A: Thanks.
