ABOUT
Diesel Gym is one of the oldest and most successful
mixed martial arts gyms in the UK
Founded by Cliff Bura in 2008, Diesel Gym was born in an area steeped in a rich combat sports history – London’s East End. Throughout its existence it has prided itself in developing international competitors and champions across all of disciplines its practices – true “school of excellence”.
From its Muay Thai practice which grew from the legendary Grandmaster Sken’s Sitnarong camp to Eddie Bravo’s world famous 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu system (a no-gi specific grappling system designed specifically for MMA and utilised consistently by many competitors in promotions such as the UFC, Bellator and ONE Championship). Its wrestling practice and system is one Diesel has developed throughout the years to succeed in the MMA arena.
All our Martial Arts practices are supported by Excel Strength & Conditioning who are there to build and maintain strong healthy athletes. While Physical Defence Physiotherapy are there as our inhouse physiotherapy support to bring members back to full fitness when needed.
Despite Diesel’s long and successful competitive history, the majority of its members train for purely fitness, self defence or personal development reasons. Complete beginners are welcomed and nurtured as importantly as its professional athletes in a true community spirit.
In 2019, Diesel Gym became a non-profit organisation, investing profits back in to its own community projects in Newham in areas such as sports for all, mental health wellbeing and youth crime.
Meet The Team
Cliff Bura
Founder & CEO
Cliff founded Diesel Gym in 2008 and has overseen its development in to the internationally recognised institution it is today. He has been coaching martial arts for over 40 years earning his first black belt in 1984. With thousands of students and champions developed throughout his many years in the game he is truly a source of inspiration, guidance and knowledge to the greater Diesel team. He has studied a wide selection of disciplines from around the world but he is primarily known as an incredible and widely respected muay thai coach. His study of Muay Thai has taken him to many camps in many countries, however his key influence is the world-renowned Master Sken Kaewpundang. It is with Master Sken’s blessing and guidance that the London Sitnarong Camp (later to become the Diesel Muay Thai Team) was first opened in 2003. He is responsible for all aspects of Diesel Gym and takes an active role in ensuring that the quality of its coaching is maintained to the highest standards. Contact Cliff: 07765 243012 or email: cliff@dieselgym.co.uk
Jamie Scott
Gym Manager & Head 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu coach
Jamie Scott is a black belt under Eddie Bravo, the 10th Planet system founder. Born and raised in London's East End, he is a lifelong martial artist, having dabbled in boxing and karate as a kid. During his preparation for a professional MMA bout, Jamie experimented with the rubber guard, which led him to the 10th Planet system. After winning the contest, Jamie sought out Eddie Bravo, the creator, and head of 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, based in Los Angeles. In February 2014, Jamie was granted his Blue Belt by Eddie Bravo and was given permission to open up 10th Planet London, the first and only 10th Planet school in the capital. Since then, Jamie has been tirelessly building the UK's premiere no-gi team, in addition to hosting the only free open mat in London, which takes place every Saturday morning. Jamie was promoted to the rank of Brown Belt in May 2016 by Geo and Richie Martinez, on behalf of Eddie Bravo. He is also active as a competitor, having featured on the Newaza Challenge and Polaris. In addition to his heavy pressure passing and catch wrestling-esque style of grappling, Jamie strongly endorses the submission-only movement and is also one of the most experienced and technically proficient leg-lock experts in the UK.
Arnas Trumpiskis
Head Muay Thai Coach
I had my first Muay thai fight in 2007,which was for a regional title belt against a far more experienced opponent – but that was the confidence of youth. On entry to the ring I tried to be fancy and jump over the ropes which ended up in me falling into the ring. Fortunately, I won that fight by KO. Since that day Muay Thai has been in my life. I finished my fighting career in 2013 with a number national and tournament titles belts and moved in to coaching at Diesel Gym full time.
