Mike Valle ’s work has been seen in premiere MMA for a long time. However, 2024 was the year when his coaching really stood out. The veteran trainer, who operates out of Chicago with VFS Academy, helped create two UFC champions this year and helped further the trajectories of other UFC and regional fighters. Valle’s most notable work came through Belal Muhammad , who captured the UFC welterweight title after one of the longest and toughest title campaigns in the promotion’s history.