Led by Professor David Cartwright-Khoza · Black Belt
2020Founded
#1UK Master 1 Black Belt
ADCCCoached a world top-4 finisher
FreeFirst class
Meet the Professor
Professor David Cartwright-Khoza
Founder & Head Coach · Black Belt
David founded Apex in 2020 with a simple idea: a world-class training environment in Finsbury Park where complete beginners and elite competitors share the same mats. A World & European black belt medalist and #1 ranked in the UK on the AJP circuit, he's a Lapel Guard innovator — and the coach behind ADCC world-level talent, including Owen Jones, an ADCC World Championship semi-finalist who placed top four in the world in 2024.
Train with us
Four disciplines. One academy.
Gi BJJ
The foundation. Fundamentals through advanced, all levels welcome.
Beginner → Elite
No-Gi
Faster, athletic grappling. Wrestling and submission focus.
All levels
Wrestling
Takedowns and control to level up your top game.
Included in membership
Muay Thai
The art of eight limbs — striking programme alongside the grappling.
Included or separate — TBC
Live schedule
This week on the mats
Apex BJJ
MondayToday
Morning
06:30–07:30
BJJ Gi · All Levels
Coach Joao · Mat 2
10:30–12:00
BJJ Drilling Session
Mat 1
12:00–13:00
BJJ Gi · All Levels
Professor David · Mat 2
Afternoon
16:00–16:30
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 3-5
Coach AJ · Mat 2
16:30–17:00
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 6-8
Coach AJ · Mat 2
17:00–18:00
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 9-14
Coaches Ben & AJ · Mats 1 & 2
Evening
18:30–20:00
BJJ Gi · Advanced
Professor David · Mat 1
18:30–19:30
BJJ Gi · Fundamentals
Coach Lyes · Mat 2
20:00–21:00
MMA · Beginners
Coach Lewis · Mat 2
Apex BJJ
TuesdayToday
Morning
06:30–07:30
BJJ Gi · All Levels
Coach Joao · Mat 2
10:30–12:00
Comp Training
Professor David · Open to all · Mat 1, Blue Belt +
12:00–13:00
BJJ No-Gi · All Levels
Coach Joao · Mat 2
Afternoon
16:30–17:00
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 6-8
Coach AJ · Mat 2
17:00–18:00
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 7-15
Coach Ben · Mat 2
18:00–18:50
BJJ Gi · Fundamentals
Coach Joao · Mat 1
Evening
18:30–19:30
Comp Training
Professor David · Mat 1, Blue Belt +
18:30–20:00
BJJ No-Gi · All Levels
Coach Anton · Mat 2
19:00–20:00
Muay Thai Kick Boxing
Coach Lewis · Mat 1
20:00–21:30
BJJ Gi · All Levels
Professor David · Mat 2
Apex BJJ
WednesdayToday
Morning
06:30–07:30
BJJ Gi · All Levels
Coach Joao · Mat 2
12:00–13:00
BJJ Gi · All Levels
Professor David · Mat 2
Afternoon
16:00–16:30
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 3-5
Coach AJ · Mat 2
16:30–17:00
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 6-8
Coach AJ · Mat 2
17:00–18:00
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 9-14
Coaches Ben & AJ · Mats 1 & 2
Evening
18:30–20:00
BJJ Gi · Advanced
Professor Alessandro · Mat 1
18:30–19:30
BJJ Gi · Fundamentals
Professor David · Mat 2
20:00–21:30
MMA · Beginners
Coach Malek · Mat 2
Apex BJJ
ThursdayToday
Morning
06:30–07:30
BJJ Gi · All Levels
Coach Joao · Mat 2
10:30–12:00
Comp Training
Professor David · Open to all · Mat 1, Blue Belt +
12:00–13:00
BJJ No-Gi · All Levels
Coach Joao · Mat 2
Afternoon
16:30–17:00
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 6-8
Coach AJ · Mat 2
17:00–18:00
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 7-15
Coach Ben · Mat 2
18:00–18:50
BJJ Gi · Fundamentals
Coach Joao · Mat 1
Evening
18:30–19:30
Comp Training
Professor David · Mat 1, Blue Belt +
18:30–20:00
BJJ No-Gi · All Levels
Coach Anton · Mat 2
19:00–20:00
Muay Thai Kick Boxing
Coach Lewis · Mat 1
20:00–21:30
BJJ Gi · All Levels
Professor David · Mat 2
Apex BJJ
FridayToday
Morning
06:30–07:30
BJJ No-Gi · All Levels
Coach Joao · Mat 2
10:30–12:00
BJJ Drilling Session
Mat 1
12:00–13:00
BJJ Gi · All Levels
Professor David · Mat 2
Afternoon
16:00–16:30
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 3-5
Coach AJ · Mat 2
16:30–17:00
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 6-8
Coach AJ · Mat 2
17:00–18:00
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 9-14
Coaches Ben & AJ · Mats 1 & 2
Evening
18:30–19:30
BJJ Gi · Fundamentals
Coach Lyes · Mat 2
18:30–19:30
MMA · Beginners
Coach Jerey · Mat 1
19:30–20:30
Open Mat · Gi & No-Gi
Open to all · Mat 1
Apex BJJ
SaturdayToday
Morning
09:00–10:00
Kids BJJ Gi · Ages 7-16
Professor David · Mat 1
10:30–12:00
BJJ Gi · All Levels
Professor David · Mat 1
Afternoon
12:00–13:00
Comp Training · Open to All
Professor David · Mat 1, Blue Belt +
14:00–15:00
Muay Thai Kick Boxing
Coach Lewis · Mat 1
Apex BJJ
SundayToday
Morning
08:45–09:45
BJJ No-Gi · Fundamentals
Coach Joao · Mat 2
10:00–11:00
BJJ Gi · Fundamentals
Coach Joao · Mat 2
10:00–11:00
BJJ Gi · Women Only
Coach Lois · Mat 1
Afternoon
11:00–13:00
Open Mat · Gi & No-Gi
Open to all · Mat 2
13:00–14:00
Kids Muay Thai
Coach Jerey · Mat 1
14:00–15:00
Muay Thai Kick Boxing
Coach Jerey · Mat 1
GiNo-GiKidsMuay ThaiMMAComp TrainingOpen Mat · Gi & No-GiDrilling
"If you're looking for a place to train in North London, honestly, look no further. I've dropped into a fair few gyms over the years, but Apex BJJ in Finsbury Park is easily the best."
