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Jason Parillo
Jason Parillo
Jason Parillo
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Jason Parillo (born June 11, 1974, in New York) is an American Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) coach at the RVCA Training Centre and former professional boxer. He is best known for training multiple MMA world champions.

Key Information

Background

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Born in New York in 1974, Parillo was raised in Southern California but still returned to his birthplace each summer until he was 13. Parillo started boxing under Jesse Reid at the age of 16 and started training beginners at 18.[2] He was 24 when entering the professional ranks, following a brief stint as an amateur with a 21–6 record.[3] From 1998 to 2003 he was a professional boxer where he obtained an undefeated boxing Record of 8–0 with 6 knockouts. A detached retina brought an abrupt end to his boxing career. Parillo took a two-year break and began to train others full time. [3][2][4]

Pat Tenore, founder of RVCA, and friend of Parillo, was sponsoring MMA fighter, B.J. Penn. In 2007, Penn had a rematch against Jens Pulver, a fighter known for his strong boxing, and who used this skill to win their first fight. Tenore introduced the two and Parillo began coaching Penn on boxing. Penn won the rematch against Pulver. Since then Parillo has been training many fighters including former UFC champions, Michael Bisping, Cris Cyborg, Rafael Dos Anjos and Tito Ortiz.[3][2][4] Parillo is currently Head Coach[5] based at a BJJ/MMA gym known as The RVCA Sport Training Center. It was built by RVCA founder Pat Tenore (who holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu). The training facility was located in Costa Mesa, California.[6] The training center abruptly closed in September 2023.[7]

Personal life

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Parillo has twin daughters from a previous marriage.[2]

Notable students

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Mixed martial arts

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Professional boxing record

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8 fights 8 wins 0 losses
By knockout 6 0
By decision 2 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
8 Win 8–0 United States Reggie Strickland UD 6 March 13, 2003 United States The Columbia Club, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 United States Grant Messer KO 1 (6) February 22, 2003 United States Kruse World War II Museum, Auburn, Indiana, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Canada Ron Pasek KO 6 (6) September 13, 2002 United States Lucky Eagle Casino, Rochester, Washington, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 United States Miguel Angel Rivas KO 2 (4) July 20, 2000 United States Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 United States Russell Briggs TKO 4 (5) December 4, 1999 United States Lucky Eagle Casino, Rochester, Washington, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 United States Alfred Lorona TKO 1 (4) August 18, 1999 United States Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 United States Torrance Brown UD 4 November 12, 1998 United States Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 United States Chris Huntwork TKO 3 (4) August 6, 1998 United States Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jason Parillo

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jason Parillo (born June 11, 1974) is an American former professional boxer and prominent (MMA) coach, renowned for his expertise in striking and for guiding numerous UFC champions to victory. Born in New York and raised in , Parillo began at age 16 under Hall of Fame trainer Jesse Reid, who coached 23 world champions, and started assisting with training newcomers by 18. He turned professional in 1998 at super welterweight (154 pounds), compiling an undefeated 8-0 record with six knockouts before retiring in 2003 at age 30 following a detached injury sustained after a unanimous decision win over . His amateur record stood at 21-6, reflecting a 77% win rate across 27 bouts. After a two-year hiatus urged by family, Parillo transitioned to full-time coaching in 2004, initially offering private lessons and classes at the L.A. Boxing gym, before specializing in MMA striking. Since 2007, he has served as head coach at the Sport Training Center in , where he has trained a roster of elite fighters, including UFC champions (middleweight), (lightweight), (women's featherweight), and (lightweight). Other notable athletes under his guidance include , , , , and , contributing to his reputation as one of MMA's top striking coaches. Parillo has also developed instructional programs on fundamentals through platforms like Dynamic Striking, emphasizing stance, footwork, and punch technique.