When I first started, my coaching skills were limited. I thought that I knew everything and maintained my fighter’s arrogance and ego which limited the development of my students. It was then I took a sabbatical from coaching to re-focus on what I wanted to achieve only to return re-energised and completely dedicated to creating a style of Muay Thai coaching based on skills and not just prescribed padwork combinations!
I returned to watching a lot of fights (boxing, Muay Thai, MMA and even animal fights - check out mongoose vs cobra, you wont be dissapointed). Watchingboth elite and lowever level competition and comparing them. When I watched them before it was for entertainment and now I studied them – I wanted to truly understand what the top guys do differently?
If someone wants to fight like Saenchai, they will often try learn his moves or combos, but as Bruce Lee said, “by concentrating on the finger we miss all of the heavenly glory”. If you want to fight like Saenchai you have to drill his footwork, his rhythm, hand positioning, posture, ringcraft and his game plans.
At Diesel Gym we teach skills and ring craft, rather than combinations. Skills used by the world’s elite fighters.
This has led to developing a system based on footwork and partner drills but there is always playtime too.
I hold all of the Diesel Gym students at high standards because that’s my job and we all share our passion for Muay Thai. I want everyone to get the most out of each class which are structured in layers. Starting with simple tasks and then building on them. Taking on a class like this requires a lot of concentration and hard work, thats why you don’t want to be late to Muay thai classes and I will make sure everyone knows it!
The goal is to move away from just haphazard pad work centric training to a more methodical and systematic approach to take people from beginner to advanced.
Tom Wincott
Head MMA Coach
Hailing from Hackney, East London, Tom Wincott made the transition from amateur boxing to MMA under Diesel Gym and Jamie Scott. Now a well-rounded fighter, Tom holds a 6-1 professional MMA record. Renowned for his heavy hands and potent guillotine choke, which has given him most of his victories, Tom is a skilled fighter and coach. He greets each person with a friendly attitude and sense of humour, making learning from him easy and enjoyable. In addition to teaching MMA, Tom also handles Diesel’s famous ‘Iron Beast Circuit’ where fighter and hobbyist alike can really test and build their athleticism by being pushed to their absolute limit. With a good understanding of both fighting and strength and conditioning, Tom is one of the best people to learn under. Tom Wincott’s Accolades and Achievements: • UCMMA Welterweight Champion • WFC Welterweight Champion • Purple Belt in 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu
Chris Cruze
Head of Strength & Conditioning
Chris has been involved in Martial Arts since he was 6 years old. Starting with Judo at the famous Brian Jacks Academy, moving on to Karate and Kickboxing at various schools throughout
South London, gaining years of competitive experience as a youth athlete. Chris then trained and competed in gymnastics in his younger days which focused his particular interest
in Strength & Conditioning years later, realising it's importance for combat athletes and sports performance.
Working alongside some of the top coaches & athletes in the country in Muay Thai, Olympic Weightlifting, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Athletics, Chris realised he wanted to not only work with
competitive athletes but to also help those who didn't have access to gyms for Strength training and Martial Arts. This led to him setting up a youth mentoring program providing free
training and work experience. Some of the former members are now successful athletes/coaches and have promising careers in the industry.
In 2008 Chris joined London Sitnarong and trained Muay Thai under Kru Cliff Bura, he also trained BJJ there for the first time with Alan Finfou and was immediately hooked.
Years later Cliff set up the well known Diesel Gym in Limehouse where Chris trained and competed in MMA and NO GI under world champion Leo Negao.
Chris went on to study Strength & Conditioning/Sports Performance education with British Weight Lifting and UKSCA.
Working with combat athletes Chris felt it was important to get in the ring/cage himself even though he had no aspirations to become a career fighter. Rather than just telling the fighters
how they needed to train to win fights and improve physically, Chris believed it was important to know what it felt like to perform under the same conditions as the athletes he was coaching.
Chris has years of experience competing in strength sports, athletics, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and No GI grappling competitions, winning numerous gold, silver and bronze medals along the way, including
winning gold at the British Open in 2012, IBJJF International and Seni Invitational at the Excel Arena to name a few. He also has semi-pro MMA and amateur kick boxing experience.
He is a Purple belt in BJJ under Steve O'Keeffe. For 10 years they worked together at Fight for Peace Academy in East London coaching BJJ/MMA and providing boxing and fitness sessions to
secondary school children throughout the London Borough of Newham. Chris was the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at FFP for over 4 years, training amateur and pro athletes during their fight
camps. They have also helped to coach two of their students from complete beginners to being ranked number 1 in their respective divisions in the UK Amateur MMA rankings. Chris finally left
to start his own S&C facility at Diesel Gym in Royal Docks where he now trains all levels of athletes from British Judo, to professional MMA and combat sports.
British Weightlifting Assoc(BWLA), UKSCA, OLF Kettlebells L1 & L2, OLF Weightlifting, PT/Instructor L3, Emergency First Aid (L2 QCF), Mental Health Awareness, Child Safeguarding, DBS Checked
& full sports insurance. Chris is available for private PT sessions, group classes, sports performance and strength training programs.
SHIRZad qadrian
MMA and Wrestling Coach
Shirzad is a proud Kurd and grew up in the up the formidable world of wrestling in Iran. His mother was a freestyle wrestler and his first teacher at the age of 5. By the time he was 14 he was already 2 times Iranian Freestyle wrestling champion. Before coming to the UK at the age of 19, he had also won 2 amateur MMA championships with the record 16-0-0. On arriving in the UK Shirzad joined Diesel Gym London, turned professional and within 2 years he had won another 2 MMA Titles before being signed to Cage Warriors (Europe’s largest MMA promotion). In 2024, he won $50,000 in one night in Cage Warrior’s Prizefighter tournament.
Shirzad has in recent years taken a number of trips to Dagestan for long periods to train under the unbeaten MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team. Training alongside fighters such as Islam Makhachev (current UFC world champion and recognised widely as the best Pound for Pound in the world), brothers Umar and Usman Nurmagomedov, Tagir Ulanbekov and Kasum Kasumov. Shirzad is now working alongside our other coaches to integrate the training programmes and techniques from Dagestan in to our curriculum.
John Hathaway
Wrestling Coach
John is a Pro-MMA fighter and signed to the UFC with a 17-2 record including 7 wins with the UFC. He is also 2x Silver Medalist in the British National Freestyle champions as well as the NEWA Freestyle Wrestling Champion. John also the owner and coach of the Umbra Combat Club in Steyning.
“
a good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life
– Jon Gordon
Google reviews
Has been more than a year I’m going to Diesel Gym training Muay Thai and I’ve admit It’s the best gym in London for this combat sport, the coaches are simply the best; from Arnas, Elijah, Cameron, Stanimir, Sydney, Jimmy. I highly recommend if you want train Muay Thai seriously, I also like the timetables suitable to my schedule from morning to evening. The facility has showers and changing rooms, sauna, heavy bag area and weights room. I’m aware of MMA, JIU JITSU and WRESTLING classes are top notch, personally I’ve never tried, but I have to say the environment It’s really cool friendly, for £99 monthly It’s the best deal in London!
Luca Missaglia
28 January 20255* best in London
John Smith
8 January 2025Such a wicked gym man. All the crew are great. Been there a few months now and with prior experience in only boxing and judo, I feel i’ve been able to learn so much, so quickly, with the help of the guys here. Big up yourselves Cam, Sal and everyone in the gym who helps me learn every session 💪 Love to Cliff as well, such a friendly and helpful guy with anything you need.
