Many people question the value of traditional martial arts with today’s growing sport of MMA overtaking the general interest in martial arts. But many of these fans do not realize that many of the top-level guys come from traditional martial arts training. Chuck Liddell has a background in Karate, as does George St Pierre. Randy Couture and Dan Henderson were wrestlers 100% before MMA. The Gracie’s train in a traditional manner with the Gi. Karo Parisyan has a strong Judo background. So it would seem there are more fighters around with traditional martial values than some people would like to admit! Neil Grove’s known, as ‘Goliath’ is a traditional martial arts fighter and Cage Rage Heavyweight contender. Let’s see what he has to say on traditional martial arts in the cage. 

MAI: You fight in MMA, but you have a traditional martial arts background. What attracted you to fighting in the cage?

Neil: I reached shodan in June of 2005, a year later I asked my Sensei, Gavin Mulholland, if he would mind if I tested all he had taught me in the dojo, in a cage fight? He was perfectly ok with it, although it wasn’t something he’d ask of any of his other students to participate in.

MAI: Do you think you traditional training as been part of your success?

Neil: Definitely! Anyone who has made a success so far in the mma world has come from some form of fighting discipline.

MAI: What part of traditional martial arts do you think ads to your success? Is it the mental discipline, training development/methods?

Neil: All of the above! It does however have a lot to do with who’s teaching and fellow practitioners! Sensei Gavin Mulholland and Sensei Dan Lewis from Bristol, our neighboring Goju Ryu club, have trained us to be respectful to one another, have humility, empathy and focus. Their grading is fair and tough, so one had to prove to oneself you are worthy of the grade, they already knew you could pass. The test was to see if you were mentally ready to take the next step. None of my gradings were easy!

MAI: Do you cross train now or do you stick to what you know best?

Neil: I cross train, although I concentrate on my strengths. I will never stop training in Goju Ryu! There’s so much more to learn and I’ve still got my nidan grading to come! It involves a 30-man kumite!

MAI: You have had a lot of success in the cage. The only loss was a fight where you won the first round very well.  It would be interesting to know your thoughts. What did you think about that fight?

Neil: I don’t like discussing this loss, as too many upstanding people in the mma world have told me at worst it was a draw!!! But it any case, I had too much respect for him, I had also just come off’ve a 2 week course of antibiotics, and in all honesty, never should’ve left it up to the judges to decide! I was expecting to raise my hand in victory at the end…

MAI: Every fighter says they learn a lot from a loss, what did you take from that?

Neil: Don’t ever let the judges determine the outcome! No disrespect to them, but I’m ‘new’ in the industry, there’s a lot of politics in this sport! Take for instance the kimbo/ Thompson fight? Gary Shaw of EliteXC promised me a tear up with kimbo, but eventually a karateka Ko’d him in 14seconds! They knew he’d get sparked by me, but they were trying to protect him! In this sport you make your own success, your own luck!  

MAI: You just come off a big win against Buzz Berry. What was that like for you?

Neil: Good, although his injuries from that fight made him retire. I’m sad for him, he was a true warrior and a gentleman, in and out of the cage, and will be missed by fellow fighters and fans!

MAI: Do you worry about injuries?

Neil: No, even before I competed in MMA, I had injuries! I trained 3 times per week with Sensei Gavin. There was always a grading, competition, seminar or something coming up, and with most of them you go in with injuries. It’s how you cope with them, I’ve fought at Cage Rage with broken toes, cracked ribs and Meta tarsal! 

MAI: You are all set for a title shot. Do you have special plans for your training?

Neil: Train hard, fight hard! Fight easy too! He’s a great kick boxer, I have a lot to offer, stand up or ground game. I’m training for this one and will have no excuses for the outcome!

MAI: You’re a big guy Neil; need I ask how you got the name Goliath?

Neil: My mother-in-law! We were thinking of something that would go with my persona, size, surname, etc. Rosalin Barker is to blame!!!  

MAI: You have been a coach on ‘Fighting Hurts’ on Nuts TV. Tell us more about the show and your roll on it.

Neil: I was chosen to be a judge on a panel of three, Dave O’Donnell and Grant Waterman. It was such a buzz! They were amazing to work with! Both very funny! Dave O’Donnell more so once the camera was on him, although people who don’t know him, will be surprised of how ‘normal’ he can be off camera!!! Ha!
But grant, well… he’s the same crazy guy on and off the camera! I’ve been helping out with the coaching at the different training camps we went to. Although not much was shown, I got stuck in there! I think the sweaty armpits and wet face might have persuaded the editors to cut me out for that reason!!! Ha!

MAI: Has your goals changed with your success?

Neil: No, I don’t see me as a success yet! Once I have that title around my waist, will I feel as if I’ve just started a success story! I would like to defend that title for as long as possible! Maybe fight over seas for Great Britton! Attempt my Nidan before I’m 40! Have another baby! My little boy Ethan Samuel Grove is the best thing that has ever happened to me! For his sake and my wife Emalene, have I now got more focussed to achieve all of them!

MAI: Good luck with your Title Fight!

Neil: thank you very much! It’s an honour to be a part of this amazing sport, MMA! And for people to acknowledge me as a part of the phenomenal growth in it’s popularity in this country, is very humbling and I want to thank everyone who supports me, and for those of you who don’t, I will try my upmost best to persuade you otherwise in the near future!

 

Alan Orr is a disciple of Robert Chu Sifu and the European representative of the Chu Sau Lei Wing Chun system.

Teacher of Tui Na Chinese Massage Therapy

He is also the UK representative for Guro Mark Wiley in the Filipino martial arts and Sensei Eddy Millis of Shark Tank in NHB/Grappling.

Web:
www.alanorr.com
www.thechinesemedicineacademy.co.uk
www.warriorfunctionaltraining.com

For further information Tel: 07958 908 196 or email: info@alanorr.co.uk