MMA Coach Robert Follis' Death Ruled a Suicide by Clark County Coroner
The death of Robert Follis has been ruled a suicide.
Follis died on Friday, Dec. 15. On Monday, MMAFighting was first to report that Follis’ death had been deemed a suicide by the Clark County coroner. According to a spokesperson from the coroner’s office, the heralded mixed martial arts coach died of a single gunshot wound to the head off Nevada State Route 160.
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His death was first confirmed by girlfriend Myra Fukuno via Facebook.
“Robert Follis, a man who has touched and changed so many lives, passed away on Dec. 15, 2017,” wrote Fukuno. “He was kind. He was loving. He was compassionate. Robert was an incredible teacher, who opened our minds and created a space where we knew learning was possible.
“He had a way of pulling the best out of us. He will be remembered as a beloved friend, brother, son, mentor, and coach by many.”
Follis became a training partner for Randy Couture in 1997, eventually joining forces to become co-owner and head trainer at Team Quest in Gresham, Oregon, leading up a historic MMA competition team that at its height, featured two-division Ultimate Fighting Championship champ Randy Couture, former UFC middleweight champ Evan Tanner, two-division Pride Fighting Championship titlist Dan Henderson and Olympic silver medalist Matt Lindland.
Follis spent the last four years as head trainer at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, where he led Miesha Tate to the UFC women’s bantamweight title, as well as played an instrumental role in the recent success of UFC interim lightweight title contender Kevin Lee. Follis announced he was leaving Xtreme Couture last month.
