Paul Nicholl – Savage Garage Fight Team Interview
What first got you into martial arts? How long have been training?
Which martial arts taken part in before doing Jui Jitsu Grappling?
Shotokan Karate and Tae kwon Do!
What or who inspired you to train in the art of Jui Jitsu?
I saw the UFC in 1995 and was obsessed from that moment, so like sooo many people Royce Gracie really!
As a no-Gi-Grappler do you still have belts for grading?
No I’ve done the belt thing before and to be honest it’s no guarantee of quality!
Did you previously learn wearing a Gi?
Yes I loved donning the white armour and may well indulge again someday, especially if a student of mine wants to compete in gi competitions, but for now it’s no-gi all the way!
Do you think there is a difference between combat sports and self defence on the streets? As a coach do you teach both?
Hell yeah anything that you see banned in competition you should use to defend yourself in the street, as they’re banned because of the amount of damage they can cause, of course you have to weigh up the situation yourself and be responsible for whatever you do to the person your facing, if it’s a situation where you could walk away but you fight then I think you’re probably going to pay for it somehow and not in a good way!
I have done and I make sure my students understand that sport MMA isn’t total street defence but can be useful in it!
Can you tell us about your club – Savage Garage and how it came about? Cool name and logo by the way Paul.
Why thank you sir:-) Lol it’s fairly simple in that it originated in a garage and savage rhymed and fit nicely, to be honest it’s an ever so slightly tongue in cheek name, we’re of the Kazushi Sakuraba attitude where we take it seriously but with an element of humour, there’s sooo much macho B.S that goes on in the martial arts and I try to stay away from it as best I can however let me reiterate we train seriously and we do our best to win anything we compete in!
I hear your club is a hosting a Ryan Hall BJJ Seminar. What can the seminar attendees expect on the day?
Oh yeah I am soooo jazzed up for this seminar, the guy is phenomenal both in teaching and competing (and a great guy as well!!) expect your understanding of even basic techniques to be boosted to higher levels, there are very rare guys out there who know things the average guy doesn’t and can communicate them, Ryan Hall is one of those guys, we’re very lucky to have him here in the South of England! Still spaces left 
…email or phone me for details: nicholl_paul25@hotmail.com - 07906 151411
Are you a fan of the UFC and do you have a favourite fighter?
I love the UFC, my fave old time fighter is Marco Ruas, he was the first complete guy I think, he is also the only guy to make me wet myself….he choked me unconscious at a seminar back in 1997. I was in my don’t tap whatever phase back then and my bladder paid the price lol!
Nowadays I love GSP, Carlos Condit, Lyoto Machida, Maurilo Rua!
What other interests do you have outside of martial arts?
Helping my kids grow up with any vital info about life I think I missed out on when I was a kid! Studying Scientology, it’s been an incredible help to me in EVERY area of my life!
What’s your current favourite song?
Not sure about any current one’s I’m a classic rock fan, you can’t go wrong with AC/DC!!
Do you have any websites you would like to share?
No, it’s a disgrace I know but currently apart from my Facebook page we don’t have a website yet!! 
Feel free to friend up!
- Savage Garage Fight Team host Ryan Hall Submission Grappling Seminar, Wednesday October 12, 19.30-22.00, St Mary’s Sports Hall, Southampton, Hampshire.
