Legendary MMA Trainer André Benkei Joins Finney’s HIT Squad Coaching Staff
St. Louis, MO. – May 18, 2011 – Representatives from Finney’s HIT Squad announced today that world renowned mixed martial arts conditioning coach, André Vinicius Aurnheimer Ferreira, has officially joined Finney’s coaching staff. Ferreira, known throughout the world as ‘Benkei’, is considered to be one of the top trainers in the sport. He has already begun the process of relocating to St. Louis and will join Finney’s team effective immediately. Benkei has trained many of the industries elite and will work with professional and amateur fighters at Finney’s HIT Squad and Finney’s MMA.
Jesse Finney had this to say, “We are very excited to have Benkei as part of the team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program and knows how to put together a game plan better than anyone in the industry. He has what it takes to make our fight team one of the best, if not the best, fight team in the world.”
Andre Benkie, touted by Gong Magazine as “The Champions Maker”, was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and is the former strength & conditioning coach for American Top Team. He has coached some of the top mixed martial artists in the world including Thiago ‘Pitbull’ Alves, Denis Kang , Thiago Silva, Marcus Aurelio , Danillo ‘Indio’ Villefort , Hermes Franca, Mike Brown, Antonio ‘Pezao’ Silva, Jorge Santiago, Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal, Antonio ‘Big Foot’ Silva and many, many more. Benkei’s elite strength and conditioning programs are widely regarded in the U.S., Japan and throughout the world.
Andrei Benkei had this to say about joining the team, “I have received many invitations from fight teams across the country, yet so many of them don’t have the structure needed to ensure success. The fight program must have structure. Finney has the structure for the future of MMA. Everything a fighter needs is right there for them – a place to train, a place to live, the best instruction, management. Everything is taken care of. They can just focus on training.”
Benkei went on to say, “For my future I want to build a team full of energy that I love. The energy is what makes a team. I can do this at the HIT Squad and am happy to be here. It is a mix of different schools offering the best of everything to fighters. The heart of a wrestler, the speed of a striker, the technique of a submission specialist, all of this together makes a great team.”
Finney’s MMA and Finney’s HIT Squad collectively offer one of the most comprehensive, well-rounded, training programs in the industry. Both facilities offer on-site and off -site housing to members of the fight team, a highly sought after amenity that most MMA gyms do not offer. Fighters travel from as far as Ireland, England, and even Japan to participate in the program. On-campus housing is a mere 20 yards away from the gym. Pro fighters on the team pay as little as $199 per month to live on campus and train at the facilities (this includes utilities and internet access.)
Both professional and amateur athletes on Finney’s fight team have access to everything they need to advance their careers, from top-of-the-line equipment to unparalleled training and housing. Fighters associated with the gyms also receive top-level representation through Elite MMA Management. Finney is actively pursuing high level professional fighters right now. To find out more about the fighter program or to submit your fight resume for consideration, please email Jesse Finney directly at jesse@finneysmma.com.
