Coach Stephan de la Ray isn’t just a coach — he’s one of the most exciting rising talents in South African MMA, both inside the cage and in the coaching world.
A professional athlete competing in the EFC, Steph built his reputation through skill, grit, and calculated fight IQ. His professional record speaks for itself, but what truly sets him apart is his evolution in recent years: he has shifted from being solely focused on competition to shaping the next wave of MMA talent.
Today, Steph is one of CIT Performance Institute’s most committed amateur coaches. He works closely with up-and-coming fighters such as Oneal Thompson and Tyrone Lamprecht, guiding them toward competitive success with the same intensity and precision he brings to his own training. His athletes trust him because he has walked — and continues to walk — the path they’re on.
Beyond the gym, Steph has built a strong social media presence and developed a successful online coaching platform, enabling him to extend his influence beyond the walls of CIT. Through his content and digital coaching programme, he shares training methods, mindset shifts, and fight insights with a growing global audience.
Steph is a coach to watch.
His ability to combine real fight experience, modern coaching strategies, and genuine passion for athlete development makes him an irreplaceable part of the CIT coaching team.
Whether he’s cornering a fight, training amateurs, or dropping knowledge online, one thing is clear, steph de la Ray isn’t just part of the future of South African MMA — he’s helping build it.