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About Strictly Fighters

Strictly Fighters started back in 2021 as a blog-based, online martial arts community. Founded by 3 best friends who shared a love for fighting, Shaun, Craig, and Jason were each embarking on their own journeys into different styles of martial arts at the time. They often found themselves talking and writing to each other about their experiences, sharing lessons, advice, tips, and a comical slew of laughs – so they decided to document it all on a blog and a podcast for everyone else to enjoy and benefit from too.

Fast forward to 2024, by which time Craig & Shaun’s little brother Tyronne had joined the team, when a chance meeting meant he ran into Boxing Coach Lunga and former boxer Olivia, both on their journeys to develop an elite boxing facility. While on their journey, Olivia and Lunga developed a friendship with Tyronne, bonding over martial arts and sharing their passion for combat sports. This led the team to decide to take Strictly Fighters from the digital universe into the physical world, partnering with Lunga & Olivia in opening a first-of-its-kind hybrid Boxing & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym down in Strand, Western Cape, South Africa, known as Strictly Fighters Inc.

Why does Strictly Fighters exist?


To inspire, enable, and empower martial artists in their journey to mastery. A challenger brand founded by fighters for fighters – consider us your self-defence bible, while our physical gym is a fighting gym designed to mould and produce world-class talent capable of competing on the world stage.

Meet the team

Get to know the Strictly Fighters team on our Podcast or keep reading.

Shaun Els - The Practitioner

I’m the Founder and Writer for Strictly Fighters, currently a BJJ Brown Belt which I earned under Cesar Lima (Grand Union – Formerly Roger Gracie Academy). I’m also the head BJJ coach at our Strictly Fighters Inc. gym in SA.

I was first introduced to Jiu-Jitsu while training Muay Thai in Thailand. I’ve always enjoyed striking arts, but once I discovered the ‘Gentle Art’ I was sold. Most of my free time is now spent on perfecting my art, looking at the intricacies of positions, techniques, and how we learn them.

After moving from Thailand to the UK, I was able to start training and competing more regularly and started expanding my knowledge on every aspect of Jiu-Jitsu that I could find.

I’ve worked my way through the stacks of books, instructionals, YouTube videos, and blog posts – If there is something about BJJ out there, I’ve probably looked into it. So on Strictly Fighters, I’ll be sharing all the topics that I explore, that I think you might be interested in reading about.

Craig Els - The Brawler

Hey! I’m Shaun’s brother, Co-Founding Contributor and Commercial Lead at Strictly Fighters. Sport has always been my passion and the driver to keep improving in every aspect of life. This has driven me to become a leader in the personal coaching and sales world.

Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to start training BJJ and combining my love of combat sports with driving commercial growth and bottom lines. Following the likes of AJ and Tyron Woodley reminds me of a simpler time in my youth when we would pop down to the pub for a messy brawl and congratulatory beer right after, so it’s fair to say as a brawler that I’ve been in my fair share of street fights.

I may not be an expert when it comes to fighting knowledge but I guarantee you I know what it feels like to have some bloody fists and missing teeth! I’m here to ask the hard questions (whether smart or stupid) and entertain in the process.

Tyronne Van Aarde - The Prodigy

I’m Co-Owner, wrestling coach, and gym manager at Strictly Fighters Inc. For the past 13 years, wrestling has been a huge part of my life. It’s a sport that has shaped me in so many ways, teaching me discipline, resilience, and the importance of hard work. I’ve had the honour of competing at a high level and am proud to be a 2-time South African silver medallist in wrestling.

In 2022, I decided to expand my horizons and dive into the world of Jiu-Jitsu. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m thrilled to have earned my blue belt under our head coach Shaun Els (who happens to be my older brother!). The transition from wrestling to Jiu-Jitsu has been challenging, but incredibly rewarding, allowing me to grow as an athlete and martial artist.

In addition to competing, I’m also passionate about coaching. As a WP level 3 wrestling coach, I love sharing my knowledge and experience with others, helping them develop their skills and achieve their own goals. Coaching is a way for me to give back to the sport that has given me so much.

My journey in combat sports is far from over, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next. Whether I’m on the mat training, competing, or coaching, I strive to push my limits and inspire others to do the same.

Olivia Jade Williams – The Executioner

I’m Co-Owner of the Strictly Fighters Inc. gym and a former Western Cape Boxer. As an avid sports lover, I started boxing in my first year of university. I competed for the University of the Western Cape between 2014-2018. During this time, I was a former USSA Champion in my weight division and received my provincial colours in boxing, which led me to competing in numerous parts of the country.

I’m a qualified referee and judge in boxing and remain active in the sport. In addition to my work as a Legal Advisor, and with my legal background, I assist in drafting and amending policies for the SANABO Western Cape Open Boxing Organisation. Further to this, I am the Public Officer for Khayelitsha Boxing Academy, which is an NPO advocating for education through sport.

Apart from remaining active in boxing, you’ll catch me doing our gym’s admin and binge-watching sci-fi series!

Lunga Nkentsha – The Striker

I’m Co-Owner at Strictly Fighters Inc. gym, head boxing coach, and avid lover of all-things-combat! I was a well-respected ‘slugger’ until I took up formal training that shaped me into a decorated elite boxer. I’m a 5-time Western Cape Gold medallist and South African National Championship contender. I’m also a USSA champion and defended my Gold medal in the 69kg division 3 years consecutively.

I had the privilege of being selected for the team that competed in an International tournament dubbed “The Clash of Titans” between South Africa and Ireland in 2016. Unfortunately, my hopes of turning professional were hindered by my brittle hands that forced me to hang up the gloves and put on my ‘trainer’ hat to impart the knowledge and skills I acquired during my tenure in the ring.

I’m also one of the trainers and managers for the Western Cape District and Provincial teams, and currently serve as the Chairperson of the Khayelitsha Boxing Academy where we combat social-ills and empower the community through sport and education.

I train several Provincial and National amateur Champions, as well as stellar professional fighters and international title prospects. As a lifelong student of the ‘fight game’, I consider myself a boxing historian and tend to enjoy debating about fighting, but be careful how you engage me; if I can’t beat you, I’ll beat you up!