Early Life

Upbringing

Jason Parillo was born on June 11, 1974, in New York, . Although born in the Northeast, he relocated to as a child, where he spent the majority of his formative years. Parillo maintained ties to his birthplace by returning to New York each summer until he was 13 years old. In , Parillo's childhood environment emphasized physical activities, shaped by a dynamic that fostered his early interest in athletic pursuits. He was the first in his family to engage in combat-related sports, drawing from personal challenges during his youth to channel energy into physical development. Parillo attended in , where he played football, building discipline and resilience through team sports. This period in his upbringing laid the groundwork for his later athletic endeavors, including a brief transition to training under coach Jesse Reid at age 16.

Introduction to Boxing

Jason Parillo, raised in , gained access to local boxing facilities that shaped his early athletic pursuits. At the age of 16, he began at the Westminster Boxing Club in , under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Jesse Reid. As a beginner, Parillo immersed himself in foundational techniques, focusing on technique, footwork, and defensive skills in Reid's structured environment. By age 18, after two years of dedicated practice, he started assisting in newcomers at the , demonstrating an early aptitude for the sport's nuances and . Under Reid's , Parillo engaged in his initial bouts, honing his abilities through competitive experiences that emphasized strategic punching and ring generalship. This period of development built a strong technical base, preparing him for the transition to several years later.

Boxing Career

Amateur Career

Jason Parillo began his amateur boxing career at the age of 16, training under Hall of Fame coach Jesse Reid at the Westminster Boxing Club in . Under Reid's mentorship, Parillo progressed rapidly, starting to assist in training newcomers by age 18 while honing his own skills through rigorous sessions focused on technique and conditioning. This early progression allowed him to compete in local and regional amateur events, building experience against varied opponents in the boxing scene. Competing primarily as a , Parillo compiled an overall record of 21 wins and 6 losses across 27 matches, demonstrating consistent performance and resilience in competitive bouts. These accomplishments under Reid's guidance solidified Parillo's reputation in amateur circles before he transitioned to professional ranks.

Professional Career

Jason Parillo turned professional in 1998 at age 24, competing as a super welterweight () after a successful amateur career that saw him compile 21 wins and 6 losses over 27 bouts, providing a strong foundation for his pro debut. Over the next five years, he maintained an undefeated record of 8-0, with 6 knockouts, demonstrating his power and precision in the ring. Parillo's professional bouts were spread across several venues , often against journeyman opponents with varying experience levels. His fights showcased a style emphasizing precise movements and strategic positioning, honed under Hall of Fame trainer Jesse Reid, which allowed him to control exchanges and deliver devastating finishes. This approach contributed to his high knockout rate, as he overwhelmed foes with accurate power punching rather than relying solely on volume. The following table summarizes his professional fight record chronologically:
DateOpponentResultLocation
August 6, 1998Chris HuntworkWinCoeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, ID
November 1998Torrance BrownWinCoeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, ID
August 1999Alfred LoronaWinCoeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, ID
December 1999Russell BriggsWinLucky Eagle Casino, Rochester, WA
July 2000Miguel Angel RivasWinMarriott Hotel, Irvine, CA
September 2002Ron PasekWinLucky Eagle Casino, Rochester, WA
February 2003Grant MesserWinKruse World War II Museum, Auburn, IN
March 2003Reggie StricklandWinColumbia Club, Indianapolis, IN
Key victories highlighted Parillo's ability to handle seasoned competition. In July 2000, he defeated Miguel Angel Rivas, a Mexican fighter with a 1-2 record at the time, in a scheduled four-round bout that underscored Parillo's early dominance. Later, in September 2002, Parillo overcame Ron Pasek, a Canadian veteran, in , adding to his knockout tally against durable opposition. His February 2003 win over Grant Messer, an undefeated debutant entering 0-0, further illustrated his superiority over untested prospects. The career-capping fight came in March 2003 against , a highly experienced with a career record of 66-276-18 across more than 360 bouts, whom Parillo beat by after eight rounds, proving his technical prowess against a battle-tested survivor.

