Can you please introduce yourself to the Swedish grappling community?
My name is Nicolas Renier, I’m French and I practice and teach Luta Livre which is a ground fight without Gi. I’m 27 years old and I already have fought 3 times in ADCC and I’m going to fight this year in Beijing. I’m world champion, European champion and national champion in Grappling in the FILA federation.

When and how did you first came in contact with Grappling/Jiu-Jiutsu?
When I was 12 years old I wanted to learn a combat sport so I went to a gym and they introduced me to ground fighting. I tried and the teacher help me a lot during the lesson so I stayed. After 4 years I meet Flavio Santiago who stayed as my Luta Livre teacher during 10 years. Now I learn and work with Alexandre Pequeno and his brother Leonardo Nogueira. They gave me my black belt 2 years ago. Now I have my own team and gym where you can learn Luta Livre, BJJ with Mathias Jardin, Boxning and Capoeira.

You qualified to ADCC World Championship by winning the -66 kg weight class at ADCC European Championship 2013. Can you tell us about the matches that led you to the gold?
I had 4 fights. The first one was against Jordy Peute  and I won by points. My second fight was against a polish fighter and I win by finalization. The semi-final was against Gregor who already participated in ADCC and I won by points. The final I won against a friend of Gregor by finalization. I was there to win my qualification to the ADCC, nothing else.

What are your biggest competition achievements this far?
I’m very proud of a lot of competition results but I hope to be proud of the future results.

How has your last grappling year been like?
This last year, after my shoulders operations, wasn’t so good because a lot of thing change in my fighting life, new team, new gym, a lot of work to promote my team and gym, new teachers (Pequeno and Leozada) and I also changed my style. So my participation has been testing my new game. Now my game is ready for the new goal.

How are your preparations for ADCC 2013 going?
Very good! I feel so good and I’m very tired but I love that. I try to train as much as I can. 1 physical training per day and 2 Luta Livre training.

What is your thoughts of the competitor list in your weight class, any names you are missing?
There is only very good fighters. All competitors have already won a big tournament so you need to be prepared and hope to win the competition. I think there is a lot of names missing like Alexandre Pequeno who never lost a submission fight, some UFC fighters like Benson Henderson for the show or Frankie Edgard and for sure Marcelo Garcia who is a legend of this sport.

Who do you see yourself facing in the final?
I respect all fighters but I don’t care who will fight me. All fighter is very good but it would be an honor to fight against someone like Rafael Mendes or Cobrinha. Just have to wait and see.

Favorite submission?
The submission that my opponent give me:-)