Our Team
Marcus Collings
Owner, Head Coach, Personal Trainer
Marcus is the founder of SASSOM Fitness & MMA, he has built the business from the ground up.
After teaching Martial Arts and training Thai Boxing fighters, Marcus decided to learn more about the human body and how to train it better. He enrolled in a Personal Training Course at a local Brisbane college. Marcus started training some clients as a hobby and the word spread that there was a Personal Trainer with passion and experience, so his hobby turned into a PT business. Marcus then joined his PT Business and Martial Arts coaching together and opened his first gym in Woolloongabba.
Marcus started Martial Arts in 1991, and has continued to train and develop his skills and knowledge since then. After obtaining his Black Belt in Zen Do Kai he become the head coach at his local Martial Arts Club. This gave him a lot of experience in how to push people to their limit, helping them to achieve things that they themselves never thought possible. Marcus is a Coach in Muay Thai, BJJ and MMA, he has competed in Boxing, Muay Thai Boxing, MMA and has competed against the best, in the biggest BJJ competitions all over Australia.
Passion
Marcus believes the best thing about training people is seeing them do what they never believed they could do. To see the look on their face and the excitement that they have when they achieve their goals keeps Marcus coming back for more. Marcus developed an interest for rehabilitation after working with some of Brisbane’s best physiotherapists. Marcus now has the skills to train almost any client, with almost any injury, to assist them in getting back on track to achieve their goals.
Favourite quote
Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary.
~ Muhammad Ali
Interview by Benicio Murray – One More Round
Year commenced training
Muay Thai: 1991PT: 2002
MMA: 2010
BJJ: 2007
Current rank
Muay Thai: Kru
BJJ: 3rd-Degree Black Belt
Competition history
MAA: 0/1/0 Unfortunately I was too old for competition by the time I started MMA, but I did have a crack when I was almost 40-years old. The fight was for an Amateur Title it was a good come back fight, I had fun, but lost by a split decision.
Muay Thai: 3/2/0
Competition history best results
BJJ: 2014 Pan Pac’s – Black Belt Adult Gold Medal x 2 & Black Belt Masters Silver Medal x1, Bronze Medal x 1
Pan Pac’s 2011 Marcus Collings v Paul Stolyar Brown Belt 91-97Kg Gi: Watch video
Pan Pac’s 2009 Marcus Collings Highlights Purple Belt: watch video
Gold 91-97+kg NoGi
Silver Open Weight NoGi
Bronze Open Weight Gi
Silver Open Weight NoGi
Gold 97+ NoGi
Bronze Open Weight NoGi
Gold 91+ NoGi
Gold 97+ NoGi
Gold Open Weight NoGi
Gold Open Weight Gi
Gold Open Weight NoGi
Silver 91-97kg Gi
Gold 91-97kg NoGi
Gold Open Weight Gi
Gold Open Weight NoGi
Bronze 91-97kg NoGi
Silver 91-97 NoGi
Silver Open Weight NoGi
Bronze 91-97kg NoGi
Bronze Open Weight NoGi
Silver 91-97kg NoGi
Silver Open Weight NoGi
Gold Open Weight Gi
Silver 91-97kg NoGi
Gold Absolute Gi
Silver 97+kg NoGi
Silver Open Weight Gi
Silver Open Weight Gi
Silver 97+kg Gi
Silver Open Weight Gi
Gold Open Weight NoGi
Silver 97+ NoGo
Bronze Open Weight Gi
Alex Kitanov
I has been training since 2016 starting with Hapkido (a Korean martial art of striking, grappling and throwing for self defence) before quickly finding kickboxing (and shortly after Muay Thai) to cement his interest in striking. I started coaching striking fundamentals in 2021, teaching one-on-one clients for boxing and Muay Thai, then taking on boxing bootcamps, before working at UBX fitness boxing gym at Crows Nest where he could introduce a more technical approach for members interested in developing their skills. After moving to Brisbane from Sydney in 2023, I joined SASSOM with a passion to continue his own development as a fighter, student, and coach. I have enrolled in uni to continue my studies and to begin studying Clinical Exercise Physiology for a holistic approach to martial arts and personal training.
Passion
I strive to deliver guidance and empowerment to my clients in every session. I believe in reaching one’s fullest potential through disciplined training, becoming comfortable outside of one’s comfort zones, tenacity, and good humour in the face of adversity.
Favourite Quote
Difficulty is what wakes up the genius.
~ Nassim Taleb
Year Commenced Training
Muay Thai: 2017
PT: 2021
Alex Zanes
I was born in Moree, NSW, a small town in central New South Wales. In 2020, I moved to Brisbane from overseas. I initially started training in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) to stay fit during the off-season of other sports. However, my passion for MMA quickly grew, and I began to prioritise it over other sports. I have competed in multiple jiu-jitsu competitions, mainly in no-gi.
Passion
My passion lies in anything related to sports, particularly MMA, jiu-jitsu, wrestling or Muay Thai. I also love teaching and seeing students progress on their martial arts journey.
Favourite quote
Don’t count the days; make the days count.
~ Muhammad Ali
Year commenced training
I started training in 2022 at the age of 15 and currently a BJJ blue belt. I have been training in MMA, which includes BJJ and Muay Thai, for two years and wrestling specifically for a year and a half.
Competition history
My competition history includes a 6-0 record in no-gi and participation in 5v5 matches, both hosted in the gym and externally.
