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Get Fit
Regular training can significantly improve your physical fitness and general health. Engaging in our classes not only boosts cardiovascular health but also enhances strength, flexibility, and endurance. Learn to Fight Our experienced instructors provide guidance on self-defense techniques, striking, and grappling, ensuring that you acquire essential skills while building confidence in your abilities.
Improve Mental Health
Martial arts and strength and conditioning training is known to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. The discipline and focus required in practice can lead to improved mental clarity and emotional resilience.
Make Friends
Joining Black Flag provides an excellent opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. Our supportive community encourages camaraderie and fosters lasting friendships among participants of all ages and skill levels.
Ben Hughes
Owner | Head Coach
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach and Operations Director at Black Flag Gym. Lifelong martial artist with experience in boxing, MMA, and a strong focus on No-Gi grappling. Known for a pressure-heavy top game, half guard and lockdown systems, and a practical, competition-tested style. British Army veteran bringing discipline, resilience, and a team-first mindset to coaching. Passionate about developing tough, technical grapplers and building a strong, supportive training culture on and off the mats.
Qualifications: BMABA Level 1 Instructor Award, Concussion & head injury management in martial arts award (chima)
Andre "Dre" James
Gi Brazilian Jiujitsu Coach
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt with nearly two decades of experience on the mats. A highly technical and well-rounded grappler, he is known for his attention to detail and ability to break techniques down into clear, effective systems. His coaching style blends precision, depth of knowledge, and practical application, helping students build strong fundamentals while sharpening advanced skills.
Mateusz Bak
Nogi Brazilian Jiujitsu Coach
Known his highly technical wrestling and pressure focused grappling, Mateusz is a very experienced brown belt in BJJ with almost 20 years of grappling experience. If you want to improve your stand up and transitions to nogi grappling he is the coach for you.
Ben Bowman
Mixed Martial Arts Coach
Ben has a wealth of experience across multiple martial arts disciplines. His style blends Muay Thai, Wrestling and BJJ that culminates in a pressure heavy and versatile style perfect for those who want to compete in MMA, He has travelled to Thailand multiple times to train with with world class coaches and professional MMA fighters.
Matt Kaufman
Striking Coach
Matt has a vast amount of experience in freestyle striking disciplines. Combining his martial arts experience with his experience as a teacher he delivers his lessons in an informative and fun format, perfect for children and adults alike.
Sean Mullin
Owner | Strength & Conditioning Coach
Sean is passionate about physical development, strength and conditioning, injury prevention and recovery. He has spent his life developing a deep understanding of the human body and continues to find ways to improve both his own understanding and the quality of his sessions.
Tommy Brookes
Movement Coach
Will Bristow
Muay Thai & Fitness Personal Trainer
Reilly MacDonald
Striking & Fitness Personal Trainer