Retirement

Jason Parillo retired from in 2003 at the age of 29 after sustaining a detached injury in his left eye during a session. The injury, which caused double vision and permanent nerve damage, occurred while he was actively competing as a super welterweight. Despite the impairment, Parillo fought and won his final two bouts before undergoing surgery, as continuing risked blindness. This abruptly halted his promising career just as he was gaining recognition in the sport. The detached severely compromised Parillo's vision, making it unsafe and impractical for him to continue fighting despite his undefeated professional record of 8-0, with six knockouts. Medical advice following the injury emphasized the risks of further damage, leading to his immediate decision to step away from the ring to protect his long-term health. At the time, Parillo was a father of two young children, which added layers of personal responsibility to his adjustment in the wake of retirement. He focused on family needs during this transitional period, navigating the shift from active competition to a more stable daily routine while recovering from the vision impairment.

Coaching Career

Transition to Coaching

Following his abrupt retirement from in 2004 due to a detached retina that caused permanent vision impairment in his left eye, Jason Parillo pivoted to full-time coaching as a natural extension of his combat sports passion. This transition was catalyzed by the injury, which ended his undefeated 8-0 professional record after he fought through double vision to secure two final victories. Building on his early experience assisting Hall of Fame trainer Jesse Reid at the Westminster Boxing Club—where Parillo began training newcomers as early as age 18—he committed to mentoring others in the gym environment. In the immediate years after retirement, roughly 2004 to 2007, Parillo concentrated on coaching beginners and local fighters in , primarily through private lessons and group sessions at L.A. Boxing, a franchise he co-established and helped expand. Based in areas like Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, he trained a mix of aspiring boxers and early MMA enthusiasts, drawing from his own technical foundation to emphasize practical skill-building for non-elite athletes. This period allowed him to refine his approach while supplementing his income, as he shifted from competitor to educator in the regional fight scene. By 2009, Parillo partnered with founder PM Tenore to establish the RVCA Training Center in , where he assumed the role of and began shaping a structured program for striking arts. The facility, which closed in September 2023, allowed him to further develop his coaching philosophy, which prioritizes mastery of striking fundamentals such as balanced stance, precise footwork, and efficient punch delivery to build adaptable fighters. This emphasis on core techniques, informed by his Reid mentorship and personal background, laid the groundwork for his later work with professional athletes.

MMA Coaching

Parillo began his MMA coaching career around 2007 at the Training Center in , where he specialized in integrating fundamentals to enhance the striking abilities of grapplers and MMA fighters transitioning from ground-based disciplines. His approach emphasized practical pad work and defensive maneuvers that mimicked live , allowing grapplers to develop timing and distance management without excessive wear on their bodies. More recently, as of 2025, he reunited with in January, contributing to her preparations for UFC 321. One of his key contributions came in preparing for in 2016, where Parillo's strategic focus on exploiting Luke Rockhold's vulnerabilities led to Bisping's stunning first-round via left hook to claim the UFC title. He also played a pivotal role in Cris Cyborg's camp for her UFC title defenses, including the 2017 bout against at , where his boxing expertise helped Cyborg maintain her dominance through superior striking volume and precision. Parillo's reputation as a premier striking coach in MMA stems from his work with multiple UFC champions and BJJ world champions, tailoring techniques like agile footwork for angle creation and counterpunching to counter threats in mixed-rules environments. His methods prioritize defensive slips and timely counters over power punching, enabling fighters to neutralize takedown attempts while setting up offensive opportunities.

