Abnel Rodrigues – Third Degree Black Belt – Founder and Head Coach
Hailing from Brazil, the birthplace of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Abnel is the heart and soul of our club. A third-degree black belt with over 25 years of experience, he has dedicated 16 of those years to coaching and inspiring students on the mats. Since moving to Ireland in 2008, Abnel has worked tirelessly to share his passion for jiu jitsu, founding our club and creating a space where students of all levels feel welcome and challenged.
Abnel’s love for both gi and no-gi jiu jitsu shines through in every class he teaches, blending technical precision with a supportive and energetic coaching style. Whether you're a beginner taking your first steps or a competitor refining your game, Abnel’s expertise and enthusiasm ensure you’ll find both guidance and motivation under his leadership.
Ali Foley – Black Belt – Head No Gi Coach
Born and raised in Dublin, Ali is a black belt with over 15 years of experience in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Ali’s passion for jiu jitsu goes beyond teaching—he’s a true student of the sport, keeping up with the latest techniques and strategies by studying matches and innovations from around the world daily. His classes are dynamic and detail-focused, offering students cutting-edge insights and practical applications in order to sharpen their game and deepen their knowledge of Jiu Jitsu.
Craig McCarthy – First Degree Black Belt – Jiu Jitsu Coach
Craig is a first-degree black belt who has been dedicated to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for over a decade. Earning his black belt in 2021 and his first degree in 2024, Craig combines technical expertise with a deep passion for teaching. Hailing from Dublin, he also brings a strong kickboxing background and is a qualified personal trainer, making his approach to coaching both versatile and well-rounded.
Vicente Rodrigues - Second Degree Black Belt - Jiu JItsu coach
Hailing from Brazil, Vicente is a second-degree black belt with an encyclopedic knowledge of jiu jitsu. Beyond his skill, Vicente is known for his friendly and welcoming nature, creating a positive environment where students feel encouraged to learn and improve. With years of experience on the mats, he brings both deep technical expertise and a passion for teaching to every class. His approach to coaching is both detail-oriented and engaging, making even the most complex techniques accessible to students of all levels.
Colm Finlay – Brown Belt – Jiu Jitsu Coach
Colm is a skilled brown belt with a proven track record in competition, having earned multiple medals across various tournaments. Known for his physicality as well as his technical precision, Colm brings a wealth of experience to his teaching.
Steve Kearns – Brown Belt – Jiu Jitsu and MMA Coach
Steve is a talented brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a dedicated coach with over four years of teaching experience. A versatile athlete and competitor, he has medalled in both jiu jitsu and MMA competitions, showcasing his skill across multiple disciplines.
In addition to his expertise on the mats and in the cage, Steve is a passionate fitness enthusiast who brings a high-energy, holistic approach to his coaching.
Nikola Atanasov – Brown Belt – Jiu Jitsu and MMA Coach
Niko is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and an experienced BJJ and MMA coach with a diverse martial arts background that includes Tai Chi, kickboxing, and wrestling. His unique combination of skills, combined with years of practical experience working in the security sector, gives him a well-rounded approach to coaching both striking and grappling techniques as well as fluid movement, strategic thinking, and the integration of various martial arts principles into jiu jitsu and MMA.