Shane Curtis

Shane Curtis competes under the nickname "The Gothlord" — a moniker inseparable from his identity on the UK Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu circuit. Far from a simple branding exercise, the name reflects a genuinely distinct persona that has made Curtis one of the most recognisable and beloved figures in British grappling. He trains and competes out of Nottingham MMA, representing the Nottingham grappling community at the highest levels of domestic and professional competition.

A BJJ black belt, Curtis combines serious technical depth with an unconventional competitive approach that sets him apart from more traditionally styled athletes. His standing on the UK circuit is defined by this duality: an outward persona and grappling aesthetic that are unmistakably individual, underpinned by credentials earned through years of dedicated training and high-level competition.

At the heart of Curtis's technical identity sits his signature submission — "the Goth Lock" — a technique so closely associated with him that it bears his name. The submission has featured in instructional tutorial content, extending Curtis's reach within the broader BJJ community and establishing the Goth Lock as a recognised entry in the sport's ever-expanding vocabulary of unorthodox techniques.

The development and refinement of an original, branded submission speaks directly to Curtis's broader grappling philosophy: creative, individualistic, and resistant to convention. His style is built on unorthodox sequences and entries that consistently catch opponents off guard, and it is this commitment to a personalised game that has earned him a dedicated following among UK BJJ fans. The Goth Lock is more than a single submission — it is the clearest expression of a grappling identity rooted in originality and personal expression.

Shane Curtis has built one of the most comprehensive professional competition records among UK-based grapplers. A veteran of Polaris Pro Grappling, he has made multiple appearances on one of the United Kingdom's premier professional submission wrestling platforms. His experience at Grapplefest, another high-profile UK professional event, further cements his status as an accomplished and familiar presence on the domestic pro circuit.

ADCC Championship and National Recognition

Beyond the professional event scene, Curtis holds the title of UK ADCC champion — a significant accomplishment in submission wrestling that places him among the more decorated British grapplers of his era. The ADCC ruleset, with its emphasis on submission hunting and aggressive engagement, suits Curtis's style particularly well, and the championship stands as a meaningful validation of his technical and competitive development.

His profile received further national exposure through a feature on JitsCast, a prominent BJJ podcast, where his reputation as an unorthodox Polaris veteran was highlighted for a wide audience. Together, his Polaris appearances, Grapplefest veteran status, and ADCC championship establish Curtis as a genuinely accomplished British grappler whose career extends well beyond regional competition.