Kemal Akagunduz
Kemal Akagunduz is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Lachlan Giles and a longtime coach within the Absolute MMA network. Over the past decade he has been one of the key figures involved in developing the Brazilian jiu-jitsu scene in Shanghai and mainland China.
After beginning his martial arts journey in Belarus in 2009 with Muay Thai, Kemal moved to Shanghai in 2012 where he discovered Brazilian jiu-jitsu and quickly immersed himself in the sport. He later founded Warzone Jiu-Jitsu Academy and went on to become the head coach of Absolute MMA Shanghai (now Method MMA), helping establish one of the most active grappling communities in the region.
Kemal received his black belt from Lachlan Giles in 2019 and has since continued competing, coaching and developing athletes internationally. Alongside his coaching career he has also worked as a grappling coach and training partner for UFC fighters Li Jingliang and Song Kenan.
In addition to his work as a coach, Kemal has also been active in professional grappling team competitions, serving as a captain and veteran of the AL Leone AIGA team.
Main Achievements:
- IBJJF Pan Pacific No-Gi Championship (2025) – Silver
- UFC Performance Institute Grappling Tournament Shanghai (2021) – Champion
- AJP Beijing International Pro (2021) – Gold
- AJP Shanghai International Pro (2020) – Gold
@kemalakagunduz
