Submission grappling training at Onyx Combat Academy Northampton

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu · No-Gi · Wrestling · Judo

Submission Grappling in Northampton

Develop takedowns, positional control, escapes and submissions through a complete grappling programme for children and adults.

Book grappling training View membership options

Beginners welcome · competition optional · Unit E-7, KG House, Northampton

One complete grappling pathway

Control the position. Create the finish.

Our junior competition pathway in action: Monét David defends her European title in Lisbon →

Our grappling programme brings together the disciplines that build complete ground and takedown skills. Students learn safely through technical instruction, partner drills, positional rounds and controlled live training.

Beginners start with movement, balance, safe falling, escapes and fundamental positions. Experienced students can develop competition strategy, pressure, transitions and submission systems.

Takedowns, clinch work and takedown defence
Positional control, escapes and reversals
Guard work, passing and pins
Submission attacks and defence
Gi and No-Gi training
Optional competition pathway

Submission Grappling Coach

Tom Mearns

Professional fight experience translated into practical, structured coaching.

Tom’s professional MMA and competitive No-Gi background gives students a clear understanding of how takedowns, positional control and submissions work when resistance and pressure increase.

His sessions connect the phases of grappling rather than treating techniques in isolation: entering safely, establishing control, advancing position and recognising the right moment to finish.

Beginners are introduced progressively, while experienced athletes can develop sharper transitions, decision-making and competition-ready application.

Tom’s next competition: OXO Brighton, 14 November →

Meet Tom Mearns Request a free class

ZR Team Global Affiliation

A proven lineage—not an improvised programme.

Onyx Combat Academy is part of the worldwide ZR Team network founded by Master Zé Radiola. That connection gives Northampton students a structured route from first fundamentals to advanced competition, with regular progression reviews, timely gradings and access to knowledge developed across an international team.

Our programme combines Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, No-Gi submission grappling, wrestling and judo, with specialist coaches and a connection to the international ZR Team network.

Structured developmentA coherent technical pathway with gradings earned through demonstrated progress.

Global coaching networkConnection to senior ZR Team coaches, seminars and generations of competitive knowledge.

Competition pathwaySupport for recreational students and athletes pursuing national and international titles.

The source

Master Zé Radiola

A Carlos Gracie Jr. black belt and one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most respected talent developers. His Recife academy produced elite competitors including Braulio and Victor Estima, Otávio Sousa and Lucas Rocha—athletes who went on to win major IBJJF and ADCC honours.

View the documented lineage →

Northampton leadership

Professor Bradman Cuffy

Our head instructor is a Zé Radiola black belt with more than two decades in the sport. His record includes British and international IBJJF success, including black-belt double gold at the 2022 London Fall Open. He has also coached students towards national and international competition success.

See official IBJJF results →

UK coaching lineage

Professor Alain Pozo

Alain Pozo began training with Zé Radiola in Recife in 1996 and became a central figure in ZR Team UK. His coaching lineage includes Taylor Pearman, the 2024 ADCC European Trials champion and ADCC World Championship qualifier—clear evidence of development from academy coaching to the sport’s highest level.

Read Professor Pozo’s profile →

The system in practice

Professor Charles Negromonte

Charles Negromonte came through Zé Radiola’s academy, received his black belt from him and became a World No-Gi, European and Abu Dhabi circuit medallist. His career demonstrates how the ZR lineage can carry an athlete from a demanding academy environment to sustained success on the international stage.

View Charles Negromonte’s record →

For students in Northampton, this lineage means more than a badge on the wall: it connects everyday classes to a tested technical system, accountable promotion standards and coaches with direct experience of developing athletes for high-level competition.

ZÉ RADIOLA GLOBAL AFFILIATION

ZR TEAM ACADEMIES AROUND THE WORLD

A worldwide Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu network connected through the lineage, standards and teaching of Master Zé Radiola.

Towns & cities represented

Countries represented

158 towns and cities. 35 countries.
One global team.

Global affiliation footprint · Hover or tap a marker to explore a region

Grappling disciplines

Choose a specialist route—or train across them all.

Dedicated programme information is maintained on the ZR Team Northampton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu website.

Gi and No-Gi

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Leverage, positional control, escapes, submissions and structured technical progression for children and adults.

Explore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu →

Modern grappling

No-Gi BJJ

Faster-paced training using body control, wrestling-style entries, scrambles and submission systems without Gi grips.

Explore No-Gi BJJ →

Takedowns and control

Wrestling

Entries, hand fighting, takedowns, mat returns, scrambles and positional control that transfer across No-Gi and MMA.

View wrestling classes →

Throws and safe falling

Judo

Balance, grip fighting, foot sweeps, throws and breakfalls that strengthen the standing phase of grappling.

Explore Judo →

Current grappling timetable

Classes throughout the week.

Current academy schedule, including the approved Friday lunchtime move. Check the linked timetable before travelling in case of updates.

Monday6:30–7:30 PM

Kids BJJGi

Monday7:30–8:30 PM

Adults BJJGi

Tuesday5:30–6:30 PM

Kids WrestlingTakedowns, scrambles and control

Tuesday6:30–7:30 PM

Submission GrapplingNo-Gi

Wednesday12:00–1:00 PM

Adults BJJLunchtime Gi

Wednesday6:30–7:30 PM

Kids BJJNo-Gi

Wednesday7:30–8:30 PM

Female-Led BJJNo-Gi

Thursday5:30–6:30 PM

Kids JudoThrows, sweeps and safe falling

Thursday6:30–7:30 PM

Submission GrapplingAdult No-Gi

Friday12:00–1:00 PM

Submission GrapplingAdult lunchtime No-Gi

Friday5:30–6:30 PM

Kids WrestlingTakedowns, entries and mat returns

Saturday5:30–6:30 PM

Kids BJJNo-Gi

Saturday6:30–7:30 PM

Adults BJJNo-Gi

Check the latest grappling timetable Book through the app

Simple membership choices

Strike, grapple—or train everything.

Your first class is free. Choose the package that matches how you want to train.

Membership

Train with Onyx

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.

See current membership options

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

Read the academy’s Google reviews

Meet the coaches

Meet the coaches behind the wider grappling team: Bradman Cuffy, Gee Hallacy, Alfie Nourish and Gabriel Valincius. Their profiles explain their individual backgrounds in BJJ, No-Gi, Judo and Wrestling.

Starting BJJ and No-Gi at Onyx

New to ground skills? Read our introduction to positional control and armbar fundamentals or explore how a complete BJJ system connects standing and ground skills. Your coach will introduce techniques at a suitable level.

Is BJJ suitable for beginners?

Yes. Beginners work on movement, balance, escapes and fundamental positions. A coach can help choose a suitable first session. Read our beginner guide and book a free first class.

What is the difference between BJJ, wrestling and judo?

BJJ develops ground control, escapes and submissions. Wrestling develops takedowns, positional control and scrambles. Judo develops throws, balance and safe falling. Our timetable lets students develop these complementary skills with specialist coaches.

Can children train without competing?

Yes. Competition is optional. Our children’s programme supports recreational training as well as a competition pathway.

What should I wear?

Ask your coach which session you are attending before buying equipment. Gi BJJ uses a gi; No-Gi training uses suitable sportswear. Tell us your experience and any equipment you already have when booking.