Firas Zahabi

About

Firas Zahabi is a renowned Canadian martial artist and coach, best known for his work as the founder and head coach of Tristar Gym in Montreal. Born on February 5, 1980, in Quebec, Canada, to Lebanese immigrant parents, Zahabi's interest in martial arts began after watching Royce Gracie's UFC victories. He started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai, eventually earning his black belt in BJJ under John Danaher in 2011. Zahabi's coaching career took off when he became the head coach at Tristar Gym, where he trained notable fighters like Georges St-Pierre and Rory MacDonald. Zahabi's approach to martial arts is highly cerebral, emphasizing technique over brute force. He studied philosophy at Concordia University, which influences his coaching style. His work with Georges St-Pierre was particularly successful, guiding him to numerous victories and championships. Zahabi is also known for his insights on the impact of performance-enhancing drugs on martial arts, advocating for a focus on technique and mastery. His contributions to the sport have made him one of the most respected figures in MMA coaching.