Latest news& updates

The Borderlands Grappling squad made the trip down to HA Muay Thai in Tenbury for a brilliant afternoon of Jiu-Jitsu and community, taking part in a joint open mat followed by a post-training BBQ. Representing Borderlands on the mats were Coach Owain, Andrew Lloyd, Josh Alderson, Charlotte Lewis, Kev Smart, and Fin Smart. The session brought together a great mix of grapplers from across the region, featuring teams from: Borderlands Grappling (Ludlow) HA BJJ (Tenbury) Rouge Co

Turns out it isn't just grappling competitions that Borderlands cleans up at! On Sunday, 26th July, the team at Borderlands Grappling traded the mats for the outdoors to give back to the local community with a volunteer litter-picking day at Mortimer Forest. Following a team open mat training session, a group of 11 students of all ages gathered at High Vinnalls car park, eager to roll up their sleeves and make a positive impact. Over the course of an hour and a half, the crew

Borderlands has been mentioned in two major local media outlets, celebrating our summer grading and our brand new blue belts. You can find the articles covering these in The Ludlow Advertiser and in the Shropshire Star.

Last Saturday, Borderlands Grappling members Andrew Lloyd and Adam Evans travelled to Three Points Martial Arts in Worcester for an intensive, eye-opening seminar led by world-class black belt Jon Thomas. It was an incredible day of technical development, conceptual breakthroughs, and a lot of hard work. Who is Jon Thomas? For those unfamiliar with his background, Jon Thomas is one of the most respected minds in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Receiving his black belt in 2013 u

It was an action-packed Sunday for the team at Borderlands Grappling as we hosted our latest in-house mini-competition and belt grading. The event brought together our grappling community for a fantastic day of sharp technique, hard-fought rounds, and well-earned promotions. A milestone for Borderlands: Homegrown blue belts We kicked off the session with a grading ceremony to recognise the dedication and consistency of our students. This grading marked a massive milestone for

Don't waste time at the wrong gym. We teamed up with a BJJ Black Belt to break down the pros, cons, and coaching pedigree of the county's top 6 grappling academies.

The University of Wolverhampton Walsall Campus Sports Arena played host to the highly anticipated NAGA England Grappling and BJJ Championship this past weekend, drawing top-tier competitors from across the UK. Among those stepping onto the mats was Borderlands Grappling’s own Damian, who endured a grueling, multi-division marathon to bring home two hard-earned silver medals. A strong start in No-Gi Damian kicked off his campaign in the No-Gi 3-man Round Robin division. He s

The Borderlands Grappling community has once again proven that our strength extends far beyond the mats. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our members and supporters, we are proud to announce a total donation of £75 to St Michael’s Hospice, raised entirely from the profits of our limited-edition "Breathe Easy" charity t-shirt. A massive thank you to the community The "Breathe Easy" campaign was launched with a simple but powerful mission: to channel the passion of our l

This weekend, student and assistant coach Andrew Lloyd made the trip to the prestigious BJJ British Open, stepping onto the mats to test his skills against the best in the UK and bringing home a well-deserved bronze medal. Andrew’s First British Championship The BJJ British Open is one of the toughest and most competitive events on the UK calendar, making it a major milestone for any grappler. This was Andrew’s very first time competing at the British. Stepping into an arena

At Borderlands Grappling, we believe that the mat is more than just a place to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; it’s a place where young athletes build character, resilience, and lifelong friendships. To ensure our Juniors and Minis get the most out of every session, we’ve formalized our kids’ code of conduct. This isn't just a list of "dos and don’ts"—it’s the foundation of a safe, high-energy, and inclusive environment. Here is a breakdown of why these standards matter for our yo

The mats in Coventry were home to some of the highest-level grappling in the country this past weekend, and Borderlands Grappling was right in the thick of it. On April 25th, Coach Owain stepped onto the big stage at the ADCC National Championship, putting his skills to the test in one of the most prestigious and challenging environments in the sport. The road to the podium Owain’s day started with a statement victory. In his opening match, he showcased the technical precisio

At Borderlands Grappling, we believe the mats are about more than just technique—they’re about community, resilience, and looking out for one another. That’s why we are incredibly proud to announce our newest release: the "Breathe Easy" t-shirt . But this isn't just another piece of gear. We’ve committed 100% of the profits from every single sale to St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford. Why St Michael’s? For those in our local community, St Michael’s Hospice needs no introducti

We are thrilled to share that our gym has been featured in a major national media outlet, BJJ Eastern Europe (BJJEE). The article, written by our Head Coach, chronicles the journey of opening our doors and the challenges of building a thriving BJJ community in a town of just 10,000 people. When we first started, many skeptics said a specialized BJJ gym couldn’t survive in a smaller market—that the numbers simply wouldn't add up. In the feature, Coach dives deep into the "why

Image credit: Melissa Davies The mats of the United Kingdom are undergoing a quiet, yet powerful transformation. Once a space dominated by men, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) academies across the country are seeing a surge in female participation that is reshaping the sport's landscape. Is female participation in BJJ growing? Participation in BJJ has exploded in the UK in recent years. The United Kingdom Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association (UKBJJA) reported over 1000 club members and

If you’ve spent any time falling down the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu YouTube rabbit hole, you already know the name, Jon Thomas. Known globally for having one of the most analytical BJJ styles, Jon has a knack for deconstructing complex modern guards into concepts that actually make sense for the rest of us. On July 11th, he’s bringing that world-class knowledge to our friends over at Three Points Martial Arts , and we've been invited. An exclusive invite for Borderlands Grappling T

Everything you need to know about our classes over the Easter weekend.

The mats were buzzing with energy last Sunday as we officially kicked off the first-ever Borderlands Minis session. Designed specifically for children aged 4 to 8 years old, this new program is all about introducing the next generation to the fundamentals of movement, discipline, and teamwork through the lens of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Our inaugural class saw five enthusiastic youngsters take to the mats, ready to see what Borderlands is all about. Under the expert guidance of

Last Sunday marked a significant milestone for our academy as we officially launched our first-ever Women’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) class. Held at the Ludlow Primary School (Clee View) hall, the atmosphere was one of focused energy and shared ambition as we opened our mats to a new community of practitioners. Led by Coach Mel , the session was designed to break down the barriers often associated with combat sports. Mel brings a wealth of technical knowledge and a coaching

We are thrilled to announce a brand-new addition to the Borderlands Grappling timetable! Starting March 22nd, we are launching a dedicated Women’s Only Class at Ludlow Primary School. Whether you are looking to build functional strength, learn self-defense, or simply find a supportive community to stay active with, this class is designed specifically for you. Plus, you can give it a try with a 100% free trial . What to Expect Grappling is more than just a sport; it’s a way t

We are thrilled to announce that the all-new Borderlands Minis program will be launching on Sunday, 22nd March. If you’ve been looking for a fun, disciplined, and engaging way to get your little ones active, this is the perfect opportunity. Our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) sessions are specifically designed to introduce younger children to the fundamentals of movement, coordination, and teamwork in a safe and supportive environment. Class Details Here is everything you need to k