Stop Watching. Start Fighting.
Everyone dreams of being stronger, fitter and more confident.
But dreams don’t change you. Action does.
You don’t have to be a CageFighter to learn MMA.
Joining a Combat Sports gym can feel like an intimidating experience for beginners…
But don’t worry - we understand that not everyone is training for a professional fight.
Our mission is to champion diversity and spread the joy of martial-arts training with as many people as possible.
As such, our fighting family based out of Highams Park in East London comprises people of all ages, genders, sizes and fitness levels. We work with everyone from complete beginners to professional fighters.
The Fighting-Arts Academy is a Mixed Martial-Arts club for everyone.
Download our app MAAT and book your first class!
The Fighting Arts Academy classes are booked using our club app MAAT
Start your journey today.
£10 OFF when you book your first class at The Fighting Arts Academy on MAAT
Master the full Fight.
Fitness, Self-Defence, Competition or Just for Fun...
The martial-arts of MMA provide a great way to get in shape, meet wonderful, driven and goal-oriented people with a common passion for the arts.
Our striking and grappling styles are a great basis for self defence, and for learning life skills.
MUAY-THAI
Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is a powerful striking art that combines punches, kicks, elbows, knees, and clinch techniques — earning it the title “The Art of Eight Limbs.” Far more than just kickboxing, Muay Thai builds strength, timing, and mental sharpness while giving you the tools to defend yourself with confidence. It’s a complete system that develops fitness, discipline, and real-world effectiveness from day one.
BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a ground-based martial art that focuses on controlling and submitting your opponent through leverage, positioning, and technique. Designed to help smaller individuals overcome larger ones, BJJ teaches takedowns, escapes, joint locks, and chokes — all from both top and bottom positions. Ground fighting is at its core, making BJJ one of the most effective self-defence systems in the world. It’s a mentally stimulating, physically rewarding practice for all ages and skill levels.
NO-GI GRAPPLING
No-Gi Grappling takes the principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and applies them in a fast-paced, high-intensity setting — without the traditional kimono. It blends submission wrestling, BJJ, and clinch work to sharpen your reactions, mobility, and athleticism. With a strong focus on modern techniques like leg locks, scrambles, and pressure passing, No-Gi is practical, exciting, and a key part of any complete martial arts foundation. Whether you want to compete, defend yourself, or just get fit and challenged, you’ll love the energy on the mat.
WRESTLING
Wrestling is the engine room of MMA — a dynamic grappling discipline focused on takedowns, control, and staying dominant on your feet and the ground. You’ll learn how to shoot, sprawl, clinch, and chain your attacks together with confidence. Wrestling builds explosive strength, stamina, and pressure — making it essential for competition, self-defence, and personal growth on and off the mat.
The TFAA Story
The Fighting Arts Academy was created because we wanted a gym we’d be proud to bring our own children to — a place that feels safe, inspiring, and grounded in real martial arts. After over two decades of training together, Coaches Darius and Marco set out to build something different: a community-driven academy that offers the authenticity of true combat sports without the ego, politics, or intimidation.
We’ve built East London’s friendliest community combat sports gym — a space where kids, adults, and complete beginners can all train alongside seasoned competitors. Whether you’re here for fitness, confidence, self-defence, or to compete, you’ll be welcomed, supported, and challenged to grow.
We believe martial arts should transform you — physically, mentally, and emotionally. That’s why everything we do is built around two things:
Tough Rounds
We take our training seriously. These are tough sports, and our students deserve top-level coaching and honest feedback. We don’t cut corners. We don’t sugar-coat. We train as a club — and push each other to improve, no matter your level or goal. Whether you’re here for fitness, stress relief, self-defence or competition, we’ll help you build real skill and real resilience. Our students learn to embrace challenge — and the responsibility that comes with real martial arts knowledge.
Great Vibe
The vibe is what sets us apart. It’s the first thing people mention — and the thing that keeps them coming back. There’s a reason people call this place special — and it’s not just the coaching or the classes. It’s the atmosphere. We work hard, but we laugh hard too. We don’t just build fighters — we build friendships, mentorships, and a real sense of belonging. Whether you’re stepping onto the mat for the very first time or you’re a seasoned black belt, you’ll be treated with respect and encouraged to grow at your own pace. You’ll find beginners helping beginners. Kids high-fiving adults. Coaches who actually care. People from all walks of life training together — different backgrounds, beliefs, ages, and abilities — united by a shared commitment to show up, improve, and support each other. We’re proudly ego-free, overtly feminist, and actively inclusive. That means no macho posturing, no cliques, and no tolerance for discrimination. We champion women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ members, and those who’ve never quite felt at home in traditional gyms.
We train hard. We care harder. We’ve got your back — in every sense.
The Fighting Arts Academy often feels more like a family than a sports team.
Good Facilities. Great Coaches.
We are a friendly mixed martial-arts club located within
E4 Health & Fitness Centre in Highams Park in London UK.
Classes run 7-Days a week!
Large Fully Matted Area
Full-Sized Boxing Ring
Punch / Kick Bags and Pads
Changing Room
Downstairs Shower
Weights Room on premises at E4 Gym
Treatment Room on premises at E4 Gym
Large Free Car-Park
Short walk from Highams Park Station
Expert Coaching Team
Ex-Pro MMA Fighters
BJJ Black Belts
Ex-Pro Muay Thai Fighters
Active Competitive Fighters
Fully Insured
First Aid Trained
CRB Checked
Fighting doesn’t discriminate.
Neither do we.
Mixed Martial-Arts as a sport only successfully evolved because people were willing to break down the silos that existed between traditional styles. By keeping an open mind, evaluating things on merit and disregarding prejudice or pre-conception – a new paradigm in combat sports was born. The discipline became a melting-pot where the diverse tapestry of the martial arts came together.
No Egos. No Machismo. No Intolerance of any kind.
We are an actively inclusive organisation, and would love to welcome more women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ people and those from other marginalised communities and faiths to our team.
We recognise the value of diverse perspectives — and the fact that they are often underrepresented in martial arts.
If we can help change that, we will.
First Time Nerves?
Book your first class on MAAT using promo-code WELCOME2TFAA
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Read our New Starters Guide
Talk to a Coach
Fight Like a Girl?
We are an overtly feminist club that champions diversity in all its forms. That means our mats are a safe space.
We train everyone equally hard and treat everyone with the respect they deserve.
We encourage our women members to train in our mixed-classes.
In addition, we also offer dedicated Women’s-Only Sessions taught by a female coach in a seperate space.
Read about our Women’s Team
Talk to a Coach
Follow our journey on Instagram.
