About

Mark Badham, founder of The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Market Drayton and co-founder of the British Army Jiu Jitsu Team, is a serving member of the British Army with over 24 years of service. Mark began his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) journey in 2011 and quickly developed a deep passion for the art.

Driven by a commitment to excellence, Mark travelled to Brazil—the birthplace of BJJ—where he trained under world-renowned legends Ricardo De La Riva and Fernando "Tererê" Augusto. While in Brazil, he competed in the prestigious Rio Open as a White Belt, proudly advancing to the quarter-finals.

Upon returning to the UK, Mark co-founded the Army Jiu Jitsu Team, helping to make BJJ accessible to service personnel across the Armed Forces. Facing initial resistance due to the sport’s unofficial status, Mark and his peers successfully campaigned for official recognition of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu within the UK Armed Forces—a landmark achievement secured in 2015.

Now a Black Belt, Mark has opened his second gym, The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy, in Market Drayton. His goal is to share the many benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with the local community, offering professional training to people of all ages and abilities. His mission is rooted in a personal journey—BJJ has had a profound, positive impact on his life, and he’s passionate about helping others experience the same.