Milton Keynes, MK10 0BA

Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu
in Milton Keynes

Taught by a World Champion. Built for beginners, parents, and experienced practitioners alike. Adults, Kids, and No-Gi classes — every week, at Kingston Gymnastic Centre.

World Champion
6th Degree Black Belt

Zé Marcello has been teaching BJJ in Milton Keynes since 2006 — beginners and black belts train side by side.

6th

Degree Black Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

1997

BJJ World Champion Pan American Champion · European Absolute 2008

50+

Black Belts Produced Worldwide under Zé Marcello's instruction

A real academy,
rooted in Milton Keynes

Icon BJJ Milton Keynes is not a franchise or a directory listing. It is a working academy, based at Kingston Gymnastic Centre, run by Zé Marcello — one of the most credentialled Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors in the United Kingdom.

Zé first brought BJJ to Milton Keynes in 2006. Since then, thousands of people have trained here — complete beginners who had never heard of jiu-jitsu, parents looking for a safe martial art for their children, and experienced practitioners who came to compete at the highest level.

Icon BJJ is part of the Brazilian Top Team lineage, one of the most respected competition teams in the world. Zé trained under Sérgio "Bolão" Souza, bringing that direct lineage to every class in Milton Keynes.

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Foundation

Brazilian Top Team

One of the world's most decorated BJJ competition teams

Direct Instructor

Sérgio "Bolão" Souza

Black Belt, Brazilian Top Team

Head Instructor, Icon BJJ MK

Zé Marcello

6th Degree Black Belt · World Champion 1997 · European Absolute 2008

Classes for every level

Whether you've never trained before, you're a parent looking for your child, or you're a seasoned practitioner — there's a class here for you.

Gi · All Levels

Adults BJJ

Mon 18:30 Tue 07:00 Wed 18:30 Thu 07:00
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Ages 5–11 · Gi & No-Gi

Kids BJJ

Mon & Wed 16:45–18:30 Fri 17:00
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No Uniform · All Levels

No-Gi Grappling

Fri 18:00 Sat Open Mat 09:30
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New Starters Welcome

Beginners & Fundamentals

Tue 18:00 Thu 18:00

No experience needed. Just turn up.

Common questions
One-to-One

Private Classes

By Appointment

Train directly with Zé Marcello. Ideal for accelerated learning, competition prep, or personal goals.

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Zé Marcello

6th Degree Black Belt · BJJ World Champion

José Marcello Rodrigues — known to everyone on the mats as Zé — is the kind of instructor you don't come across often. His credentials are extraordinary: a World Champion, a European Absolute Champion, a Pan American Champion, and a 6th Degree Black Belt. But what matters as much as any title is what he does with that knowledge inside a class.

Zé trained under Sérgio "Bolão" Souza of Brazilian Top Team — one of the most respected lineages in the sport. He competed at the highest level through the late 1990s and early 2000s before stepping away from competition to focus entirely on teaching.

He arrived in Milton Keynes in 2006 and has been here ever since. Over fifty of his students have reached black belt rank. Many more have simply learned to defend themselves, get fit, build confidence, or find a community they didn't expect to love.

He teaches the morning class and the evening class. He is on the mat, not in the office. That matters.

BJJ World Champion 1997
European Absolute Champion 2008
Pan American Champion
European Heavyweight Champion 2008
Brazilian Champion 1996 & 1997
50+ Black Belts Produced Worldwide
Brazilian Top Team Lineage
Teaching in Milton Keynes since 2006
Train with Zé — Free Trial Enquire About Privates