— Mustafa Batuhan Albaş · Google
★★★★★
"Whether you have already started your Brazilian jiu-jitsu journey or you are looking to start with zero martial arts experience — from day one you will be welcomed into a great atmosphere."
— Layth Craft · Google
★★★★★
"Our sincere thanks to the fantastic team at Apex Jiu-Jitsu for their invaluable support of our Safeguarding campaign. Their commitment, reliability and specialist knowledge have had a significant positive impact."
— School Awareness · Google
The Apex team — every one of them started as a beginnerOne academy, every age — kids from 3, adults to any ageThe Apex family
Your first class is free.
No kit, no experience, no pressure. Book a trial, borrow a gi, and see why Apex is home to some of London's best grapplers.
Professor David, 1st degree black belt, founded Apex Jiu-Jitsu in 2020 with a simple idea: a world-class training environment in the heart of Finsbury Park, where complete beginners and elite competitors share the same mats.
He received his black belt in 2022, and as a World and European black belt medalist he hasn't slowed down since — competing internationally on the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro circuit, where he has ranked #1 in the UK, with appearances at the Abu Dhabi World Pro and the Grand Slam in Rio de Janeiro.
On the mats he's known as a Lapel Guard innovator — a signature of how Apex plays and teaches jiu-jitsu. But ask David what he's proudest of and he won't point to his own medals. Apex has produced athletes competing at the very top of the sport — including Owen Jones, an ADCC World Championship semi-finalist who placed top four in the world at the 2024 ADCC World Championships, grappling's most prestigious event, having started his journey on these mats.
David's coaching style is the reason people stay: patient, technical, and genuinely invested in every student — whether you're preparing for a world championship or surviving your first warm-up.
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and accomplished competitor across BJJ, No-Gi and Judo, Professor Jack brings a wealth of grappling experience to Apex. He started in judo before switching to Jiu-Jitsu in Scotland, competing regularly and medalling across the local circuit — Grappling Industries, All Stars and AJP events. He moved to London as a brown belt and spent years deep in no-gi, earning his black belt at Apex. A proven competitor and gifted instructor, he now leads our No-Gi programme as Head No-Gi Coach.
A brown belt under Professor David, Lois is a 2× IBJJF European Champion and multiple World & European medallist, with 12 years on the mats and 5 years coaching. She leads Apex's women-only classes and coaches kids and adults alike, and she makes Jiu-Jitsu easy to understand — helping everyone from complete beginners to seasoned competitors build confidence and improve.
Originally from Brazil, João Paulo is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt and coach at Apex Jiu-Jitsu. He's committed to creating a positive learning environment where students of every level can sharpen their technique, build confidence, and genuinely enjoy the sport — whether they're chasing their first stripe or just there to train hard and have fun.
Ben Mann is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, IBJJF medalist — Silver (Middle-Heavy) and Bronze (Absolute) at the London Spring Open, plus a medal at the Madrid Open — and dedicated Kids Coach at Apex Jiu-Jitsu, with over five years of experience teaching children. Training since his mid-teens, he brings both passion and discipline to every class — a positive, structured environment where kids build confidence, develop discipline, and enjoy learning, growing both on and off the mats.
Jerry
Muay Thai & MMA Coach
Jerry brings charisma and real passion to the striking side of Apex, coaching Muay Thai and MMA with a particular gift for working with children. As one of our dedicated kids' coaches, his patience, encouragement and easy way with young students help them build confidence, discipline and skill. He goes above and beyond for every student's development — a genuinely positive and inspiring presence in the gym.
Never trained before?
Your first class is free.
You don't need to be fit, flexible or experienced. You need to turn up. Here's exactly what happens.
01
Book online
Pick a beginner-friendly session and reserve your free trial in under a minute.
02
Just show up
Wear shorts and a t-shirt. We'll lend you a gi. Arrive 10 minutes early and say hi.
03
Train & roll
Warm-up, technique, and light drilling with people who were all beginners once too.
Common questions
Before you come
Do I need any experience?
None at all. Most people walk in having never grappled. Every class starts with fundamentals and you're paired with people who look after beginners.
What should I wear & bring?
Shorts and a t-shirt for your first session, plus a water bottle. We'll lend you a gi. After you join, we'll sort you out with your own kit.
Am I too old / unfit to start?
No. We train all ages and abilities — the mat sorts everyone out. Go at your own pace; nobody's forcing the intensity.
Is it safe? Will I get hurt?
BJJ is one of the safest contact sports because you train with control. Coaches supervise every session and beginners drill light.
Where are you & how do I get there?
1, 3 & 5 Morris Place, Clifton Terrace, London N4 3JG — two minutes from Finsbury Park station. Open in Google Maps →
No card needed
Book your free trial
Drop your details and we'll confirm your spot.
✓ Request sent — we'll confirm your spot shortly. In a hurry? Call 07385 811179.
Membership
Simple, unlimited, no surprises.
One membership, every mat class. Wrestling included. Cancel anytime with one month's notice.
