Thomas (photo via American Top Team)

By FCF Staff

After being part of American Top Team for nearly 20 years, Din Thomas has announced that he’s leaving the famed gym.

The 43-year-old Thomas first began training with ATT as one of the team’s fighters, before moving into a coaching role. Recently, however, the retired fighter confirmed to MMA Fighting that he’s leaving the team.

“I just feel like it’s time for me to move on,” Thomas said. “I was with them for 19 years. My justification is if Tom Brady can leave the Patriots after 20, I can leave ATT after 19. There’s a lot of fighters I want to work with, and I can’t get to them because of my affiliation. I want to be able to have more freedom to work with people and develop different people without having a structure behind me.”

“It was a tough decision for me, because I love ATT – it’s always been my family,” Thomas said. “It’s just I’m getting older and I don’t want to do it under that format any more. It’s not bad terms, I just want more freedom to do my own thing.”

Dan Lamber, who founded ATT, was also quoted saying in the story via a text.

“He was a great teammate and then a great coach,” Lambert said. “I’m sure he will be very successful regardless of the path he is choosing.”

Thomas, who works closely with former UFC welterweight champ, Tyron Woodley, retired from pro-fighting in 2013.