APEX MMA: About Us
The Apex MMA Story
APEX MMA COACHING TEAM
A Northern Beaches Martial Arts Academy
Apex MMA was established in Brookvale in 2022 by Sonny Brown, Nick Pudney and Chad Lumley. The academy carries forward a Northern Beaches martial arts lineage that began nearly three decades earlier. Our coaches developed in an environment where martial arts were studied both as complete individual disciplines and as parts of an integrated fighting system.
That history continues to shape how we train today. Muay Thai is taught as a complete striking and clinching art. Jiu-Jitsu is taught as a complete wrestling and grappling art. Mixed Martial Arts connects all four ranges into the Art of Adaptability.
You do not need to become a fighter to train at Apex. Many members train for fitness, confidence, self-defence, technical development, personal challenge or the enjoyment of practising a martial art. Competition is available for those who choose it. It is never compulsory.
Meet the Apex MMA Coaches
NICK PUDNEY
Nick Pudney has more than 20 years of experience in training, coaching and competition across Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts.
He is a 3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and has competed in Thai boxing, No-Gi grappling and MMA.
Nick coaches adults, kids and teens across multiple Apex programs.
He has also delivered martial arts programs through local schools and organisations, including classes for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
His approach reflects the belief that martial arts should be available to people with different goals, backgrounds and abilities.
READ ABOUT NICK PUDNEY
SONNY BROWN
Sonny Brown began martial arts training on the Northern Beaches in 2007.
He trained in Shootfighting, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling under Anthony Lange before competing professionally in MMA.
Sonny became a three-time Australian MMA Champion and earned his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt in 2017.
He holds a Bachelor of Education in Health and Physical Education and is an accredited Level 1 Folkstyle Wrestling coach with The Wrestling Foundation.
Sonny also hosts The Sonny Brown Breakdown podcast, exploring martial arts training, coaching, health and education.
He leads Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, MMA and competition training at Apex.
READ ABOUT SONNY BROWN
CHAD LUMLEY
Chad Lumley began martial arts training in 1986.
His background includes Taekwondo, Freestyle Karate, Kickboxing, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Chad has competed across traditional martial arts, kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu and has coached athletes in Muay Thai, boxing and MMA.
He coached and cornered Sonny Brown and Nick Pudney during their competitive careers.
Chad leads striking development, technical sparring and Fight Team preparation at Apex.
His coaching style combines deep technical knowledge with a calm and supportive approach.
READ ABOUT CHAD LUMLEY
Experience Across Multiple Arts
Apex’s coaches come from a multidisciplinary MMA background.
That does not mean the individual arts are treated as secondary.
The academy maintains complete standalone Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu pathways alongside the integrated MMA system.
Our coaches and students regularly test their skills in specialised Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, kickboxing and MMA competition.
This provides a clear standard for whether the techniques and coaching methods used in class remain effective.
A Community for Different Goals
Apex members include:
- Complete beginners
- Recreational martial artists
- Parents and children
- Experienced competitors
- Amateur fighters
- Professional athletes
- People training for fitness
- People developing self-defence skills
- Students returning after time away
- Visitors from other academies
Everyone may have a different reason for training.
The shared responsibility is to practise safely, respect training partners and contribute to an environment where other people can improve.
Competition and the Fight Team
Competition has always played an important role in the history of Apex.
It provides a way to test skills, identify weaknesses and prove that training methods work under pressure.
However, competition is not the purpose of every member’s training.
Students who choose to compete can access structured development across Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and MMA.
Fight Team preparation may include:
- Technical development
- Tactical planning
- Strength and conditioning
- Technical sparring
- Competition-specific rounds
- Cornering and event support
- Recovery and weight-management guidance
Students are expected to demonstrate consistency, responsibility and respect for their teammates before entering competition preparation.
The Apex MMA Facility
Apex MMA is located at:
Level 1, 28 Cross Street
Brookvale NSW 2100
The academy includes a large training area for striking, wrestling and grappling, along with training equipment and member facilities.
We are located close to Warringah Mall and within walking distance of the B-Line bus stop.
Parking is available at Warringah Mall, with additional street parking on Cross Street and Old Pittwater Road.
THE APEX MMA STORY
HISTORY OF APEX
Apex MMA’s roots reach back to 1994 when pioneer Anthony Lange opened Sydney’s first MMA and BJJ academy in a Manly school hall. Trained under John B Will of the famed “Dirty Dozen”, Lange embraced Will’s cross‑training ethos and hybrid Shoot fighting system, later coaching Australia’s first UFC winner.
Among his students were Sonny Brown, Nick Pudney and Chad Lumley: Sonny became a three‑time national MMA champion and BJJ black belt, Nick earned his BJJ black belt and competed in MMA. Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu, while Chad both competed and coached, cornering Sonny, Nick and their teammates to victories.
After nearly three decades, Lange retired in 2022; Sonny, Nick and Chad launched Apex MMA to carry forward an inclusive, multi‑disciplinary legacy, pushing students to grow and realise their potential.
READ THE HISTORY OF APEX MMA
APEX MMA
The Art Of APEX MMA
Decades of high-level mixed martial arts competitions have proven that four ranges are needed to succeed in a hand-to-hand combat situation: striking, clinching, wrestling, and grappling. Apex MMA teaches a martial arts system that incorporates the most effective techniques from Muay Thai for striking/clinching and Jiu-Jitsu for wrestling/grappling, creating a unified self-defence and combat sports system.
We offer three different types of classes:
Muay Thai classes incorporate striking, clinching and Muay Thai skills.
Jiu-Jitsu classes incorporate of wrestling, grappling and Jiu-Jitsu skills
MMA classes blend striking, clinching, wrestling and grappling skills.
The beginner classes of these three programs combine seamlessly to produce our total self-defence program, which covers all ranges of combat.
Our classes are divided by experience:
Beginner classes introduce you to the core concepts of art and help you build skills from no experience.
Intermediate classes expand on concepts and techniques, enhancing skill sets and promoting strategic application.
Advanced classes build on your foundations to accelerate your learning using our systematic teaching methods.
Our expertly designed programs are simple and sequential and teach effective self-defence and combat sports skills. No prior experience or fitness level is necessary to get started.
APEX MMA
COMMUNITY POLICIES
FOUR CORE VALUES
We show up with intent, stay focused on the task, and move forward together. Our culture is built on effort, accountability and honest training. We hold ourselves to the standard we expect from our team.
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FOUR TRAINING PRINCIPLES
Stay loose under pressure. Adjust to any challenges you face. Take control when the moment comes. Trust the long game. Four principles, one cycle, built into every class we run.
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ACADEMY ETIQUETTE
Be on time, listen closely, and train with purpose. Respect your coaches, your training partners, and the room. What we build works best when everyone plays their part.
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HYGIENE & CLEANING
Clean training gear and bodies help keep our mats safe and healthy for everyone. Good hygiene is part of showing respect to your training partners. It's simple, and it matters.
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CLASS PROGRESS
We offer clear pathways from beginner to advanced across all disciplines. If you show up consistently and apply yourself, you will grow. Ask questions, trust the process, and back yourself.
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MEMBERSHIP CHANGES
Life changes, and your membership can too. Whether it's a break, an upgrade or a cancellation, we’ve made it easy to manage. If you’re unsure about your options, speak with the team and we’ll help you sort it out.