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 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 BJJ Coach
BJJ Black Belt - 1st Degree
Mad Hatters / Gorilla Grapplers
Has had success competing in Submission Grappling, Kickboxing & MMA
Favours Grappling and is a Multiple Tournament Gold Medallist in both Gi and NoGi
Sponsored By Scramble
Also Founder of Collision Invitational & Gorilla Athletic Systems
Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach
Father to 2 x Daughters
Legendary Underbite
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 Kickboxing, MMA & BJJ
Multiple Tournament Gold Medallist in Gi
Father to 2 x Sons and 1 x Daughter (who competes in Cheer)
Head of the Gorillas Short Kings Society
Thomas Shelby impersonator
Jamie Irish
Head Kids BJJ 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
Matt Hooton
Head Striking Coach
15+ years experience in Muay Thai, K1 and Traditional Kickboxing.
Real fight experience and a healthy respect for anyone prepared to throw down
By day, a FE Lecturer with a BSc in Sports & Exercise Science. Course leader for Personal Training & Sports Massage Therapy.
Proud Nostalgic enthusiast for the 90’s/ 00’s.
Father of 2 x Furry children
Frequently quotes LOTR references without being asked
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
Gold Standard Porsche Technician
Founder & Owner of Daytona Performance
Carl Scarratt (Scaz)
Assistant Coach
BJJ Brown Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Multiple Tournament Gold Medallist in NoGi
Multiple Wins Across Grappling Invitationals
Sponsored by Scramble
Also Teaches Grappling to the Royal Navy Team @ HMS Sultan
Father to 3 x Daughters
Favourite Technique - Oil Check
Dan Saunders
Assistant Coach
BJJ Brown Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Full Time Personal Trainer
Proudly Rocked the Mullet and Moustache Before it was Cool
Everybody's Favourite High Calorie Grappler
Favourite Technique - Paper Cutter Choke
Will Sing Disney Songs Whilst Training
Strongest Grappler in 90% of Rooms
Diogo Pina
Assistant Coach
BJJ Brown Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Vastly Prefers Gi
Currently Ranked 13th in the IBJJF World Rankings
Guard Puller - Guard Player
Sponsored by Fortitude
Part of Emergency and Response team at Portsmouth Naval Base
Pretends to be Portuguese as thinks it makes him seem “Authentic” to the BJJ Community - Is Actually from Sheffield
Ben Wason
Junior Combat Coach
BJJ Blue Belt
Decades of Experience Striking - Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA
Has had success competing in Kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA and BJJ
Also Enjoys Weight Lifting, Jiu Jitsu, Generally Staying Fit
Runs His Own Plumbing & Heating Firm - BW Plumbing & Heating
Proud Father of 3
Favourite Technique - Head and Arm Choke or D’arce
Loses his eye brows when the sun touches his skin
Martin Whiteley
Assistant Coach
BJJ Purple Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Veteran Royal Marine Commando
Father to 3 x Daughters
Managing Director at a Recruitment Consultancy
Inhales Biscuits like a Sport
Identifies as 6ft 2
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
Charlie Trott
Assistant Coach / Striking
BJJ Purple Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
Accomplished Kickboxer
Renowned Matt Enforcer
Favourite Technique - Whatever Hurts the Most
Owns his own Roofing Company - Charles Trott Roofing Ltd
Nathan Harris
Junior Striking Coach
Black Belt Kickboxing - Trained under the Legendary Omar Elkilany
BJJ Blue Belt
Has Trained Multiple Styles Over the years including Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Boxing, and several styles of Kickboxing
Mum was a Third Degree Black Belt
Proud Dad of Three
Has his own Groundworks and Maintenance Company - Scope Innovations
Loves Thai Food
Josh Clark
Assistant Coach
BJJ Brown Belt
Gorilla Grapplers / NGMA
Almost a decade of grappling specialising in guard play and leg locks
Level 3 Qualified PT
Also Qualified Assistant Boxing Coach
Father of 4
Classes himself as “Semi Homeless”
Usually found overthinking life’s big questions or trying to casually break someone’s legs, occasionally simultaneously
Alex Sorisi
Assistant Coach
BJJ Purple Belt
Gorilla Grapplers
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
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
Shamelessly Wears Spats without Shorts
Fleur Gardner
Yoga Instructor / Massage Therapist
Fully Qualified Yoga Instructor
Completed 300hrs at Rishikesh Yogkulam in India
200hr Hatha Vinyasa
Full Time Yogi @ Lano Yoga
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