With twenty-six professional fights and a highlight reel that keeps growing, Randy “Rudeboy” Brown has built his career on consistency and craft. The Jamaican-American welterweight, now 35, has quietly become one of the UFC’s most respected veterans. His most recent knockout win over Nicolas Dalby at UFC on ESPN 66 not only earned him his first Fight of the Night bonus but also reminded the division that he’s far from done climbing.

But fans often ask, where does ‘Rudeboy’ sharpen his tools? What kind of grind shapes the fighter who’s never missed weight or lost back-to-back fights? Let’s step inside Budokan Martial Arts Academy, the place Brown calls home, and meet the people who keep his engine running!

Budokan Martial Arts Academy and Training Facility

Every fighter needs a home base, a place that molds their instincts and keeps their rhythm alive. For Randy Brown, that place is the Budokan Martial Arts Academy, located at 650 Merrick Rd, Lynbrook, New York. 

So, how did he start training to become an iconic fighter inside the Octagon? ‘Rudeboy’ started training back in 2005 when he was a teenager, and he initially started with boxing until he turned 19. That is when he discovered MMA. He has always said that fighting is in his blood, and since he had a pretty rough childhood, his productive outlet was combat sports.

“It means so much. This is where I’ve wanted to compete ever since I started the sport. Being here means that I’m headed in the right direction on the road to greatness,” Brown once mentioned, as quoted by UFC’s official website. 

With his calm and cool demeanor combined with his work ethic, he is always at the top of the game! Now that we know where he trains, let’s meet the men who guide him through it all.

Head Coaches: Ralph Mitchell, Nardu Debrah, Kevin Smith

Brown still trains at Budokan Martial Arts Academy, and his coaches are Ralph Mitchell, Nardu Debrah, and Kevin Smith. Sifu Ralph Mitchell, the head instructor at Budokan, oversees Brown’s overall MMA progression.

Working closely alongside him is Sensei Nardu Debrah, co-owner and one of the most respected martial arts gyms in New York. A third-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Renzo Gracie, Debrah brings both mastery and experience to the mat. He’s a former Ring of Combat champion, a senior full instructor in Universal Defense System under Sifu Mitchell, and a living example of cross-disciplinary excellence.

His training resume reads like a map of the martial arts world, Muay Thai, Savate, Kali, Escrima, Judo, Tai Chi, and Jeet Kune Do, all fused into one teaching philosophy. Debrah has studied under legends such as Matt Serra, John Danaher, and Rodrigo Gracie, and even competed in the World Escrima Kali and Arnis Federation and U.S. Kuoshu Federation, collecting wins across diverse combat styles.

Completing the trio is coach Kevin Smith, and together they have helped Brown evolve from a lanky striker into one of the UFC’s most versatile welterweights. Their bond is built on trust and constant refinement, a perfect blend of old-school wisdom and new-age technique. Now that we know the minds behind ‘Rudeboy’s’ evolution, let’s see how that knowledge translates into his daily grind.

Training Methods and Daily Preparation

When he’s not inside the Octagon, Randy Brown is either drilling techniques at Budokan or studying fight footage from home. He even streams on YouTube and Twitch, breaking down MMA content for his followers. For him, training doesn’t end when the gloves come off.

Brown’s typical day reflects that hunger. Mornings are for stand-up striking, evenings for grappling, and rest days are rare.  Even when Dana White introduced new UFC gloves, Brown was among the first to test them in training, a small example of his commitment to evolving with the sport. 

He immerses himself all year into MMA and improves his skill set while also growing his following. For Rudeboy, MMA is not just his job, but a lifestyle. “I try not to put too much thought into the mental aspect of the game,” Brown told UFC.com. For him, the mental part was performance, skills, and being able to fight well. Now, as Brown prepares for his main event clash with Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Vegas 111, fans can expect the same disciplined fighter they’ve watched for years, calm, dangerous, and ready for war!