Adults
MMA Classes Northampton
Learn how striking, takedowns, clinch work, positional control and submissions connect inside one coherent MMA system.
Request a free MMA class →
ONYX COMBAT ACADEMY · NORTHAMPTON
MMA classes in Northampton.
Beginner-friendly MMA training built around striking, takedowns, positional control and steady progression — with professional MMA veteran Tom Mearns coaching the adult MMA pathway.
MMA session: Thursday 7:30–8:30 PM · beginners welcome · competition optional · Unit E-7, KG House, Northampton
10–9Professional MMA record
Cage Warriors + BellatorMajor professional promotions
Contenders Pro ChampionFeatherweight title
Taekwondo Black BeltStriking foundation
Mixed Martial Arts
Learn the complete MMA skill set.
Start from zero, return after time away, or sharpen an existing skill set. Adult MMA connects striking, clinch work, takedowns and ground skills without requiring you to compete.
Beginners
MMA for Beginners Northampton
Build stance, movement, striking, takedowns and positional skills progressively before intensity increases.
Read the beginner guide →Striking crossover
Build your MMA striking
Students who want additional striking practice can also explore the dedicated Onyx Kickboxing programme.
Explore Kickboxing →Built for the whole fight
Learn how the ranges connect.
MMA is not three separate sports placed next to each other. The important skill is moving safely and intelligently from one range to the next.
Sessions develop stance, distance, striking, clinch control, takedowns, top position, escapes and submissions in a way that makes sense as one system.
Practical coaching. High standards. Steady improvement.
- Striking combinations and defensive movement
- Range changes, clinch entries and cage awareness
- Wrestling, takedowns and takedown defence
- Top control, escapes and getting back to the feet
- Submission attacks and submission defence
- Controlled sparring and pressure-tested decision-making
Professional MMA Fighter & Coach
Tom Mearns
Real professional fight experience, translated into coaching that beginners and competitors can use.
Tom has competed professionally since 2015. Public fight records list a 10–9 professional MMA record with wins by TKO, submission and decision, alongside repeated Cage Warriors appearances and two Bellator bouts.
Tom’s published professional record documents Cage Warriors and Bellator appearances. His academy biography records a Taekwondo black belt. Explore Tom’s full coaching profile and competition background.
At Onyx Combat Academy, Tom brings that experience into practical MMA coaching: pressure, position, composure and the ability to connect phases rather than collect isolated techniques.
Tom’s next competition: OXO Brighton, 14 November →
Competition credentials are based on public fight records and academy-supplied biographical information.
Professional MMA10 wins · 9 losses
Major promotionsCage Warriors · Bellator
MMA titleContenders Pro Featherweight Champion
Winning methodsTKO · submission · decision
Striking baseTaekwondo black belt
GrapplingMultiple No-Gi titles and medals
Youth MMA enquiries
Find a suitable children’s class.
There is no standalone Youth MMA class on the current timetable. Ask a coach about future availability or choose from our scheduled Kids BJJ, wrestling, judo and kickboxing sessions.
Explore our children’s martial arts programme for current training options, coaching backgrounds and first-visit guidance.
Submission Grappling Northampton
Become difficult to control.
Tom’s grappling coaching focuses on practical No-Gi skills that work both as submission grappling and as part of MMA.
- Wrestling entries and takedown defence
- Clinch control and wall or cage-style grappling
- Escapes from bad positions
- Guard passing, pins and pressure
- Submissions and submission defence
- Live positional rounds and controlled sparring
Your first sessions
Progress before intensity.
Total beginners are welcome. You are not expected to arrive fit, know how to spar or understand MMA terminology before you start.
01 · Learn
Understand the position
Start with stance, movement, safety and a clear technical objective.
02 · Drill
Build the movement
Practise with a partner at a pace that lets you understand what is happening.
03 · Apply
Add resistance gradually
Use controlled positional work to make the technique usable under pressure.
04 · Progress
Earn more complexity
Intensity, sparring and competition only increase as your control and skill improve.
Simple membership
Try the first class free.
Kids membership is £47.50/month for unlimited suitable kids grappling and striking classes. Adult grappling is £55/month unlimited. Unlimited grappling and striking is £65/month. Family memberships are £70/month for two children or £95/month for three. Existing members keep their agreed prices and terms.
Adults
Unlimited Grappling + Striking
£65 / month
Includes suitable adult Onyx sessions, including the Thursday MMA session.
Request your free first classYoung athletes
Kids Onyx Membership
£47.50 / month
Access to suitable Onyx kids sessions. Youth MMA is enquiry-only; no standalone class is currently scheduled.
Ask about Youth MMAMMA Northampton FAQ
Questions before your first class.
Can I start MMA with no experience?
Yes. Complete beginners are welcome. The early focus is on stance, movement, basic striking, takedown positions, control and safe partner work before intensity increases.
Do I need to be fit before I start?
No. Training will improve your fitness. You should expect to work, but you do not need to reach a particular fitness level before attending your first session.
Do I have to fight or compete?
No. Competition is optional. You can train MMA and submission grappling for fitness, confidence, practical skill and technical development without entering a competition.
When is the MMA session?
The current published MMA session is Thursday from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM, after submission grappling at Unit E-7, KG House, Kingsfield Way, Northampton, NN5 7QS.
Is there a scheduled Youth MMA class?
There is no standalone Youth MMA class on the current timetable. MMA runs on Thursday after submission grappling; ask a coach to confirm age suitability before booking or travelling.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable sports clothing without zips or hard fittings. Bring water. If specialist gloves or protective equipment are needed for a particular session, the coach can advise you after your first visit.
MMA gym Northampton
Train in Northampton.
Onyx ZR Team is based at KG House in Northampton, with adult MMA, striking and grappling pathways under one roof.
For adult MMA or submission grappling, request a free first session and we will confirm a suitable class. For Youth MMA, send an availability enquiry before booking or travelling.
Onyx ZR Team Northampton
Unit E-7, KG HouseKingsfield Way
Northampton
NN5 7QS
Start with the facts
Try the class before joining.
First class free · adult options from £55/month · no joining fee.
Onyx Combat Academy · Unit E-7, KG House, Kingsfield Way, Northampton, NN5 7QS.
Complete beginner?
No previous experience is required. Use the first-class guide to see what to wear, what happens when you arrive and which current session fits you.
Request a free first classCheck current class times →From a striking background into grappling
★★★★★
“Great place to train, coming from a kickboxing background I wanted to try something different in BJJ, it’s humbling in a good way. Awesome bunch of people and highly recommend.”
John M. · Google review