📸 Replace with portrait photograph of Zé Marcello

Zé Marcello

Head Instructor · Icon BJJ Milton Keynes

6th Degree Black Belt

When we train

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Day Time Class Type
Monday 16:45 – 17:30 Kids BJJ (Ages 5–7) Kids · Gi
17:30 – 18:30 Kids BJJ (Ages 8–11) Kids · Gi
18:30 – 20:00 Adults BJJ Adults · Gi
Tuesday 07:00 – 08:00 Adults BJJ (Morning) Adults · Gi
17:00 – 18:00 Teenager Class Teens
18:00 – 19:00 Fundamentals (Beginners) Beginners
Wednesday 16:45 – 17:30 Kids BJJ (Ages 5–7) Kids · Gi
17:30 – 18:30 Kids BJJ (Ages 8–11) Kids · Gi
18:30 – 20:00 Adults BJJ Adults · Gi
Thursday 07:00 – 08:00 Adults BJJ (Morning) Adults · Gi
17:00 – 18:00 Teenager Class Teens
18:00 – 19:00 Fundamentals (Beginners) Beginners
Friday 17:00 – 18:00 Kids No-Gi Kids · No-Gi
18:00 – 19:00 No-Gi Grappling Adults · No-Gi
Saturday 09:30 – 11:00 Open Mat All Levels

Gymnastic Centre, 15 Winchester Circle, Kingston, Milton Keynes MK10 0BA

Safe, structured martial arts for Milton Keynes children

Our Kids BJJ classes are one of the most popular programmes we run. Children learn real self-defence skills, improve their focus and physical coordination, and build genuine confidence — all within a supervised, respectful environment.

There is no striking, no sparring outside of supervised technique work, and no machismo. BJJ teaches children to stay calm under pressure, problem-solve with their body, and treat every partner with respect.

Ages 5–7
Ages 8–11
Teenagers
Builds confidence
Real self-defence
Improves focus
Physical fitness
Respectful environment
No prior experience needed
Enquire About Kids Classes

New to BJJ?

The questions every beginner actually asks

Everyone who trains at Icon BJJ today started as a complete beginner. These are the questions they all asked first.

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No. Most people who start BJJ are not especially fit — that changes quickly. You begin at your own pace and build conditioning naturally through training. No baseline fitness is required to walk through the door.
Yes. You train with experienced partners who look after you. Tapping out (submitting) is always respected immediately — no exceptions. The Fundamentals class is specifically designed for people new to the sport, so you won't be thrown in at the deep end.
Comfortable sportswear — joggers and a t-shirt are fine for a trial class. You don't need a gi (uniform) or any equipment until you decide to join. We'll point you in the right direction once you've had a look around.
Almost every person who trains here felt that way before their first class. It fades quickly. The culture at Icon BJJ is one where experienced students actively look after beginners. You'll be welcomed, not ignored.
Yes — BJJ is widely regarded as one of the most practical self-defence systems available. It teaches you to control or escape a situation on the ground, without needing size or strength. Many adults and parents choose BJJ specifically for this reason.
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This section is reserved for genuine testimonials from Icon BJJ Milton Keynes members. No reviews have been invented or fabricated. Add real member quotes here when available — include name, how long they've trained, and what brought them to the academy.

Common questions

No. Most people who start BJJ are not especially fit — that changes quickly. You start at your own pace, and fitness follows naturally from training. No baseline level is required.
Yes. Beginners train with experienced partners who look after them on the mat. Tapping out (submitting) is always respected immediately. We have a Fundamentals class specifically designed for people new to the sport.
For your first trial class, comfortable sportswear is fine — joggers and a t-shirt work well. You do not need a gi (uniform) until you decide to join. We can advise on equipment once you've had a look around.
Yes. We run dedicated Kids BJJ classes for ages 5–7 and 8–11, and a Teenager class. Children learn discipline, confidence, and self-defence in a structured and supervised environment.
You can book by calling or texting 07912 642592, or by emailing zemarcello@mac.com. Just let us know which class you'd like to try and we'll confirm your spot.
Yes. Private one-to-one classes with Zé Marcello are available. These are ideal for accelerating progress, preparing for competition, or learning at your own pace. Contact us for details and availability.

Come and see the mats

Address Gymnastic Centre
15 Winchester Circle
Kingston, Milton Keynes
MK10 0BA
Phone / Text 07912 642592
Instagram @iconbjj_mk
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