Oliver Geddes
Roger Gracie black belt Oliver Geddes shared his half-guard game through competition, teaching, refereeing and support for ParaJiuJitsu.
Biography
Sources for this profile
BJJ Heroes, “Oliver Geddes,” accessed 8 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
The subject profile gives his full name as Oliver Leys Geddes, says he was known as Oli, and dates his birth to 29 August 1984 in London.
Where in the source: Oliver Geddes Jiu Jitsu — Full name and nickname; Biography — born in London on 29 August 1984
Accessed:
BJJ Heroes says Roger Gracie awarded Geddes every belt, culminating in his black belt in December 2011.
Where in the source: Biography — awarded all belts by Roger Gracie; black belt in December 2011
Accessed:
The profile describes Geddes as a coach at Roger Gracie Academy in London, a prolific European competitor, and a specialist in half guard and the loop choke.
Where in the source: Profile introduction; Favorite Position/Technique; Biography — coach and active competitor
Accessed:
Seymour Yang, “Meerkatsu interviews: Oliver Geddes — The Half Guard Wizard,” 16 April 2009; full interview restored 21 May 2025.(opens in a new tab)
In a 2009 interview, Geddes discussed how half guard became the defining part of his game and confirmed his practice of posting both wins and losses online for study.
Where in the source: Early interview exchange on his main position and published match videos.
Accessed:
Seymour Yang, “Oli Geddes (1984–2025),” Meerkatsu, 29 July 2025.(opens in a new tab)
Seymour Yang’s memorial reports that Geddes died in July 2025 and remembers him as a Roger Gracie black belt, teacher at Mill Hill BJJ, half-guard specialist, prolific competitor, referee and generous technical mentor.
Where in the source: Oli Geddes (1984–2025) — opening and paragraphs on Mill Hill, competition and refereeing
Accessed:
FBJJP, “Nota de Pesar – Oliver Geddes,” 30 July 2025.(opens in a new tab)
The Brazilian ParaJiuJitsu federation’s memorial says Geddes worked for more than a decade as an AJP and UAEJJF referee and advocated for ParaJiuJitsu athletes.
Where in the source: Nota de Pesar — paragraphs on refereeing and ParaJiuJitsu advocacy
Accessed:
John Davis, “Roger Gracie Calls for Solidarity After UK BJJ Legend Oliver Geddes Announces Likely Terminal Cancer Diagnosis,” BJJDOC, 31 May 2025.(opens in a new tab)
A May 2025 report documented the community’s Blue Stripe for Oli campaign and Ffion Davies’s account that Geddes had run seminars to help British athletes fund travel to the European championships.
Where in the source: Sections describing the solidarity campaign and Davies’s account of fundraising seminars
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