World-renowned mixed martial arts trainer Shawn Tompkins has coached some of the biggest names in the sport to victory including Sam Stout, Chris Horodecki, Mark Hominick, Goran Reljic, Vitor Belfort, and Wanderlei Silva. In 2007, Tompkins assumed the role of head coach of the Los Angeles Anacondas for the now-defunct International Fight League, also becoming a trainer at the famed Xtreme Couture gym in Las Vegas. Two years later, Tompkins resigned from Xtreme Couture and went on to join the Tapout Research and Development Training Center - an 18,000 square foot training center in the heart of Las Vegas. Recently, we had a chance to speak with Tompkins on a number of topics:

Cage Religion: First and foremost, we would just like to thank you for taking the time out of your demanding schedule to speak with us. Tell us what you've been up to lately, Shawn, what's been new?

Shawn Tompkins: Hey guys, I've been super busy lately. Living the dream! Most recently though was my move to the Tapout Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, which was probably the best business decision I have ever made. It is so great to have my own team and make my own decisions.

CR: Your resume as a trainer and success with your stable of fighters speaks for itself. What are some of the attributing factors to your success as a trainer? Some distinctive things that separate you from other coaches.

ST: I think one of the biggest things that separates me from other coaches in this business is my commitment to each of my fighters. This has been a great part of my success. It is also a very tough part of my life when things don't work out in the most successful ways. The tough part of this sport are the extreme emotions involved.

CR: It would make sense that upon returning from his shoulder injury, Vitor Belfort would be in line for a shot at Anderson Silva's UFC middleweight title. Can you talk a little about with the game plan would be, given the opportunity to face Anderson?

ST: As for Vitor's return and future fight with Anderson Silva, without giving away any game plan, I think a very positive thing happened for me this year while attending UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi and seeing first hand Silva's fight with Demian Maia. I was able to see many holes in his game and especially realize what most were forgetting - that he is very human!

CR: Ultimately, what style of fighter do you think it will take to eventually beat Anderson Silva? A strong wrestler, a striker, a submission artist, etc?

ST: I believe that Anderson is a confident fighter, but when you put him in bad positions or in harm's way, he cracks. He definitely does not like to get hit and there is one thing I will promise you - Vitor will hit him like he's never been hit before!

CR: What is your take on the whole situation at UFC 112 against Demian Maia, where Anderson took major heat for mocking Maia and clowning around for most of the fight? How can something like this be avoided in the future?

ST: I think a lot of his clowning around had to do with his ego. Apparently, Demian Maia said some things that got into his head and that he took personally. Not very professional, but I think the situation will solve itself. Just too bad it happened at such an important UFC.

CR: After cornering Randy Couture for two years while at Xtreme Couture, you went on to train his opponent, Mark Coleman, for their bout at UFC 109. What were some of the things that you felt went wrong for Mark Coleman in his match with Randy Couture at UFC 109? 

ST: I think what went wrong with Coleman's fight had to do with where he is in his career now. I have had the honor of training both Randy and Mark and I can say, Coleman does not have the intensity at this point that Randy does in his training. At this level, training is everything. What I can say is that a fight involving two UFC hall-of-famers that have achieved what these two have, was a must for me.

CR: With the current state of the UFC heavyweight division being so stacked, who of "the big four", so to speak [Lesnar, Carwin, Dos Santos, and Velasquez] do you see at the top of the mountain a year or two from now?

ST: The heavyweight division in the UFC is a beautiful thing. I think that it is something we should truly enjoy because we have all seen it the opposite way in the past. As for who will be on top in a year, I have a lot of faith in Dos Santos, who I believe is going to continue to improve and is a devastating enough puncher to put Carwin and Lesnar in serious trouble.

CR: With Gina Carano taking time off to film a movie, do you personally see her eventually making a return to MMA or do you feel that she will take to movies and pursue that route?

ST: I personally don't see Gina making a return to the sport of MMA. I had the opportunity to be part of the gym she called home and never really felt like I saw the desire that a lot of fighters have to be an MMA fighter, let alone a champion. I think the sport was good for her and she was good for the sport, but her time has passed.

CR: Do you see the influx of movie producers casting MMA stars as something that will eventually hurt the sport, as in the case of the long layoff with Quinton Jackson?

ST: I think that it's great that the people involved in our sport are getting the opportunities we are seeing offered. As long as the fighter is smart and continues to train, there shouldn't be any problems.

CR: We hear that you're featured in the upcoming "UFC Undisputed 2010" game, due out this week. How does it feel to be immortalized, so to speak, in a video game?

ST: Being a part of a video game, especially one focusing on the sport of MMA and of course, the UFC, is huge for me! To know that I will have something to show my family and future family is a great feeling. It is a part of my legacy and I am very proud. THQ, the company that made this game, has also been very great to work with.

CR: Before we get going, Shawn, is there anything you would like to say to your fans around the world?

ST: I would like to say thanks to all of my fighters for believing in me, thanks to the Tapout Training Center, TCB Fightwear, Active Body Chiropractic, and to you for the interview!