If you were to think of all the amazing MMA gyms in Canada, with the biggest names to train with, one of the first gyms to pop into your mind would likely be Tristar gym in Montreal, QC. It is not uncommon for fans and fighters to associate champion-like training, with this popular MMA gym. In fact, many of MMAs hottest stars frequently visit the beautiful city of Montreal in order to train along side Canada’s finest talent… Kenny Florian, Miguel Torres, Rashad Evans and Nate Marquardt are a few examples.

Given the chance to travel across the country, situate yourself in Montreal to train at Tristar and be surrounded by such mad skills, you would likely do it in a heartbeat. I know I would.

This is exactly what five of Vancouver’s fastest rising MMA stars have recently done. For the next two weeks, Tristar Gym will be home for Sabah Fadai, Kajan Johnson, Gary Mangat, Ryan Chiappe and Daniel Swain.

With big fights on the horizon – Fadai, Chiappe and Johnson are all preparing for October fights for MFC 31  - the trip east seemed like a no-brainer. Even the average fan can understand the desire to head to Montreal for training. Fadai talked with me about why it was important for him and for his teammates.

“The trip to Montreal to train at Tristar was something we all wanted, because there is different training and more sparring partners. Cross training with different styles makes a real good fighter.”

The organizing for the trip began first by Mangat, followed by their management, Darcy McBride from Echlon Fighter Management, stepping up and taking over. Now these young stars find themselves living the dream amongst the big stars, all the way from Vancouver to beautiful Montreal.

“On my very first day of training, I was along side with some amazing fighters. Right now, Kenny Florian is (here) training for a fight against Jose Aldo… I've learnt a few tricks here and there from Firas (Zahabi), Rory (MacDonald), David (Loiseau) and a guy named James (Polodna) who is a sick Muay Thai fighter, and is by far the funniest and most straight forward person I have ever met. When him and Loiseau are around, it's like an ab workout of the century from laughing so much. It makes it such an amazing atmosphere to train under.”

No doubt these boys will continue to learn quite a few tricks while being surrounded by such talent. Improvement to their individual game is inevitable. They have only been there a few days now, but Fadai can see that by overcoming the challenges they are facing at Tristar, it will continue to help them grow as fighters.

“The biggest challenge so far is the weather condition, which is real humid… it's on a second floor of a building. This place is hot making it hard to breath, so we are gassed pretty fast; we aren't use to it just yet. That's why all these guys like GSP, Rory, and Loiseau have such amazing cardio.”

Fadai, who hasn’t fought in a year and two months, is prepping for his debut for MFC 31. He acknowledges that ring rust could be a factor going into the fight, but shares that he feels confident not only with his skills, but especially after the mental high of being around such an amazing talent. 

“…Now that I am here and have all these amazing fighters as sparring partners, it already feels like I'm in a fight everyday."

For the next two weeks, these five Vancouver fighters will be pushed passed their limits, drilled into the ground, and coached by some of the most recognizable names in the business. There will be tough days ahead, but just ask them if they would have it any other way… I guarantee they love what they have gotten themselves into.

As the saying goes, train hard; fight easy.

“One thing I've learnt, which makes me train hard and motivates me a lot, is what David Loiseau said: "You are one fight away from being the shit or a piece of shit, so train hard and win."

Check back next week to hear more from the boys on how their training has progressed, including chats with Johnson, Chiappe, Mangat and Swain.

Fadai would like to thank:

“My management crew Echelon Fighter Management, Elite Organic Nutrition, Robbie and Greg from TriStar gym. Also, thanks to Sharks and Hammers in gas town who hooked up some gear for the trip. I'd like to also thank my coach Kultar 'Black Mamba' Gill from MambaMMA for preparing me for this trip, also my team in the Philippines DEFTAC Cebu with head coach Norman Go for my ground skills and also being a part of my MMA career, and my teammates Gary 'saint lion' Mangat and Ragin Kajan Johnson for being a part of this experience with me! These guys motivate me to achieve the highest level.”

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Follow the fabulous five on Twitter:

Sabah Fadai: @Sabahfadai

Gary Mangat: @saintlion

Daniel Swain @swain145

Kajan Johnson @IamRagin

Ryan Chiappe @Ryan_ruthless

* * * Find more articles by Erin McDougall on www.mmanewscanada.com