Laybourne
29 December 2024I had the privilege of training at Diesel Gym London for two years, focusing on BJJ and MMA, and it was an incredible experience! The gym has an amazing atmosphere—welcoming, yet intensely focused on growth and development. The coaches are highly skilled and genuinely passionate about their craft, offering personalized attention to help you progress, whether you're a beginner or an experienced fighter. The BJJ program is top-notch under the 10th planet family, with a strong emphasis on technique and practical application, while the MMA classes are dynamic and challenging, pushing you to reach your full potential. What sets Diesel Gym apart is the sense of community. The team fosters a supportive environment where everyone is motivated to help each other succeed. The facilities are clean, well-equipped, and designed to handle a variety of martial arts disciplines, making it a perfect place to train seriously. If you're in London and looking for a gym to sharpen your skills, build your fitness, and join a family of dedicated martial artists, Diesel Gym is the place to be. Highly recommend!
Lorenzo Giorgio
29 December 2024Diesel Gym is fantastic. Friendly, professional team and top-notch instructors make every session a great experience. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to learn BJJ
Jarek Sikorski
29 November 2024Lovely group of people definitely suggest signing up
William Dobberson
29 October 2024Gym located near the royal albert station. Went there for a 1.5 hours Muay Thai class (all levels). You will be paired up with a person (buddy) in a class. Instructor will demonstrate a technique and you will execute it with your buddy for 3 mins, followed by push ups. This will be repeated for about 35-40mins. After which, you will switch over and you become the pad holder for your buddy. Personally, I am not a fan of such modality as skills level between you and your buddy may be different which could potentially be dangerous. No worries about the hygiene as the gym staff will constantly remind members to keep the shoes off the mat. Kudos to the enforcement. Gym has toilet and locker room with showering facilities but there are no lockers provided.
Swee Chye Loh
29 October 2024Great gym with fantastic coaches, perfect for learning any of the martial arts they offer, very accommodating to new fighters and experienced 👍
Roan Harding
29 October 2024Fantastic gym in an ideal location overlooking the docks. Cliff, the trainers and the people here are great - no egos or bravado. Great mix of classes on all day, everyday to suit your schedule, large mat areas and well-equipped facilities. Happy to recommend.
Patrick CS
29 October 2024I’ve trained with Arnas and the fight team for over a week now and have really enjoyed the Muay Thai sessions. The team are so friendly and inclusive, Arnas is very knowledgeable and helpful giving me valuable feedback. They also have a weights area which has everything you need for strength workouts. I also have to say the female changing room is very clean. Cliff the owner has been super accommodating and I will definately return. Thank you guys!
Pink Ribbons
29 October 2024best gym out there
Dan'sBroke
29 September 2024Must train here Respectful people No egos No toxic people Loving community Welcoming to all levels No nonsense
Renminbi
29 September 2024Possibility the best gym in London, positive atmosphere and great coaches
Art A.
29 September 2024Amazing gym, with good vibes and good people, I would definitely recommend if you are trying to get into combat sports or just for general fitness.
Warsame Ibrahim
29 September 2024Been training at diesel for nearly 2 years, specifically the 10th planet jiu jitsu. All of the coaches are excellent and there's a wide range of classes avaialble, from fundamental through to advanced. Beginners are very welcome and egos are left at the door, you should not be worried at all about joining. Unfortunately I don't have the time to fit in the other martial arts but they are also fantastic groups from what I've seen.
Joromy Bou Khalil
29 August 2024Best gym ever! I loved it there
julien belinga
29 August 2024I go for Lauren's workout classes and she's an amazing PT 👏 🤩 Thank you for motivating me.
Disha Trivedi
29 July 2024Lovely gym. The main man, Cliff, is a legend. Recommended!
Mtnn
19 July 2024Friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Great and clean facility! Excellent trainers/coaches
Svetlana Samways
17 July 2024The gratis Boot Camp and Circuit Training classes by Lauren are brilliant. The classes are open to all levels and aspire to be sweaty adrenaline charged sessions. Lauren's enthusiasm is infectious and the ladies group is super supportive and familial. The martial arts crew training next us somehow manage to remain friendly and smiling despite the endless punching and kicking. The dock side location is perfect for a post workout cool breeze.
BAY AGNANI
17 July 2024
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