Head coach Nick Forrer is a former MMA competitor and BJJ Black belt under Ricardo Vieria with over 20 years of training in various disciplines including Muay Thai, Boxing, BJJ, Wrestling, MMA, Judo and more.

He has trained with many notable coaches in the UK but he considers Steve Morris to be his primary coach and mentor.

He has also travelled abroad to train in Thailand at Yodyut Camp in Koh Samui and New York at the Renzo Gracie Academy under John Danaher.

Nick has coached athletes to compete in Muay Thai, MMA, submission grappling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Assistant instructor Patryk Sipowicz is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt under Lucio Sergio Dos Santos, awarded in 2021.

An active competitor with roots in Judo since 2012, Patryk later transitioned to BJJ, where he has since competed in nearly a hundred events across Judo, Gi, No-Gi, and submission-only formats.

His competitive record includes a bronze medal at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in 2017, double silver at the UAEJJF British Nationals in 2018, and gold medal wins at Grappling Industries Paris (2022) and the UKBJJA English Open (2025).

Patryk takes an active and attentive approach to coaching. He emphasises understanding the “why” behind techniques and reinforces this through positional sparring. By closely observing his students’ performance, he tailors future classes to address specific challenges and support continued progress.

Assistant instructor Rhys is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with over a decade of experience on the mats. He started his journey in nogi and continued training throughout his time at university, eventually transitioning to gi when he began training under his current instructor, Nick Forrer.

Rhys has been learning from Nick for the past eight years, and Nick’s guidance has been a huge part of his development.

Over the years, Rhys has competed in both regional and national tournaments, always looking to test himself and grow. He is passionate about teaching Jiu-Jitsu and loves digging into the details that can improve performance both for himself and for those he coaches. He has a particular interest in armbar variations, especially juji gatame and te gatame, and enjoys exploring the subtle mechanics that make them work so effectively.

Sharing Jiu-Jitsu with others is one of the most rewarding parts of Rhys’s journey, and he is always excited to help others progress and enjoy the art as much as he does.

Assistant coach Platon Zerde is a dedicated martial artist, a Muay Thai fighter, and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt under Nick Forrer.

As an active competitor with over 50 matches and competitions, Platon maintains a high degree of professionalism, with the intention of entering the MMA scene.

Platon also boasts more than five years of experience and is committed to a lifelong journey of learning, travelling, and refining his skills. He brings the same dedication to his coaching, aiming not only to improve himself but also to help those around him grow and reach their potential as well.

Assistant instructor James Powell is a Muay Thai fighter and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue belt who has trained under Nick Forrer for eight years. 

He has fought on some of the largest Muay Thai stages in the UK, including the Roar Fighting Championship and the Muay Thai British Championship. He has also competed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, earning several medals along the way. 

As one of Nick’s longest-serving students, James demonstrates a deep fundamental understanding of the mechanics of Muay Thai and how to apply them effectively, as he has shown time and time again. A passionate individual, James seeks to share this knowledge with everyone he coaches.

Assistant instructor Louis Konadu is a purple belt under Nick Forrer with over 5 years of experience in both Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

He began training at 19, at the academy and has been here ever since. Under the watchful eye of Nick Forrer, he quickly climbed the ranks, earning a handful of notable achievements both in competition and at the academy.

Louis has an incredible thirst for knowledge and an eye for detail, evident in his approach to training and coaching. He is particularly fond of transitions, finding his way to the rear mount from various positions and finishing from there.