Fans often only think about fighters inside the cage, but most of the blood, sweat and tears happens in the gym. One of the most famous gyms around is Montreal’s Tristar.

Coach Firas Zahabi has mentored the likes of former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre, as well as current welterweight contender Rory MacDonald.

Firas Zahabi promotes Nordine Taleb, Francis Carmont and Desmond Green

Inside the confines of the Montreal gym, two of his up and coming prospects, as well as a veteran were promoted to new belts on Monday morning. According to a Facebook post on Desmond Green’s official page he was promoted to purple belt and Nordine Taleb and Francis Carmont both were promoted to brown belt.

Green (14-4) recently made the trek down to Las Vegas to audition for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter. The once Titan FC champion lost his belt in his last outing at Titan FC 33 in a split decision against Kurt Holobaugh.

Carmont (23-10) made his Bellator debut in March, where he took home a one-sided unanimous decision victory against Guilherme Viana. Of Carmont’s 23 victories, 10 of them have come via submission.

Taleb (11-2) was a cast member on TUF Nations and has since gone 3-0 inside the Octagon. Taleb has zero submission victories on his record — all three of his UFC victories have come via decision.