Ray Longo says the 'book is almost closed' on gym's legendary run

LAS VEGAS – If the universe ends in 100 years, 1,000 years, or 1 million years, and an MMA history book is penned in the months leading up, Ray Longo will always be one of the coaches with a meaningful chapter.

As he stood on the red carpet at T-Mobile Arena, moments be inducting arguably his most legendary student, Chris Weidman, into the UFC Hall of Fame, Longo reflected on that era of fighters who found success through his guidance at Serra-Longo MMA and Longo and Weidman MMA.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Longo told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “I’m super close with Chris. We did this out of a 3,500-square-foot gym. Nobody realized how small it was. Just the camaraderie we had. I’ll tell you when (Matt) Serra won the title, it was a 2,500-square-foot gym. We really went big time. We added another 1,000 square feet. Then for (Aljamain Sterling) and Merab (Dvalishvili), we added another 2,000 and went to 5,500. But anyway, I think that’s the story, that all of these guys were five minutes from the gym. They threw their first punch with me in a pro MMA fight and I’m just happy it worked out.”

Longo first opened his gym in 1990. Over the next 35 years, it became a breeding ground for champions and challengers alike – all while keeping the professional team relatively small compared to other gyms. Many of its most notable alumni were Long Island born and raised.

“It was a special time,” Longo said. “I don’t think it’s ever coming back. The way things are today, I just don’t see the young fighters with the grit and determination that all those guys had. I think they’re given too much stuff at too early of a time or they expect too many things too early of a time. I think it weakens them. It’s like if you put a guy on welfare, why does he want to get off if you keep giving him everything. I think those times for me will never come back. I think that’s why when I was writing the speech it brought out a lot of emotions of what we were really doing back then with a small gym. We were a powerhouse when everybody was in that gym, the (Al) Iaquintas, the Sterlings, Dvalishvili, we had Costa Philippou. We had a small bunch of guys, but guys who worked together. We were getting sh*t done back then.”

So what does the future hold? It’s tough to say. Maybe of the more notable professionals either split time between the gym and somewhere else, or have migrated to the West Coast entirely. As proud as Longo is of his accomplishments, he seemed to indicated Friday that all good things must come to an end. Longo also thanked his former student and longtime coaching partner Matt Serra for his contributions to the success.

“I think it’s almost closed at this point,” Longo said. “I hate to say it. The other thing I want to say, too, is that I wouldn’t be here without Matt Serra. Even though he was always gracious to put me in front of everybody and have me have the limelight, there wasn’t a decision made without me consulting him. We talked every day. We still talk every day and I want to make sure he gets in there. It really isn’t about me. It’s really about me and him. We were the team.”

So what was the secret sauce all those years? How was Longo able to win titles with four different fighters across multiple generations – from Matt Serra to Chris Weidman to Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili? It’s all about passion and common ground.

“You see (Justin Gaethje) and (Trevor) Wittman,” Longo said. “You could see they have a connection. It’s not a huge gym with 50 people. It’s not a mega gym. But you can see those guys are close. I think Eugene Bareman does a great job with those guys (at City Kickboxing). They’re not what they were a couple years ago. But I think if you keep it small and build a connection, I think to me that’s always my success ratio – more than technique, more than anything. Get guys who want to win for themselves and for you. You need a passionate fighter and a passionate coach. When you put those two things together, you’ve got something. When you’ve got 50 guys in the gym, you just can’t do it. It’s impossible.”

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Ray Longo says the ‘book is almost closed’ on gym’s legendary run