Meet the Coaches

Founder of DNA MMA, DNA Gym and Head Coach - Dustin started training MMA at the age of 15 in Cambridge in 2009. His MMA is based on Muay Thai, BJJ, Freestyle Wrestling and Boxing. Dust is a No-Gi BJJ Brown belt under Lorenzo Fraquelli, a Roger Gracie Black Belt and owner of Wave BJJ - https://bjjwestlondon.com/

Dust started teaching Martial Arts to friends in February 2016 at his home gym in York. In December 2017 he began teaching properly by running a No-Gi BJJ class once a week at a local Leeds Gym called 'Horsforth Health and Fitness'. He also often covered the K1 classes there. In July 2018 Dust started teaching a weekly MMA Class at York Railway Institute, and DNA MMA Began! In May 2019, DNA MMA Moved to a studio inside of Ultraflex Gym York, and in the following October, Dust became a full-time Martial Arts Coach. In February 2024, Dust opened DNA Gym, a functional fitness Gym with DNA MMA Underneath!

Dust has a Diploma in Sports Coaching, a Diploma in Health Studies and a Diploma in Mental Health, as well as a Level 3 Personal Training qualification, and certifications in numerous Martial Arts fields such as: Martial Arts leadership, Self Defence, First Aid, BJJ, Capoeira, Muay Thai and Boxing. 

Dust also wrote his BA/Hons Dissertation on the Brazilian Art of Capoeira at York St john university. He runs the majority of the classes and is available for private coaching.

dust@dnamma.com

Loz has been training at DNA MMA since 2022 and competes in Mixed Martial Arts. 

He has competed in numerous charity bouts and also has an amateur record, securing a TKO Victory via ground and pound in his first fight at British Fighting Championship.

He is a No-Gi BJJ Blue Belt and is very proficient in Muay Thai and Kickboxing techniques. He teaches the weekly fundamentals classes and is a very friendly and welcoming presence in the gym.

 He is available for Private Coaching, for 1 to 1's and small groups!

 He is a perfect fit for any beginners looking to get into Martial Arts.

Loz@dnamma.com

Felix Specialises in Muay Thai, Boxing and conditioning. 

He started training in 2011, and has since trained in Germany, Spain, Hong Kong and the UK. 

He runs some of the morning classes here at DNA MMA, and is available for private coaching. 

1-1's and small groups of any ability level should get in touch with Felix!

felix@dnamma.com

Sensei Steve started training in Kyokushin at the Leicester Karate Kyokushinkai dojo in 1994. After leaving Leicester as a 2nd Kyu in 1997, he joined the Cambridge Shidokan dojo run by Sensei Don Clift. Steve was graded to 1st Kyu in Shidokan in 1998 before obtaining Shodan in London in 2001 under Shihan JJ Burnel. After leaving Cambridgehe began a Shidokan dojo in Macclesfield before moving to York in 2002 and establishing the York dojo. Steve was graded to Nidan in Japan in 2005, Sandan in London in 2007 and Yondan in Nice in 2014, all under Kancho Soeno.

Sensei Steve has competed in numerous Kyokushin and Shidokan Tournaments, including the following:

BKK – Crystal Palace | 1998, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006

Nice Open | 1998

Belgian Open | 2001

8th Nice Open | Nice 2002

World Cup | Annecy 2004

All Japan Open | Tokyo 2005

gym@dnamma.com

Matt 'Sprawlin' Paulin Started with DNA MMA in 2021, and took very naturally to all aspects of MMA. 

Matt is a Purple Belt in No-Gi BJJ and competes in Mixed Martial Arts. Matt is also very proficient in Freestyle Wrestling and Boxing, and now helps to run several group sessions.

 He got the nickname 'Sprawlin' due to his wrestling prowess, being extremely difficult to take down!

gym@dnamma.com

Slippery George first started Kick Boxing in 2015, and transitioned to Muay Thai and MMA when he joined DNA in 2019. Since achieving his Purple Belt in BJJ in November 2022, and winning many amateur & charity matches, George runs the daytime classes at DNA and is available for private coaching. He gets the nickname 'Slippery' because he's almost impossible to hold down, and his guard retention is phenomenal.

george@dnamma.com