Forged

Matt MacGuire, the Founder and Head Instructor of Sabre Grappling, has a lifelong passion for martial arts that has shaped his journey as both a competitor and a coach. His path into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling has been marked by resilience, dedication, and a drive to create a community of like-minded athletes striving for excellence.

Matt’s martial arts journey began at a young age when he was first introduced to traditional martial arts disciplines. Like many young men from humble origins in Stevenage, he started out boxing under the direction of his grandfather, whom he idolised dearly. In his teenage years, Matt began kickboxing, gaining a solid foundation in discipline, technique, and combat strategy, even winning a selection of kickboxing bouts and titles. However, it was not until his early twenties that Matt discovered the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and submission grappling—a turning point that would define his career.

The transition to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu felt natural for Matt, as he immediately connected with the technical, fluid, and dynamic aspects of the sport. He began his BJJ training with intense focus, quickly progressing through the ranks under the guidance of numerous respected instructors. Grappling became an obsession, and Matt devoted himself to the study and practice of submissions, positional control, and the intricacies of ground fighting.

As he honed his skills, Matt’s competitive drive saw him take on some of the toughest grapplers in the country and beyond. His career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and as a grappler has been marked by a relentless pursuit of improvement, competing at every level. Over the years, he earned a reputation for his technical prowess, mental toughness, and sportsmanship. Grappling not only tested him physically but also shaped his philosophy as a martial artist, emphasising perseverance, adaptability, dominance, and continuous learning.

After years of competing and training, Matt felt the calling to pass on his knowledge and create something of his own. Finally, in 2022, the idea of Sabre Grappling was born.

As Matt progressed through his grappling career—similarly to the late martial arts icon Bruce Lee (whose own art, Jeet Kune Do, Matt also holds a black belt in)—he began to feel a growing disillusionment and frustration with certain aspects of the sport, particularly the prevalence of techniques such as guard pulling and butt scooting being heavily marketed as effective fighting strategies. To Matt, these fanciful and often unrealistic components of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu strayed too far from the practical roots of grappling as a combat art. While acknowledging their value in a sport-specific context, he believed they created a false sense of security when presented as viable for real-world self-defence or mixed martial arts. This disillusionment with the over-commercialisation of such tactics only strengthened Matt’s resolve to build Sabre Grappling on a foundation of practical, combat-tested techniques. His approach focuses on effectiveness in real situations, with an emphasis on positional control, takedowns, and submissions that work both in competition and in real-world scenarios.

Drawing on his years of experience, Matt set out to create a grappling club that would foster the next generation of grapplers. Sabre Grappling was built on the principles of high-quality instruction, technical mastery, and a strong sense of community. Matt wanted to create a space where students could train hard, learn from one another, and push themselves to new heights—whether they were looking to compete at the highest levels or simply improve their skills and fitness.

Sabre Grappling quickly grew into a thriving community, known for its diverse environment and strong technical foundation. Under Matt’s leadership, Sabre athletes have excelled in competitions and developed a deep passion for the art of grappling. Matt’s philosophy as an instructor focuses on precision, adaptability, and building confidence on and off the mats, ensuring that each student progresses according to their individual goals and abilities.

Today, Matt MacGuire continues to lead Sabre Grappling with the same passion that drove him to succeed as a competitor. His journey from a young martial artist to a respected grappler and coach is a testament to the power of dedication, and the legacy he is building at Sabre is one of excellence, growth, and community.

Sabre Grappling is not just a club—it is the culmination of Matt’s life in martial arts and his commitment to helping others forge their own paths in the world of grappling.