Boxing Coaching

Following the abrupt end to his own professional boxing career in the early 2000s due to injury, Jason Parillo transitioned into coaching, drawing on his record of 21–6 and eight bouts—six by —to emphasize defensive techniques and power punching in his training methodology. His approach adapts lessons from his ring experience, focusing on precise footwork, head movement, and counterpunching to build fighters' confidence and tactical awareness under pressure. In the post-2010s era, Parillo established Parillo at the Training Center in , where he honed his reputation for preparing professional boxers through structured classes and individualized sessions that prioritize mental preparation alongside physical skills. A key example of his impact came in coaching Danny Perez, a previously winless professional, to a world title victory by instilling disciplined defensive strategies and explosive offensive output tailored to Perez's strengths. Parillo's corner work during Perez's highlighted his calm, directive style, providing real-time adjustments that contributed to the win. More recently, following the RVCA Training Center's closure in 2023, Parillo has expanded his role as head of the boxing division at Santo Performance Studio in , integrating his expertise into a multifaceted program that supports professional boxers with recovery-focused training and technique refinement. This shift underscores his evolution into a sought-after coach for elite-level preparations, blending old-school fundamentals with modern athletic conditioning to enhance fighters' durability and knockout potential.

Notable Students

MMA Students

Jason Parillo has coached numerous prominent MMA fighters at the Training Center, contributing to their striking development and overall success in the sport. Among his trainees, he has guided eight MMA world champions, including seven UFC champions. One of Parillo's most notable students is , the former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion, whom he trained during key periods of Penn's career starting in 2007, helping refine his stand-up game in a sport where was his primary strength. Michael Bisping, a UFC Champion under Parillo's guidance, achieved a stunning first-round knockout victory over at in 2016, capturing the title on short notice; Parillo had anticipated Rockhold's vulnerability to Bisping's left hook, a technique they emphasized in camp. , who holds multiple world titles across organizations including UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC, saw significant enhancements in her striking under Parillo, transitioning from a more stationary style to a fluid, bouncing footwork that bolstered her dominance in women's divisions. Rafael dos Anjos, the former UFC Lightweight Champion, began training with Parillo in 2016, crediting the coach for developing a more refined arsenal that complemented his base and sustained his competitiveness into his late 30s. Vitor Belfort, the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, trained with Parillo to enhance his striking during his later UFC career. Tito Ortiz, the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, worked with Parillo for multiple fights, including his successful return bouts in Bellator after leaving UFC. T.J. Dillashaw, the former UFC Bantamweight and Flyweight Champion, collaborated with Parillo on striking improvements, particularly during his title defenses and title challenge at flyweight. Other key MMA students include , a BJJ world champion who joined Parillo's camp to address her striking deficiencies as a UFC strawweight contender. , a former Strikeforce Champion, worked extensively with Parillo to sharpen his elite-level stand-up, even after their shared history with Bisping. , a rising UFC , has trained under Parillo for several years, benefiting from the coach's emphasis on precise combinations in high-stakes bouts.

Boxing Students

Jason Parillo has coached numerous professional boxers, drawing on his own undefeated record of 8-0 with 6 knockouts to emphasize technical precision and defensive head movement in his training regimens. Among his key students is Danny Perez, a fighter who entered Parillo's full-time program with no professional wins and limited support; under Parillo's guidance, Perez developed into a world champion, securing the North American Boxing Council (NABC) and International Boxing Council (IBC) titles in the super middleweight division. Parillo's work with Perez exemplifies his approach to transforming underdogs into titleholders through focused fundamentals, including stance, footwork, and punch combinations tailored for competitive longevity. This success marked Parillo's direct contribution to one world champion, alongside his broader impact on professionals across weight classes who have competed at high levels. His coaching has extended to other pros seeking to refine their striking, though his most prominent achievement remains Perez's run.

Personal Life

Family

Jason Parillo is the father of twin daughters from a previous ; the couple later divorced. The daughters were born in the early 2000s and were young children at the time of Parillo's 2003 retirement from . Parillo married Christine Spencer on September 28, 2025, in . His role as a family man significantly influenced his decision to retire from at age 30 in 2003, citing the need to provide stability for his twin daughters as a single-income following the end of his .

