Coach Peter Vela is an experienced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. He has competed twice at the renowned Boa Super 8. Pete is one of the most technical BJJ practitioners in the gym, works full time as a software engineer and his knowledge is valued by all of us on the mats! Read on to find out more about this absolute gentleman.
What would you consider your greatest achievements in Martial Arts?
Teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Absolute MMA / Competing in BOA Super 8.
What made you start Martial Arts?
Fitness and exercise.
How did you first get involved with Absolute MMA? (What industry were you in prior to Martial Arts? What made you change?)
I signed up as a student when we moved to live in the city.
Can you tell us about where you’re from and any interesting stories growing up? If you’re not originally from Melbourne, how’d you end up living in Melbourne, Australia?
I’m originally from the Philippines. My family immigrated because of the revolution and rising violence around the time the dictatorship got ousted.
What’s your favourite music genre and musicians?
My favourite music genre is hip-hop.
If you could go back in time to your first martial art class, what would be the advice you give to your past self?
I’d tell myself to start training younger.
“The most stylish and chilled black belt in the team. And has the skills to destroy giants. Petey is an absolute legend and his crab ride is also legendary. All I can say is One of these days Petey I will pass you, it is known!”- Apryl Eppinger
“Peter Vela is an absolute legend! The guy knows so much about jiu-jitsu and is always happy to share. A true friend and an asset to the team.”- Sean Le Gourrierec
“Pete is a very friendly, helpful staple of the absolute CBD location. He has a wealth of knowledge on jiu-jitsu, and is always down a rabbit hole of techniques and counters! Pete is one of the gems of Absolute MMA and is often found helping others with technique. I always have a laugh when I talk to Pete, and I’ve never heard him complain or really say anything negative! The gym temporarily lost one of its best resources while he was away because of his knee injury.”- Tim Baker
“His knowledge in jiujitsu is only rivalled by his awesome fashion sense. A true gentleman on and off the mats he is always open to answer questions after class about grappling and about life. A true asset of Absolute MMA who stores his knowledge in his majestic cauliflower ears.”- Kevin Lau
“Peter Vela is a kind, patient and very thoughtful teacher and friend, who will always take the time to help students out, even for people like Bailey Wang.”- Tina Trinh
“Peter is the man! He is a great teacher and was one of the first instructors I had at Absolute MMA. Despite the fact he wears gi pants in the squat rack, I still get a little excited every time I see him in the gym.”- Oliver Smith
“Peter is probably the best human being I ever met on my journey in BJJ. Technically he is great.” – Thiago Stefanutti
“Peter Vela has a juicy honeyhole.”- Richard Lattemagi