Instructors
We’re connecting with some high level instructors to offer you some of the best mat time with great BJJ.
We’re not just looking for high level instructors, we’re looking for good people that are aligned with our philosophy to embody the respect and compassion of community support that these festivals represent and all our instructors are onboard to help support this ethos.
This is our first wave of instructors from our own BJJ community at home and abroard – we’ll be updating with more great people throughout the year!
Ash Williams
Really greatful to welcome Ash Williams to Jitzfest this year, no introduction needed here! .
Ash is a world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and coach from Wales,
known for his relentless pace, technical precision, and elite-level
accomplishments on the international stage. As a multiple-time ADCC
veteran, Polaris Champion, and one of Europe’s top grapplers, Ash
combines high-level competition experience with a passion for teaching.
His coaching style is detail-focused, dynamic, and rooted in years of
success at the highest levels of the sport. Whether you’re a beginner or
an advanced athlete, training with Ash offers a unique opportunity to
learn from one of the UK’s best.
Ash will be with us on Sunday holding a two hour no-gi masterclass.
Dan Gandy
1st Degree Black belt, training since around 2008, spent time training in Brazil and the USA. Best competition result was winning British Open at Brown Belt Adult u64kg (but it was so long ago there were barely any u64kg brown belts!). What I like about jiu jitsu is the way that small, subtle changes can have a big impact on the effectiveness of a technique.
Jon Bull
Fisrt Degree Black Belt. Jon is a dedicated Jiu Jitsu instructor who firmly believes that hard work, attention to detail, and consistent drilling are the keys to achieving great results. With years of experience on the mat, Jon’s teaching philosophy centers around the importance of discipline and perseverance, ensuring his students not only master techniques but also build strong mental fortitude.
In addition to his passion for martial arts, Jon is a talented potter with over two decades of experience in creating and exhibiting his pottery. His artistic journey is marked by a deep commitment to craftsmanship and creativity, resulting in pieces that have been widely admired and sold in various exhibitions. Jon’s dual expertise in Jiu Jitsu and pottery showcases his diverse talents and his dedication to both physical and artistic excellence.
Karl Franks
Karl started his martial arts journey at the age of 10 years old training in Boxing then moving to kickboxing, training under European champion James Russell and WKO World champion Denzil “Deadly Lawrence” Karl competed in point scoring karate at a high level moving on to full contact where he competed at a international level representing Wales.
He started JIU-JITSU in 2009 in Cardiff under multiple world and ADCC champion Braulio Estima’s black belt Chris Rees (Wales very first black belt)Karl then moved to train under UFC veteran and SBG black belt Jason Tan and of MMA academy Liverpool.Achieved the rank of black belt in 2022.
Karl also trains freestyle wrestling with links to Wolverhampton wrestling club.
Karl runs his own successful gym – OSWESTRY JIU-JITSU ACADEMY with over 150 students.
Luiz SurFightClub Tenerife
Luiz Tenerife, born in 1981 in Rio de Janeiro, has been teaching Jiu-Jitsu to children, teenagers, and adults for around 10 years.
“I had the honor of receiving my black belt from Master Octavio Couto, also known as “Ratinho,” in December 2021. He taught me to approach Jiu-Jitsu in a structured and logical way, helping me understand the body’s biomechanics to apply them effectively in combat.”
In his BJJ clinic, we will focus on technical concepts aligned with Jiu-Jitsu biomechanics, presented in a clear and dynamic way..