When it comes to grappling excellence at CIT Performance Institute, one name stands above the rest: Coach Niel Geyser.
Niel is the Head Grappling Coach for Team CIT MMA and the man responsible for overseeing the grappling strategy of South Africa’s biggest combat sports success story — UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis. Whether it’s shaping high-level game plans or refining the smallest details on the ground, Niel is the architect behind the grappling system that fuels some of Africa’s most elite fighters.
With more than 20 years of experience, Niel has developed a rare coaching style that blends technical mastery with mental performance training. He has the unique ability to break down complex concepts, simplify them, and turn them into clear, actionable strategies — whether he’s coaching a UFC contender or a complete beginner stepping onto the mats for the first time.
Niel’s résumé speaks for itself:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 3rd Degree Black Belt
Judo Black Belt
Former South African Judo Champion (2011)
African World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Champion (2013)
Bronze Medalist at the World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Abu Dhabi (2013)
But Niel is not just a decorated athlete — he is a world-class coach and an internationally recognised grappling strategist. He has coached and cornered multiple MMA world champions, including fighters in the UFC and EFC, and has been instrumental in developing the careers of 7 individual world-champion MMA fighters.
Outside the cage, Niel has built a successful career in performance coaching. He has owned fitness facilities, created a strength and conditioning app, patented gym equipment, and continues to consult with athletes and clients around the world. He believes in training smart before training hard, simplifying movement, and prioritising longevity and effectiveness in high-performance environments.
At CIT, Niel brings all of this experience to the mats — creating an environment where fighters and members can grow, learn, and excel.
From UFC champions to first-day beginners, the mission is the same, to develop world-class grappling skills through clarity, consistency, and proven principles.
Under Coach Niel Geyser, grappling isn’t just a discipline,
it’s a science, an art, and a pathway to greatness.