MEET THE COACHES
AND SOME INFORMATION ABOUT US
OUR TEAM OF COACHES HAVE A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE IN THEIR CHOSEN FIELDS AND INCLUDE -
BJJ BLACK BELTS, EX-PROFESSIONAL MMA FIGHTERS, MULITIPLE TOURNAMENT GOLD MEDALLISTS, EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS AND PARALYMPIC CANDIDATES
ALL OF WHOM HAVE A REAL PASSION FOR COMBAT SPORTS AND SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCE.
Adam Gunning (Gunner)
Founder / Head Coach
BJJ Black Belt
Mad Hatters / Gorilla Grapplers
Multiple Tournament Gold Medallist in Gi and NoGi
Co-Founder of Collision Invitational
Father to 2 x Daughters
MMA Enthusiast
Loves a Burger
Brett O’Brien (Bob)
Assistant Coach/MMA
BJJ Brown Belt
Mad Hatters / Gorilla Grapplers
Multiple Tournament Gold Medallist in Gi
Ex Professional MMA Fighter
Father to 1 x Son and 1 x Daughter (who competes in Cheer)
Thomas Shelby impersonator
Jamie Irish
Assistant Coach / Kids BJJ Coach
BJJ Purple Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Kimura Trap Fan
Dislikes Gi Grips
Father to 2 x Daughters
Local Heart Throb
Dan Quartermaine (Q)
Assistant Coach
BJJ Brown Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Multiple Tournament Gold Medallist in Gi and NoGi
Multiple Wins Across Grappling Invitationals
“Mr Guillotine”
Sadistic Strength & Conditioning Circuit Builder
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
Mok Rahman
Assistant Coach
BJJ Purple Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Ex Professional MMA Fighter
First Bengali MMA Fighter
Father to 1 x Son and 1 x Daughter
Local Celebrity
Fleur Gardner
Assistant Coach/Yoga Instructor
BJJ Blue Belt
Mad Hatters / Gorilla Grapplers
Fully Qualified Yoga Instructor
Recently completed 300hrs at Rishikesh Yogkulam in India
Jimmy Alderson
Assistant Coach/Judo Coach
Judo Black Belt / BJJ Purple Belt
Gorilla Grapplers/Priory Judo
Fluent In Japanese
Plays Piano (Beautifully)
GB Paralympic Judo Candidate currently targeting LA 2028
Martin Whiteley
Assistant Coach
BJJ Purple Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Veteran Royal Marine Commando
Father to 2 x Daughters
Identifies as 6ft 2
Brad Maplestone
Assistant Coach/Boxing Coach
BJJ Blue Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Boxing 30+ Years
Father to 2 x Daughters
Illegitimate Offspring of Andre The Giant
Alfie Cunningham
Assistant Coach/Striking
BJJ Blue Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Karate Black Belt
Multiple European Champion in Karate
Trained Muay Thai in Thailand with Team Powerhouse
Aspirations in MMA
Jack Magee (The Mad Hatter)
Head Honcho / Boss / Overseer / Don
BJJ Black Belt
Gordo Jiu Jitsu / Mad Hatters Founder
Owner of the Mad Hatters Asylum in Chichester
Ex Professional MMA Fighter
Previously #1 Ranked UK BJJ Competitor
Father to 1 x Daughter and 2 x Sons
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.