Ex-ATT Coach Andre Benkei Plans to Build Heavyweight Powerhouse at New Camp

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A number of notable heavyweights will be calling Brazilian camp Libertas Esportes de Combate home in the coming months.

According to head coach Andre Benkei, heavyweights Amir Aliakbari, Tony Johnson Jr., Anderson "Braddock" Silva and Guto Inocente will all be training together under the same roof in Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the coming months. Benkei is a former coach at American Top Team.

“I’ve always dreamed to join a great team of fighters with the best team of coaches who can produce the best quality fighters to [send to] all MMA shows all over the world,” Benkei told Sherdog.com. “Thanks to the support of the mayor of Mariana and local companies like [Brazilian mining organization Samarco] I was able to make it happen.

Benkei plans on bringing a number of high-level coaches and trainers to sharpen the heavyweights’ skills.

“To take care of their wrestling, we will have [Iran national team member] Poya Baghbani; for boxing, [Cuban national team member] Lorenzo Aragon; Mauricio da Silva will be the striking coach and Leonardo Genuino will be the grappling coach,” said Benkei, who will oversee strength and conditioning along with serving as the head trainer.

Benkei said that trainers and fighters will begin to arrive at the camp by next week.

“We will have Guto, Amir, Braddock and Tony by [Jan. 18] here. Alexander Volkov will probably join the group later, too,” he said.

“One thing I can guarantee, I haven’t seen so many top heavyweights in the same camp since Antonio Silva prepared to face [Fedor Emelianenko in Strikeforce]. My personal goal is getting champions recognized in all the biggest shows in the world: One Championship, UFC, Bellator, PFL, KSW and Rizin.”