A tribute to a friend, a teacher, and one of the true originals.
It’s hard to write this. Hard to find words that feel right, or even enough.
Today, my friend Oli Geddes passed away after a short but incredibly brave fight with cancer. He was just 40 years old. And even now, typing that out, it doesn’t feel real.
If you’ve been around the UK BJJ scene for any length of time, you already know the name. Oli was one of the most respected black belts to ever come out of the UK. A tireless competitor. An exceptional referee. A brilliant teacher. A generous training partner. A kind, dry-humoured, endlessly good human being.
He was one of those people who gave more to this community than almost anyone I’ve ever known, yet never asked for anything back. He just kept showing up. Match after match. Camp after camp. Year after year. Reffing, coaching, cornering, competing. He was the real deal and an absolute legend.
But for me, it’s even more personal than that.
Oli didn’t just influence my Jiu Jitsu. He helped shape it. My love for half guard and foot locks, that came from him. I still teach techniques today that I learned from Oli more than a decade ago, and I’ll carry those lessons with me for the rest of my life on the mats.
When I made the leap from medicine to teaching Jiu Jitsu full time, no one supported me more. He backed me at every stage, quietly, thoughtfully and without hesitation. The OGs at Kingston Jiu Jitsu still remember him from those early days. He helped us lay the foundations. His fingerprints are all over our history. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.
Over the past few weeks, I was lucky enough to spend time with him. Talk, laugh, remember, cry. He stayed Oli right to the very end, funny, thoughtful, and unflinchingly kind. He was surrounded by love: his incredible partner Nadine, his family, and a huge community of people who cared for him deeply.
He didn’t get the time he deserved. But he filled the time he had. That’s how I’ll remember him. Not for any one match or medal, but for the way he made people feel. For how much he gave. For the way he lived, and for the courage and grace with which he faced the end.
Rest in peace, Oli.
You changed my life. You changed a lot of lives. And I’ll keep teaching the things you taught me for as long as I step on the mat.
Thank you, my friend. You’ll always be part of this.
– Marc
6 comments
Beautifully written Marc
Marc..what a wonderful tribute and thank you for being there during his last week’s. We’ll all miss him dreadfully.
I first met Ollie when Nick Brooks opened the infamous Mill Hill BJJ club out of a dusty garage…in Mill Hill…he was a top human being…I remember an arm-bar escape he taught. Some people leave this plane of existence too early…maybe some stay too long…Ollie left too early…but he left a mark…for sure…👊🏼
Beautifully written indeed! My condolences Mark. I remember Oli from the early days at the Budokwai where both yourself and Oli would often make a guest appearance with Nick G. His half guard game was awesome and so was his character and that’s how I’ll remember him.
Such sad news. I trained with Oli back in the day at Roger Gracie Academy when it was on Kensal Road. He was exactly as you described him. A true gentleman. Humble and genuine. God rest his soul 🙏🏻