Owner & Head Instructor Combat Athletics Academy
 

Mark Tucker’s martial arts journey began in 1983, in Judo. From there, he went on to join the Royal Marines where he took up Judo again along side Boxing. On leaving the Royal Marines in 1994, Mark was introduced to the art of Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Martial Arts (Kali/Eskrima/Arnis) by Bob Gilchrist.

While training in Jeet Kune Do and Kali Mark traveled around the world and trained with many high level instructors such as Guro Dan Inosanto, Paul Vunak, Rick Faye, Erik Paulson, Daniel Lonero, Yuri Nakamura and Rick Young.

After training in many arts Mark was introduced to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by Sifu Rick Young. He received his blue belt in BJJ from Royce Gracie in 2003, in 2012 he received his BJJ black belt from professor Pedro Bessa.

Mark as also traveled the world teaching unarmed combat to US Forces, NZ Forces, UK Forces, UK Police and close protection operatives.

MARK’S credentials include:

• Brazilian Jiu JItsu Black Belt – under Pedro Bessa
• Pekiti Tirsia Kali Lakan Guro Auorthorised Team Leader – Pekiti Tirsia Tactiacal Association 
• Jeet Kune Do Concepts (Level 1) – under Rick Faye
• Jun Fan Gung Fu (Level 1) – under Rick Faye
• Filipino Martial Arts (Level 1) – under Rick Faye
• Muay Thai Kick Boxing (Level 1) – under Rick Faye
• Grappling Arts (Level 1) – under Rick Faye
• Panantukan Boxing (MKG Method) – under Rick Faye
• Jeet Kune Do Concepts (Full Instructor) – under Paul Vunak
• Filipino Martial Arts (Full Instructor) – under Paul Vunak
• Rapid Assault Tactics (RAT) Certified Executive Instructor – under Paul Vunak
• First Aid Trained - FREC3 - SWAT Community Responder 
• Full DBS Checked 
• Safeguarding Children – Level 1
• Safeguarding Adults – Level 2
• Preventing Radicalisation – Basic Prevent Awareness

CAREER

• First BJJ black belt in Cornwall
• First Mixed Martial Arts fighter from Cornwall
• Has trained many european top 20 MMA fighters
• Lockdown welter weight MMA champion
• BJJ worlds nogi silver (purple)
• BJJ worlds nogi bronze (Purple absolute)
• BJJ European silver (brown)
• Cage Rage veteran 
• BAMMA veteran