Callan Potter (MMA)
Callan Potter, Renegade’s new MMA coach, is no stranger to high level sport; having a long career in football, playing VFL and A grade V.A.F.A, while also representing Victoria twice in national competition. He has been into boxing and Muay Thai for many years now, while starting BJJ in 2006 at Darko Pavlovick’s Jiu-Jitsu academy in Sunbury.
Cal is a long time training partner of all the Renegade stalwarts, such as Lachlan and Roque Giles, Lindsay Sheehan, Jamie Murray and Drew Germaine – all either Pan Pacific or National BJJ champions in their own right. Giving you some idea of the calibre of grappler and MMA practitioner he trains with on a daily basis.
Cal himself has had a fruitful grappling career with success at the Pan Pacs, Vic and ADCC trials. He is also firing through the professional ranks in his MMA career, with lots more hard fights in the not too distant future – no doubt about to step it up to the major league promotions very, very soon.
Cal brings a friendly ferocity to his training, shows no fear in the face of adversity, and has a work ethic on the mats that is second to none. A natural born athlete and leader, it seems was Cal is the perfect person to teach MMA to the Renegade students. Highly approachable and always quick with a laugh – or a highly accurate Jean Claude Van Dam impression, Cal ticks all boxes when it comes to being part of the highly skilled and motivated Renegade team. His loyalty and dedication to the club is unmatched, while his future shines white hot. It is for these reasons we are proud to promote this young man from high level student to teacher – adding even more bang for your buck when it comes to training at Renegade MMA.
Ben Harvey (Muay Thai)
Ben started his striking training in England at age seven. A personal trainer and career in fitness now looms for Ben, as he now works and trains full time in the industry. Making his pro debut as a Thai Fighter in the very near future is also very high on his agenda–as is continuing his training trips to Thailand and fighting there too.
His goals at Renegade include helping his students in developing quality Muay Thai boxing technique, with a definite hands-on approach to coaching. The difference between Ben and many other coaches is that he will not only spar with you, but walk with you through every step of the way to the ring–possibly even fighting on the same card as you.
So whether you lay awake at night wanting to be a fighter, or simply love the stand up game and enjoy keeping fit, Ben Harvey is the man to get your ‘Art of Eight Limbs’ on point. Come and do a class with this hungry, yet friendly, young fighter as he brings enthusiasm, passion, integrity and an already extensive bag of tricks and experience to Renegade MMA’s coaching staff.
Grant Baseggio (Boxing)
Grant is the boxing coach at Renegade MMA. He comes with 10 years experience in the sport, starting boxing at the tender age of 14. He trains out of Maribyrnong Boxing Club, under the tutelage of well known boxing personality Ron ‘Jake’ Jacobson.
After years of boxing, Grant started holding pads for beginners and fighters training for boxing competition, as well as being a regular sparring partner for professional fighters too. He then took an interest in fitness and conditioning – running classes for both juniors and adults. He then took his skills to St Bernard’s Football Club (where he is currently a player), and holding pads and running fitness and conditioning drills for his team mates.
Grant believes in building good fundamentals in boxing, starting with foot work and straight punches. He is adamant about getting the basics right from the beginning, ensuring a strong foundation to build on, with all bad habits eradicated at the very start of any budding fighters career.
Grant comes with much experience in motivating a group class, and besides the self defense aspects of effective striking he aims to promote boxing as an excellent sport for fitness. He runs the classes at Renegade with no sparring or hard contact, encouraging all age groups of any skill level, male or female, to give it a go.
We at Renegade MMA are proud to have grant as part of the team, recognising that any MMA facility cannot consider itself credible if it does not have boxing on its timetable. Boxing has proven itself over and over again to be an integral part of the many-faceted, incredibly fast growing sport that is Mixed Martial Arts. So get in to do one of Grant’s classes as soon as you can, as he can teach you to hit, and then take your hands to the next level.
