AN Ultimate Fighting heavyweight visited a combat academy in Southend and even stopped off for a Nandos.

Southend Combat Academy welcomed Gabriel Gonzaga, from America, to host a three-hour mixed martial arts seminar.

Brazilian Gabriel, who now lives and trains in America, is a former world Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion, Abu Dhabi Combat Club, world heavyweight submission wrestling champion and a UFC fighter.

The club, which runs a full time martial arts and fitness school in Grainger Road, was one of only a few nationwide to host a seminar with him.

Gym owners Simon Dempsey, 38, and Horia Radulescu, 40, took him for a bite at Nandos in London Road, Southend, and down to see Southend beach, before going back to the club for the seminar.

Mr Dempsey said: “The seminar went really well.

“He was very relaxed and friendly and showed some pretty cool stuff to help the fighters from our academy.

“He even found time at the end to spar with each of the members, including the younger ones.

“We quite often have fairly highprofile people visit the gym, but I think he’s the biggest name we have had to the gym so far.”

The club welcomes members from age four up to adults.