Team Posse
Team Posse (팀파시) is one of South Korea’s pioneering mixed martial arts teams and has played an important role in the growth of Korean MMA since its founding in December 2007.
Established by former Korean Top Team athletes led by Seung Bae Wi, Team Posse quickly developed a reputation for producing technically complete fighters with strong wrestling, striking, and submission skills.
Although Team Posse never became the country’s largest gym, it earned recognition as one of Korea’s most respected competitive teams by consistently developing champions and title contenders across promotions such as ROAD FC, AFC, Gladiator, and various international organizations.
The gym has traditionally emphasized:
- Mixed martial arts competition
- Wrestling-based MMA
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Muay Thai and kickboxing
- Professional fighter development
- Amateur athlete development
Throughout its history, the gym has been known for producing disciplined, technically polished fighters rather than relying on a single fighting style.
Today, Coach Seung Bae Wi continues to operate the gym from Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Team Posse Gangbuk) after several expansions and relocations throughout the organization’s history. The gym remains active in developing amateur and professional competitors while collaborating with other respected Korean gyms through joint training sessions.
Coaching Staff
Seung Bae Wi (위승배) — Founder & Head Coach
Seung Bae Wi is the founder and longtime head coach of Team Posse. Before becoming one of Korea’s respected MMA coaches, Wi competed professionally himself, earning victories in Spirit MC and ROAD FC while building a reputation as a powerful heavyweight competitor.
Following disagreements between the coaching staff at Korean Top Team and Spirit MC, Wi and several teammates decided to establish their own gym. Using financial assistance from friends and contributions from fellow fighters, Team Posse officially opened in December 2007.
Under Wi’s leadership, Team Posse has developed multiple national champions and numerous professional fighters who later became coaches and gym owners themselves.
His coaching philosophy emphasizes:
- Strong MMA fundamentals
- Wrestling and cage control
- Practical striking
- Team culture
- Long-term athlete development
Many of Korea’s respected coaches today either trained under Wi directly or trace part of their coaching lineage back to Team Posse.
Team History
Founded During Korean MMA’s Early Growth
Team Posse was founded in December 2007 in Daerim-dong, Seoul, during one of the most important developmental periods in Korean mixed martial arts.
Several athletes—including Seung Bae Wi, Woo Sung Yoo, Jae Sun Lee, and Eun Soo Lee—had previously trained together at Korean Top Team. However, conflicts between Korean Top Team’s coaching staff and the Spirit MC promotion prevented several athletes from competing. Rather than wait for the situation to improve, Wi organized the creation of an entirely new team with financial assistance from friends and fellow fighters.
Rise During the ROAD FC Era
The launch of ROAD FC in 2010 provided the team with an opportunity to showcase its talent on one of Korea’s biggest MMA stages.
As Team Posse fighters found success, the gym gained national recognition. The emergence of Eui Chul Nam, who became a ROAD FC champion before later competing in the UFC, helped establish Team Posse as one of Korea’s premier MMA teams.
With growing success came expansion. Seeking improved training facilities and a stronger business model, Seung Bae Wi relocated the team to Gangnam, creating Team Posse Gangnam, which became the organization’s flagship gym.
Expansion Into Multiple Gyms
The success of the team inspired several senior members to establish their own academies while maintaining elements of the original team’s coaching philosophy.
Former team members eventually founded gyms including:
- Yoo Gym
- Ssabi MMA
- MOB Gym
- West Gym (later Ring MMA)
- Deep & High Sports
These gyms helped spread Team Posse’s influence throughout Seoul while continuing to produce professional fighters.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Development
For many years the team maintained a close working relationship with Chris Kim BJJ, helping strengthen its grappling program and producing well-rounded mixed martial artists.
That partnership concluded in early 2021 when Chris Kim BJJ became fully independent, though Team Posse has continued developing submission grappling through its own coaching system.
Continued Evolution
Today the team operates from Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, as Team Posse Gangbuk, while remaining active within Korea’s MMA community.
The gym regularly participates in joint training with the Macho Alliance, a collaborative network that includes:
- Itaewon MMA
- Team Macho Ansan
- Team Posse
This cooperative approach allows athletes to train with a wider variety of high-level partners while continuing Team Posse’s tradition of technical development and competitive success.
