Neil Adams MBE is an English judoka who won numerous Olympic and World Championship medals in judo representing Great Britain. Adams was the first British male to win a World title, and the first British male to simultaneously hold a world title and a European title. Other achievements include a gold medal at the 1981 World Judo Championships in Maastricht, the Netherlands, plus silver medals in the 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympic Games and the 1983 Judo World Championships. Adams was also five-time European Champion. On 20 September 2008 he was promoted to 8th Dan at the age of 49. He is famous for his ground game (ne waza) and his arm lock (that won him the world championship).

Adams has released a new series of Judo instructional entitled ‘Essential Judo‘ which is a revolutionary & highly detailed way of teaching the art of Judo. 

BJJEE’s editor Guillaume (Gile) Huni interviewed Neil Adams, and they discussed various topics from how and why he started working specifically in his ground game, to injuries he’s had after 50 years of Judo training,  to what motivates the IJF to constantly change the rules of Judo.

Adams appreciates BJJ and the ground game, and he talked about how both Judo and BJJ are interlinked and have so much to learn from each other, but are only different because of rules:

In Judo for example, in the past, the rules determined for a long time that Newaza exchanges would only be allowed shorter periods of time to hunt, capture and complete a technique, which often was not nearly enough time, before standing the fighters up to continue the contest on the feet. This meant that more emphasis was concentrated on Tachiwaza (standing) techniques than on the ground. Therefore, the throwing skills became more prominent.
As BJJ ground fighting is allowed more time on the ground searching for the submission, it has evolved to be more technically involved on the ground. The way I see it, there is very little emphasis on technical ways to get them down to the ground. It’s more of a ‘get-the-down-at-all-costs- way of tranisition and I think Judo can help with that.
I can’t help but wonder if BJJ just readjusted their balance of top vs ground if we could help them become an even more technically sound sport. My thinking is maybe of a small rule adjustment in their matches in order to make a subtle change. Not being able to drag an opponent to the ground for example, but having to throw into a groundwork position could encourage more teaching and learning in throwing skills. These simple aspects could just help to adjust the balance of play in both BJJ and Judo. I’m only saying this as the sport starts standing up, just like Judo.

Adams also discussed BJJ’s goal of joining the Olympics in the near future, and what he feels needs to be done for that goal to become a reality. He came into contact with BJJ in the early 90’s when he was conducting a Judo seminar in the USA, and Royce Gracie and some of his brothers attended. Some media have made it sound like the Gracies challenged Adams (like they have been known to do), who was famous for word class ground game :

“A lot of the martial arts press have put our meeting out of context and made it seem like it was a challenge, and some even said that I arm locked Royce Gracie, when it was nothing like that. The Gracies were very respectful and came to attend the seminar. I didn’t do a randori (sparring/roll) with Royce. I suspect that they were looking for a potential opponent for a future fight, but that never happened. Maybe they looked at the situation and decided otherwise.”

Adams talked about training with Judo Olympian Ray Stevens (also BJJ black belt under Roger Gracie), and went over some injuries he’s had after 50+ years of Judo training and what caused them, what he was doing for strength and conditioning, how he views Judo players that transition to MMA.

On Ronda Rousey, Adams stated:

She kind of lost her way, with the way she was talking down about her opponents. Champions are usually humble and nice people.I believe that she’s a good person and has a good heart and that she will learn that.

Here is the full in depth interview: