World-renowned combat sports trainer Dewey Cooper has joined RYC Wellness in Nuvali, Philippines as co-founder, bringing decades of championship experience to the health and fitness space. Known for coaching elite fighters such as Francis Ngannou and working with boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, Cooper now applies his high-performance training philosophy to everyday wellness. Through RYC’s “Build Your Own Body” approach, he aims to help individuals achieve personal transformation using the same discipline and mindset that create world champions.
NUVALI PHILIPPINES – When champions step into the ring or cage, one voice often rises above the rest- the voice of their cornerman. For some of the biggest names in combat sports in history, that voice belongs to Dewey Cooper- now co-founder of RYC Wellness and President of Team Combat League, the league that recently signed boxing icon Manny Pacquiao for their 5th season.
Cooper’s presence in the corner has been a defining factor behind multiple world championship victories across boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts. Today, he brings that same championship mindset and commitment to excellence to the wellness community at RYC.
A Hall of Fame Trainer
inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2008, Cooper has earned a global reputation as one of the most versatile and respected striking coaches in combat sports. His rare ability to develop champions across multiple disciplines sets him apart in the industry.
In the Corner When It Mattered Most
Francis Ngannou-UFC Heavyweight Champion
Cooper served as longtime boxing and striking coach for Ngannou, helping transform him from raw talent into one of the most feared knockout artists in MMA history. He was in Ngannou’s corner when he captured the Ultimate Fighting Championship Heavyweight Championship and played a key role in preparing him for his high-profile 2023 crossover bout against Tyson Fury. His influence has been widely credited in Ngannou’s evolution as a complete fighter.
Beibut Shumenov- WBA & IBA Light Heavyweight Champion
on July 2, 2012, Cooper guided Shumenov to a dominant victory over Enrique Ornelas at the Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casini in Las Vegas. That night, Shumenov successfully defended his WBA and IBA titles, with Cooper’s corner work proving instrumental.
Jessica Rakoczy-Multiple- Time World Champion
Earlier in his career, Cooper established himself as the longtime trainer for Rakoczy. His work with her demonstrates his ability to build championship-level athletes and laid the foundation for his reputation as an elite cornerman.
A Legacy of Champions
Cooper’s roster includes a wide range of elite fighters across combat sports:
– Jessie Vargas – Former WBO Welterweight Champion
– Kevin Lee – UFC title challenger
– Cody Garbrandt – Former UFC Champion
– Marvin Vettori – UFC contender
– Amir Albazi – UFC fighter
– Farid Basharat – Undefeated UFC fighter
– Javid Basharat – UFC fighter
– Roy Nelson – UFC heavyweight veteran
– John Alessio – UFC & PRIDE FC veteran
– Makhmud Muradov – UFC middleweight contender
Additional champions include:
-Carlos Takam-WBO heavyweight World Champion
– Jamie Mitchell – WBA Bantamweight World Champion
– Christian Ferea – BKFC Champion
From Championship Corners to Wellness Leadership
As President of team Combat League, Cooper recently made headlines by signing boxing icon Manny Pacquiao for the league’s upcoming season. His connection to Pacquiao dates back to 2016, when he trained Jessie Vargas ahead of their title bout.
Now, as co-founder of RYC Wellness, Cooper brings that same discipline and elite mindset into a new arena-helping members transform their bodies through the BYOB (Build Your Own Body) philosophy.
“In the corner of championship fight, every second counts. Every instruction matters. That same focus and commitment to excellence is what we’re bringing to RYC Wellness, ” said Cooper. “Whatever you’re training to win a world title or simply to feel stronger in your daily life, the principles remain the same: show up, do the work, and trust the process.”
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES
