Meet the team
JP
Owner and Head Muay Thai CoachJP is the owner and head Muay Thai coach at Cool Heart Combat Sports. In addition to his work at the gym, JP is the head coach of the University of Bristol Muay Thai Society, and a visiting coach at organisations such as 224 Youth Zone.
JP has 6 years of coaching experience and is a fully insured and accredited coach under the BMABA (British Martial Arts and Boxing Association), with relevant qualifications in Level One and Level Two Coaching, First Aid, Safeguarding, SENCO, and Mental Health First Aid.
JP has fought both under both amateur and professional rulesets in England and Thailand; he has also coached fighters from novice to professional class. JP is an experienced cornerman and padholder with an eye for detail who aims to develop the unique skillset of every student. You can find testimonials about JP here.
Balazs
MMA CoachWith over a decade of martial arts experience, Balaz brings a technical, supportive, and practical approach to coaching. He began his martial arts journey in judo at the age of 13 and currently holds a brown belt, before transitioning into MMA, where he has trained for the past eight years.
Belaz has three years of coaching experience, including coaching at the University of Bristol MMA Society, where he’s helped develop athletes of all experience levels. He’s also coached and cornered numerous students through their first competitions, guiding them from their first sessions in the gym to fight night.
He is fully insured through the British Mixed Martial Arts Association (BMABA) and holds a BMABA First Aid qualification. Whether you’re stepping onto the mats for the first time or preparing for competition, his goal is to provide a structured, safe, and enjoyable training environment that helps you improve with confidence.
Rufus
MMA CoachRufus is one of our two dedicated MMA coaches at Cool Heart Combat Sports. Insured under the BMABA (British Martial Arts and Boxing Association), Rufus has been passionate about martial arts ever since starting karate lessons at six years old. Alongside studying for his masters in Music Composition, Rufus helps to run the university of Bristol’s MMA society and is a proud member of Wrestle for Humanity.
With a black belt in karate, a purple belt in BJJ, and experience fighting in both Muay Thai and MMA, Rufus has developed a broad set of technical skills to complement his well rounded coaching style, which aims to unlock each individuals potential by helping them understand and apply fundamental principles of fighting.