Residence and Later Years

Jason Parillo has maintained a long-term residence in , specifically in Orange County, where he has been based since his early coaching days. His professional life has been closely tied to key training facilities in the region, including the RVCA Sport Training Center in Costa Mesa, where he served as , and more recently, Santo Performance Studio in Newport Beach, which he joined to lead the program. Parillo remains actively involved in coaching as of 2025, continuing to work with elite fighters at events such as UFC 321 in October, where he served in the corner for Mackenzie Dern during her successful title bout. In interviews, Parillo has expressed a deep personal passion for the "punch" in boxing, describing it as the heart of his lifelong dedication to the sport since starting at age 17, alongside a profound commitment to mentoring fighters through mental and technical growth. This enthusiasm for coaching extends to his later years, where he emphasizes building fighters' confidence and respect for the craft as a form of osmosis in training. He has settled into family life in California, balancing his professional pursuits with personal stability in the region.

References

  1. https://bjjfanatics.com/blogs/fighters/jason-parillo
  2. https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/76044
  3. https://www.lowkickmma.com/jason-parillo/
  4. https://orangecoast.com/2020/this-costa-mesa-coach-has-worked-with-multiple-boxing-and-mma-champions/
  5. https://dynamicstriking.com/products/the-science-of-boxing-by-jason-parillo
  6. https://www.ocregister.com/2014/03/27/dunn-former-boxer-keeps-the-punches-coming-as-mma-coach/
  7. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2018/01/26/ufc-jason-parillo-boxing-career-mma-coach-cris-cyborg-michael-bisping-bj-penn/82244239007/
  8. https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/64648
  9. https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/175857
  10. https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/4741
  11. https://localemagazine.com/jason-parillo-talks-passion-for-the-punch-and-his-love-for-coaching/
  12. https://bjjfanatics.com/products/the-science-of-boxing-by-jason-parillo
  13. https://www.lowkickmma.com/i-solidified-my-name-in-the-sport-mackenzie-dern-becomes-first-woman-to-win-ibjjf-adcc-and-ufc-titles-its-history/
  14. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/ufc/how-michael-bispings-coach-jason-parillo-predicted-his-left-hook-win-at-ufc-199
  15. https://www.espn.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/23340/cyborgs-coach-i-hope-cris-draws-rousey-back
  16. https://www.thesportster.com/mark-henry-underrated-mma-coaches/
  17. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/24825988/scouting-report-mma-trainers-break-khabib-nurmagomedov-conor-mcgregor-ufc-229
  18. https://santostudio.com/blogs/blog/building-champions-with-purpose-with-santo-performance-studio
  19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F6iJyPKDWs
  20. https://nypost.com/2016/09/23/cyborgs-crushing-dominance-comes-with-ufc-dilemmas/
  21. https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-mma-news-where-does-rafael-dos-anjos-train-gym-coach-teammates-and-more-about-the-ex-ufc-champ/
  22. https://sports.yahoo.com/coach-jason-parillo-details-what-makes-rafael-dos-anjos-a-special-fighter-174456980.html
  23. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/756851-trainer-jason-parillo-on-the-punch-and-perspective-for-tito-ortiz-at-ufc-132
  24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ4xkjGn8M
  25. https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-luke-rockhold-explains-works-jason-parillo-despite-parillo-coaching-michael-bisping-past
  26. https://www.mmamania.com/2024/3/15/24101464/marlon-veras-coach-rejects-reality-sean-omalley-rivalry-chito-jail-murder-ufc-espn-mma
  27. https://sports.yahoo.com/marlon-vera-coach-reacts-ufc-180017257.html
  28. https://www.zola.com/wedding/christineandjason2025
  29. https://www.honeyfund.com/site/spencer-parillo-09-28-2025
  30. https://www.whitepages.com/name/Jason-Todd-Parillo/Costa-Mesa-CA/Po3j2aW6A37
  31. https://www.cbssports.com/ufc/news/ufc-321-results-highlights-mackenzie-dern-earns-womens-strawweight-title-in-win-over-virna-jandiroba/
  32. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQUr3GqCH_S/
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