Base Defence Gym coaching team

Learn from experience.

BDG's coaching team brings together high-level martial arts knowledge, competitive experience and a shared commitment to helping every member improve—from complete beginners to experienced competitors.

  • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
  • Muay Thai
  • MMA
  • Strength & conditioning

Meet the team

Coaching with purpose.

Every coach brings their own experience and specialism, while working within the same BDG culture: structured training, clear guidance and genuine investment in each member's progress.

Zayd, Base Defence Gym BJJ and MMA coach

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu · MMA

Zayd

Aarron Burgin

Second Degree BJJ Black Belt, awarded by the legendary Mauricio Gomes, with coaching experience across Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA.

  • 2nd Degree Black Belt
  • BJJ
  • MMA
Professor Rafael dos Santos

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu · Judo

RDS

Professor Rafael dos Santos

Fifth Degree BJJ Black Belt, Judo coach and multiple-time British, European and World Champion, bringing championship-level technical experience to BDG.

  • 5th Degree Black Belt
  • Judo
  • World Champion
  • Private coaching
Habib Hamid, Base Defence Gym BJJ coach

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

HABz

Habib Hamid

BJJ Black Belt and BDG coach, focused on helping members develop sound fundamentals, confidence and a long-term approach to progress.

  • BJJ Black Belt
  • Coach
Dan Bocking, Base Defence Gym BJJ coach

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Dan

Dan Bocking

BJJ Black Belt supporting BDG members with structured technical coaching and experienced guidance on the mats.

  • BJJ Black Belt
  • Coach
Coach Bones, Base Defence Gym BJJ coach

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Coach Bones

Jonathan Socratous

BJJ Brown Belt offering practical, detail-focused coaching for beginners, active members and experienced grapplers.

  • BJJ Brown Belt
  • Private coaching
Kru Ali, Base Defence Gym Muay Thai coach

Muay Thai

Kru Ali

Shuhaib Ali

Level 3 Muay Thai Instructor with 20+ years of experience and an undefeated 19–0 professional record. His coaching develops technique, conditioning, confidence and mindset.

  • Level 3 Instructor
  • 19–0 Professional Record
  • Private coaching
Paul Doherty, Base Defence Gym BJJ coach

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Paul

Paul Doherty

BJJ Black Belt bringing experienced technical coaching and a strong focus on practical improvement.

  • BJJ Black Belt
  • Coach
Chris Dezeure, Base Defence Gym strength, conditioning and cardio coach

Strength & Conditioning · Cardio

Chris

Chris Dezeure

Strength and conditioning and cardio coach helping members develop fitness, physical capacity and resilience to support their wider training.

  • Strength & Conditioning
  • Cardio

One-to-one coaching

Build your game with focused coaching.

Explore private coaching with RDS, Kru Ali and Coach Bones. Compare expertise, availability, session lengths and package prices in one place.

View private coaching