MEET THE COACHES
AND SOME INFORMATION ABOUT US
OUR COACHING TEAM BRINGS WITH THEM A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF COMBAT SPORTS
We're proud to have BJJ black belts, former and current professional MMA fighters, multiple tournament gold medallists, European champions, and Paralympic candidates among our ranks.
Each coach shares a deep passion for martial arts and a genuine commitment to passing on their knowledge and experience.
Adam Gunning (Gunner)
Founder / Head Coach
BJJ Black Belt - 1st Degree
Mad Hatters / Gorilla Grapplers
Founder of Collision Invitational
Has had success competing in Submission Grappling, Kick Boxing & MMA
Favours Grappling and is a Multiple Tournament Gold Medallist in both Gi and NoGi
Father to 2 x Daughters
MMA Enthusiast with previous experience providing MMA commentary
Loves a Burger
Brett O’Brien (Bob)
Assistant Coach/MMA
BJJ Black Belt
Mad Hatters / Gorilla Grapplers
Ex Professional MMA Fighter With an Official Record of 3-1-0
Life Long Martial Artist with Experience in Muay Thai, Submission Wrestling, K1 Kick Boxing & MMA
Multiple Tournament Gold Medallist in Gi
Father to 1 x Son and 1 x Daughter (who competes in Cheer)
Thomas Shelby impersonator
Jamie Irish
Head Kids BJJ Coach/Assistant Coach
BJJ Purple Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Dedicated Kids BJJ coach who is Committed to the Development Of our Young Warriors
Kimura Trap Fan
Dislikes Gi Grips
Father to 2 x Daughters of whom both Train and Compete Regularly
Will BBQ Rain or Shine
Local Heart Throb
Dan Quartermaine (Q)
Assistant Coach/MMA
BJJ Brown Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Multiple Tournament Gold Medallist in Gi and NoGi
Multiple Wins Across Grappling Invitationals
“Mr Guillotine”
Ex Amateur MMA Fighter with an Official record of 3-1-0
Sadistic Strength & Conditioning Circuit Builder
Is a Porsche Technician
Owns a British Bulldog name Pablo
Greg Allison
Head Striking Coach
Black Belt Kickboxing
Founder / Head Coach at Mission Fitness & Martial Arts
Veteran Royal Marine Commando
Former Metropolitan Police Officer
Fear of Ice Baths
Fleur Gardner
Assistant Coach/Yoga Instructor
Fully Qualified Yoga Instructor
Recently completed 300hrs at Rishikesh Yogkulam in India
200hr Hatha Vinyasa
BJJ Blue Belt
Mad Hatters / Gorilla Grapplers
A big fan of Music Ranging from Heavy Metal to Mantra
A Keen Wine and Cheese Enthusiast
Fully Qualified Motorcycle Mechanic
Jimmy Alderson
Assistant Coach/Judo Coach
Judo Black Belt / BJJ Purple Belt
Priory Judo/Gorilla Grapplers
British Parapotential Fighter
Experience Competing Internationally
Fluent In Japanese
Plays Piano (Beautifully) - Classically Trained
GB Paralympic Judo Candidate currently targeting LA 2028
Also interested in History, Maths, and Physics - Nerd
Martin Whiteley
Assistant Coach
BJJ Purple Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Veteran Royal Marine Commando
Father to 2 x Daughters
Managing Director at a Recruitment Consultancy
Favourite Technique - Gi Chokes (Any and All)
Identifies as 6ft 2
Brad Maplestone
Assistant Coach/Boxing Coach
Boxing 30+ Years
Coached Boxers to National Titles
BJJ Blue Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Father to 2 x Daughters
Illegitimate Offspring of Andre The Giant
Favourite Technique - D’Arce Choke
Alfie Cunningham
Assistant Coach/Striking
Karate Black Belt / BJJ Blue Belt
Cobra Kai/Gorilla Grapplers
Multiple Times European Champion in Karate
Trained Muay Thai in Thailand with Team Powerhouse
Aspirations in MMA
Name Drops himself at The Pelham Arms
If MMA doesnt work out will give Modelling a go
Took 7 Attempts to Pass his Driving Test
Jack Magee (The Mad Hatter)
Head Honcho / Boss / Overseer / Don
BJJ Black Belt - 3rd Degree
Mad Hatters Founder - Head of our Affiliation
Gordo Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
Owner of the Mad Hatters Asylum in Chichester
Ex Professional MMA Fighter with an Official Record of 7-5-0
Lived in Brazil from aged 18-25 actively training and competing
Previously #1 Ranked UK BJJ Competitor
Father to 1 x Daughter and 2 x Sons
Mok Rahman
Assistant Coach
BJJ Purple Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Ex Professional MMA Fighter With an Official Record of 9-4-0
First Bengali MMA Fighter
Aggressive Fighting Style - Nicest Guy out of the Cage
Proud Father to 1 x Son and 1 x Daughter
Local Celebrity
WHAT MAKES UP GORILLA GRAPPLERS?
MAD HATTERS ASYLUM
The club was founded by Jack “The MadHatter” Magee, a well respected Black Belt under Roberto “Gordo” Correa, a fierce Gi and NoGi competitor and ex-Pro MMA fighter. Jack has trained and competed across the globe and has a wealth of experience and knowledge which he now passes to his students in West Sussex.
Jack has a no nonsense approach to Martial Arts and teaches a submission focused style of grappling with the main objective always being to dominate and finish your opponent.
The Mad Hatters have established affiliates across the South including Gorilla Grapplers in Portsmouth, The Garden Club in Southampton, BJJ Exchange in Brighton and Southern Quarter in Salisbury.
Jack and Adam share a close friendship and continue to collaborate on training and projects. Students from Mad Hatters and Gorillas regularly train at one another’s academies making the most of the compimentary timetable and short travel time between gyms.
GORILLA GRAPPLERS
Created in 2021 by club founder Adam Gunning, Gorilla Grapplers has quickly established itself a solid team on the South Coast. Focusing on BJJ, NoGi Grappling, MMA, Striking and Yoga.
Adam or Gunning/Gunner as most people know him, is a BJJ Black Belt under Jack Magee, a multiple tournament gold medallist and a committed member of the Mad Hatters.
Adam has trained under Jack since 2014 and emulates his practical approach to combat sports. His dedication stems from a real passion for MMA and Combat Sports. Gunning is constantly looking to enhance his knowledge and boost his skill set, both as a combatant and a coach. Following Jacks example he aims to deliver the same high level of coaching he, himself continues to receive.
The Gorillas have grown considerably in both size and skill since the teams inception and have now moved to their own brand new academy in Waterlooville High Street. The evolution of the team means the club now offers more classes than ever before including BJJ, NoGi, Judo, Striking, MMA and Yoga with sessions available for both adults and juniors.