1. Hi Jamie, can you please introduce yourself to the BJJ Community of Eastern Europe? 

Hey my name is Jamie Hughes, im 22 years old and i’m a purple belt under pedro bessa and ive been training around 3 and half years, im from a small welsh valley town called abertillery and train out of celtic pride martial arts. My main titles include being the current British Open champion, 3x Welsh open champion and 3xHereford Open champion.

2. What’s your Jiu-Jitsu story?

I initially started Jiu Jitsu at 19 to help me get into MMA, as i was coming from a muay thai background, I wanted to sharpen up my ground skills, and immediately fell in love with everything about Jiu Jitsu, and it helped a lot in my MMA career helping me post a 9-2 amateur record. But jiu jitsu took over my life and I decided around 18 months ago that i wanted to train and compete strictly jiu jitsu and I think the decision has payed off and helped me have my best year of competition ever last year.

3. Please tell us about 15mins submission only superfight in March.

Yeh, it’s a pretty unique format and event for the UK, it’s at an event SUB15TEEN, a 15 fight strong card of some the UK and Irelands rising stars. I’m competing against very tough guy from RGA mill hill in London, an academy I have great respect for so I know I’m in for a tough match, but I think ill be taking home the submission victory.

4. You were recently selected to be a connection rio sponsored athlete to live and train in brazil for 3 months. When are you going and what do you expect to take away in terms of experience from the trip?

I’m heading over to Rio on at the end of June and returning at the beginning of October, I’m hoping to gain as much knowledge, experience and mat time as possible. The level of training there looks amazing so being able to be in that environment for 3 months will hopefully help improve my game so much. I’m also going to try and compete as much as possible during my stay and my big target is the IBJJF Rio International Open . Can I just say a huge thanks to Dennis Asche and Connection Rio for making it happen.

5. Please tell about your professor Pedro Bessa.

Pedro is my head instructor and a top competitor and coach, he has consistently fought at the top level against some of the world’s best and I have so much respect for his knowledge and ability. Pedro comes from the legendary TT team, and in Eduardo Telles and Fernando Terere he had two of the finest coaches to learn from, and I’m very lucky to be a part of that lineage and also myself to have been able to train with Telles and Terere.

6. Please tell us about your academy, Celtic Pride and the BJJ scene in Wales.

My academy Celtic Pride Martial Arts to headed by My BJJ instructor Greg Creel and Head Muay Thai coach Lee Stingemore, Greg and Lee have had a massive impact on my life and do everything possible to help me and support me, whether it’s from lifts to competitions and seminars or helping me out with extra training. Our team itself is based in my very small hometown but with our very dedicated members and high level of coaching, our team consistently excels in BJJ competition, Muay Thai and MMA. I think it goes to show a good work ethic and a good team of people can do anything.

7. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

In 5 years time , I would hope to be competing against the best guys in the world at the blackbelt level, it’s all I think about day in, day out. In general I want to be competing everywhere I can around the world, facing the toughest opposition possible and making the most of the life jiu jitsu can bring.

8. What is next for you and your team in 2013?

Our team is super busy with all the guys fighting and competing in many disciplines, myself I’m competing as much as possible before I head off to Brazil, and also trying to fund a trip to the world championships, so if anyone has any spare cash, send it my way please haha

9. If you want to thank somebody or sponsors, feel free

I would like to give a shout out to my coaches Pedro Bessa,Greg Creel, Lee Stingemore and Craig Ewers. My team Pedro Bessa BJJ, Celtic Pride Martial Arts . And my amazing Sponsors Tatami Fightwear, Connection Rio and Inner Strength Supplements. And a special mention To my dad, who is sadly no longer with us, but gives me the motivation each and every day to push to be the best I can be.

10. Thanks Jamie and all the best!

Thanks you!