OUR COACHING TEAM

Head coach at CHECKMAT ESSEX

SPENCER HEWITT

I’m now retired pro MMA fighter CFC Flyweight Champion, UCMMA Bantamweight Interim Champion and cage warriors and bellator and BAMMA fighter

My passion is now  coaching and managing at checkmat Essex Academy developing new fighters new talent in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA.

I am a third degree checkmat black belt

  • European no gi black belt champion 2022 & 2023.
  • American national no gi champion 2022
  • World no gi silver medallist 2022
  • Pan American no gi Gold/Champion 2025
  • London weight gi and no gi and open weight champion 2022
  • European masters silver medallist 2022.
  • ADCC European Middle East African Championships Masters Champion
  • Black belt under Ricardo Vieira
  • Competition at black belt Level  – BJJ
  • No GI Worlds Master 3 2019 – Bronze medallist
  • No gi European championship – bronze  medallist 2019
  • Grapple Industries – gold medallist  champion no gi advanced 2019
  • UAEJJF world championships 2019  – bronze medallist
  • Amsterdam gi open championship 2018  – gold medallist and absolute bronze medallist
  • British the National championship  2018 bronze medallist gi and no gi 

I have medal in all these major tournaments from Blue belt to black 

  • ibjjf European championships 2006, 2007 2008, 2009 
  • ibjjf  world’s 2007, world’s 2009, pan ams 2007
  • London fall 2017 no gi  and absolute British nationals 2018 GI and no Gi London fall 2018 
  • 3rd degree black belt

Sub Only Pro Fight Appearances

  • Polaris twice
  • Grapplefest
  • Pathan
  • Tuff 

Assistant Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach

Muhammed mustafa

I’m a submission grappler, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athlete, and black belt under Spencer Hewitt. I’m an active competitor internationally in both the GI and no GI. My passion is improving my Jiu-Jitsu skills by training, competing, and teaching or instructing.

Kids MMA coach

Andy Pay

I am a brown belt under Spencer Hewitt and run the kids MMA program at Checkmat Essex. I have a long background in the striking arts, particularly Muay Thai and have been privileged to be able to train and learn from leading practitioners of this art, I was also part of the early mixed martial arts scene in the UK.

My classes give students the ability to blend, striking and grappling together in a energetic, fun, but technical coaching environment, I always ensure that each child gets my time and that they are able to use what we teach in sparring and competition if they choose to. Teaching is a passion of mine and I enjoy seeing our students grow in confidence from learning martial arts, becoming more resilient through training and being part of the Checkmat Essex team.

Look forward to seeing you at a session.

state-of-the-art training

CHECKMAT Essex

Black belt instructor, Spencer Hewitt BJJ is now teaching and mentored under Ricardo Vieira also known as “Ricardinho” or “Rico” Vieira in the jiu jitsu world. He is a 9xWorld BJJ Champion (six times with IBJJF and three times with CBJJO) and one of the top grappling coaches in the world. Ricardo Vieira, together with his brother Leozinho Vieira lead the famous Checkmat academy.

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