Sunday, October 19, 2025-The combat sports community is in mourning after the death of Duke Roufus, the renowned coach, former world champion kickboxer, and founder of the acclaimed Roufusport gym in Milwaukee.
Roufus, 55, was a pioneer in American kickboxing and a mentor to dozens of elite fighters, including UFC stars Anthony Pettis and Tyron Woodley. His sudden passing marks the end of an era for one of the sport’s most respected and influential figures, whose blend of discipline and innovation helped shape modern mixed martial arts.
Tributes poured in from fighters, fans, and fellow coaches across the world. Pettis posted an emotional message calling Roufus his “second father,” while UFC President Dana White described him as “a giant in the fight game, tough, brilliant, and full of heart.”
Gyms held moments of silence in his honor, and social media feeds flooded with memories of his mentorship and fierce loyalty to his students. For many, Roufus represented not just fighting excellence, but the spirit of perseverance that defines martial arts itself.
Roufus’s legacy will continue through the fighters he trained and the philosophy he instilled that mastery comes from humility, hard work, and respect. His passing leaves a void in the global fight community, but his influence will live on in every athlete who carries his lessons into the ring.
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