Competition history best results
My best result was in my latest BJJ competition, where I won all three of my matches by submission (3-0).
Max Mellor
I’m a 17 amateur mixed martial arts fighter. My journey into combat sports began with boxing in July 2022.
Since February 2023, I’ve also been training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, aiming to become a well-rounded fighter.
Originally from Melbourne, I’ve lived in, the UK, France and Kingscliff before settling in Brisbane. I dropped out of high school in year 10 to start working and am now pursuing an electrical apprenticeship.
In Muay Thai, I drew my debut fight and won my second bout by unanimous decision. Currently, I’m training hard for my first MMA fight, eager to bring my striking and grappling skills into the cage.
Passion
My passion is undoubtedly MMA. I’ve dedicated myself to training in various disciplines like boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai, and I’m committed to competing and improving as a fighter.
Despite my young age and the challenges of balancing work and training, I remain focused on my goal of excelling in MMA.
Favourite quote
It’s not a loss if it’s a lesson.
Year Commenced Training
2023
Current Rank
White belt (one stripe)
Competition History
Thai: 1W 0L 1D
Stephan VanLint
I’m a business owner, a dad and a pretend athlete, a professional creative who enjoys learning, teaching and being physically active. As CEO and founder of Quiz Meisters, my day-to-day can involve producing videos, murdering spreadsheets and dressing up as a pirate. I’ve been practicing martial arts for over two decades, but now predominantly trains Jiu Jitsu.
Passions
Trail running, Jiu Jitsu, surfing and making his son laugh.
Favorite Quote
I will always choose a lazy person to do a difficult job because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.
~Bill Gates
Year Commenced Training
• Karate (2003)
• BJJ (2011)
• MMA and Thai (2017).
Current Rank
Black Belt in BJJ (also Black Belt in Karate)
Competition History
Various local tournaments and competitions in karate and BJJ from 2003 to 2014.
Competition History/Best Result
I’ve had a few firsts and podium finishes, but TBH it’s been so long since I’ve competed that I couldn’t tell you where!
Blake Zanes
I was born in Australia and have played sport all throughout my life, including soccer, basketball, rugby and martial arts. My hobbies include playing sport, competing in martial arts, riding motorbikes.
Passion
My passion is training Martial arts. I enjoy training everyday and the process of getting better. I love being able to put my training to the test in competitions.
Favourite quote
I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.
Year commenced training
I started training BJJ in February of 2022 and soon after started Muay Thai and MMA.
Current rank
I am currently a Brazilian Juijitsu Blue belt.
Competition history
I have competed in several competitions including cage wrestling and Brazilian Juijitsu no-gi and gi.
Competition history best results
I have won gold in Lockdown by submission (cage wrestling) and Gold Coast championship by submission.
Kejia Bowman
I started BJJ a year before Melbourne lockdown. Trained 5-6 days a week and competed about 9 times in local gym competitions and some larger ones. From the first day of training, I fell in love with the sport. I was fortunate to meet some amazing people. My next goal is to compete in Muay Thai and teach others what I have learnt.
Passion
Teaching others and having fun.
Favorite Quote
Always give your all before you stop trying, otherwise you will always live with regret.
Year Commenced Training
Thai/BJJ/MMA: 2019
Thai: August 2022
Current Rank
Blue belt
Competition History
Numerous competitions at white belt (9), 3 in blue, 2 out of three golds
Competition History/Best Result
• Bronze at Panpacs 2019 (White Belt)
• 2 golds (Gi and no Gi) Grappling industries (Blue Belt)
Kejia Bowman
I started BJJ a year before Melbourne lockdown. Trained 5-6 days a week and competed about 9 times in local gym competitions and some larger ones. From the first day of training, I fell in love with the sport. I was fortunate to meet some amazing people. My next goal is to compete in Muay Thai and teach others what I have learnt.
Passion
Teaching others and having fun.
Favorite Quote
Always give your all before you stop trying, otherwise you will always live with regret.
Year Commenced Training
Thai/BJJ/MMA: 2019
Thai: August 2022
Current Rank
Blue belt
Competition History
Numerous competitions at white belt (9), 3 in blue, 2 out of three golds
Competition History/Best Result
Bronze at Panpacs 2019 (White Belt)
2 golds (Gi and no Gi) Grappling industries (Blue Belt)
Dean Ireland
I found BJJ through my kids, starting my journey on a Father’s Day. The start lacked coordination. I like to think over the years of consistently showing up, I have learned how to hide the lack of coordination by developing patience and the ability to breath when under attack.
Passion
Helping those around me be better
Favourite Quote
I’m just a white belt that never gave up
~ Jean Jacques Machado
Year Commenced Training
BJJ – When I started at Sassom…2014
Current Rank
Black Belt
Competition History
• QBJJC Championships
• Gold in Gi at White belt
• Bronze in NoGi at White belt
• Bronze in Gi at Brown Belt
Carl Montgomery
Has a passion for Brazilian Ju Jitsu & fighting arts in general. Respects old school & modern-day Ju Jitsu. Loves teaching and helping the progression of the Sassom team. Enjoys the discovery of his own style and helping others find theirs. Great believer in self-exploration.
Favorite quote
Shit Happens
Year Commenced Training
Ju Jitsu 2013
Current Rank
1st degree blackbelt
Competition History
• Competed regularly at white and blue belt Gi
• No Gi in weighted and open weight divisions
• Success with gold, silver and bronze at various comps