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1. You just won the Europeans No-Gi with all submissions. Can you talk about that experience and what winning that title meant to you?

It was a great competition for me having only recently returned to IBJJF tournaments.

The depth of the division wasn’t brilliant but it was stacked with the best of Europe. Coming away with my second European title was a great feeling.

2. Your submission game is very diverse as you often finish matches with both leg locks and upper body submissions. Can you talk about the importance you place on being a well rounded jiu-jitsu athlete?

My submission rate was fairly low earlier in my career and I put massive emphasis on position. I believe feeling confident everywhere has allowed me to diversify my submission game. I definitely believe it’s more important now than ever to have a strong overall game and not to just specialize.

3. You’ve stayed very active as a competitor. Is more competition experience something you place importance on when you’re approaching a major tournament like the Worlds No-Gi?

To be honest I became way more active after having what I felt like was a disappointing performance at my last competition. I was looking at a chance to redeem myself. European and World Champion should help soften the blow.

4. This year’s featherweight division is stacked. Gianni Grippo, Adam Benayoun, Daniel Maira, Gavin Corbe, and many others are in the division. What are you overall thoughts on the division and is there anyone in particular whose style you enjoy and who you’d like to face?

It’s a very stacked division with plenty of new talent. Stylistically I believe I match up well with most of them. I would love to get a match with Gianni as he’s someone I’ve watched myself when I hadn’t won anything.

5. The European jiu-jitsu scene is growing and evolving every year. Can you talk about the growth of the scene and how it’s changed since you started training?

The European jiu-jitsu scene is so massively under rated. It has such amazing talent but doesn’t get covered as well as our American counter parts. It’s only a matter of time until more Europeans hit the top of major podiums.

6. Can you describe your training routine to prepare for Worlds No-Gi?

We changed our entire structure to try and create a more progress oriented training environment. My team Draig, led by coach Josh Williams, have been primarily using a training method called active drilling. I have also dropped my sparring quantity and increased my lifting.

7. Do you have any other thoughts you wanted to share?

Massive shout out to my team Draig and Tatami Fight-Wear who are massively supportive in my goals. I am excited to be on the World Championship mats and hope I can perform well.