ROLE: CO-OWNER & HEAD COACH
RANK: BLACK BELT (2022)
GRAPPLING EXPERIENCE: 13 YEARS
CLASSES: GI, NO GI, KIDS

Tom is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt with over a decade of experience in training, competition, and coaching. His journey began in 2012, training under Craig Jones in Adelaide, before moving to Melbourne in 2015 to pursue BJJ full time at Absolute MMA under Lachlan Giles.

Over the past 13 years, Tom has competed extensively on the national and international stage, including appearances at ADCC Trials, the IBJJF World Championships, No Gi Pan Ams, and Grapplefest UK. Domestically, he’s been a regular on the competition circuit, winning multiple State and National Championships, and featuring on super-fight shows like M16 Open and Battlegrounds Invitational.

His coaching reflects the same dedication that defines his own training. For eight years, Tom coached at Absolute MMA St Kilda, developing a clear, thoughtful style that helps students understand technique, strategy, and positional nuance. He’s also travelled widely, training at world-renowned gyms including B-Team (Austin), Atos HQ (San Diego), and Marcelo Garcia Academy (New York).

Whether he’s breaking down high-level concepts or creating a relaxed, engaging class environment, Tom combines technical detail with a grounded, accessible teaching style. And yes, there’s usually some country music playing in the background.