Montreal native John Makdessi explains move from Tristar to Roufusport before UFC on FOX 26

WINNIPEG – MMA Fighters changing gyms is a common practice. There are some names closely associated with one training camp, though, and although John Makdessi called Montreal’s Tristar Gym home for the overwhelming majority of his career, he’s now moved elsewhere.

Makdessi (14-6 MMA, 7-6 UFC) parted ways with Tristar and joined Roufusport Training Center in Milwaukee ahead of Saturday’s UFC on FOX 26 showdown with Abel Trujillo (15-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC). Makdessi denies any hostility contributed to his decision, simply insisting it was finally time to pull the trigger on a change of scenery.

After going through a full training camp with his new team under the guidance of coach Duke Roufus, it appears Makdessi couldn’t be happier with his decision.

“There’s never a right timing in life,” Makdessi told MMAjunkie. “In life we try to control our environment. I was born in Canada, raised in Montreal. Obviously Tristar was right there. Obviously I give Tristar a lot of credit. I learned there and grew as a martial artist. I changed many gyms. I’ve changed many teachers, but at the end of the day as humans sometimes you grow apart. It’s all positive.

“Now I’m at Roufusport,” he continued. “A great bunch of guys there. I feel at home. I have a good connection with Duke. The most important thing for me has always been to have a good mental and emotion connection with your training.”

UFC on FOX 26 takes place at Bellator MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The lightweight bout between Makdessi and Trujillo airs on the FS1-televised prelims prior to the main card on FOX.

Makdessi hasn’t appeared in the octagon for more than a year following a brutal loss in his most recent bout. He was caught with a “Knockout of the Year” contender finish against Lando Vannata at UFC 206 in December 2016, marking the first time “The Bull” had been put out cold.

Makdessi admitted he went through some emotional and mental struggles but came out better on the other end. He credits the time off and change of camp to getting him back in the right place.

“I was uncertain (about my future),” Makdessi said. “A lot of things were happening. I want to step back and figure things out from a personal level, from a professional level. I wanted to be in a good state of mind before my next fight.”

Makdessi returns to action against somewhat of a familiar foe. He was scheduled to fight Trujillo at UFC 184 in April 2014, but the bout fell apart when “Killa” suffered a broken arm in training camp. Nearly four years later both men are still in the UFC, and the matchup is logical.

The two men have complimentary striking styles, and when the matchup was first announced it immediately gained traction as a potential “Fight of the Night.” Makdessi isn’t sure the fight is going to live up to those standards, but not because it won’t be exciting. Makdessi plans to put on a one-way display, but he said he’ll also be ready for three grueling rounds if need be.

“You never know (what’s going to happen),” Makdessi said. “The funny part about fighting, and that’s why people love it, is it’s unpredictable. That’s why people love it. You wake up, and you have no idea what’s going to happen. You have to adapt. You have to adjust. Of course my style naturally is just exciting. … My goal is to go out there and give a martial arts clinic. It takes two to dance.

For more on UFC on FOX 26, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.