“#1 Stay on top and break them.” – Nick “Quick” Honstein
Nick “Quick” Honstein captured the first EBI Combat Jiu-jitsu championship, and with a twister submission no less. The Jiu-Jitsu Times talked with Nick about his background.
Jiu-Jitsu Times: Let’s start with a little of your training background. Where is your home academy and your team? Have you been actively competing in the last few years? Any notable titles or wins?
Quick: I train at Lincoln BJJ on O street in Lincoln, Nebraska, under Greg Lawson. I’m also building the MMA program there. I retired from competitive MMA a couple years back, but I have fought in a couple of Fight To Win Pro contests. I submitted Vellore Caballero at 145 and lost a decision to Nick Marr at 155. I would love to take that Fight To Win title but I have to pick a weight first.
Today the real journey begins… I'm super excited, honored and in shock honestly to be graced with this promotion.
Posted by Nick Honstein on Saturday, June 4, 2016
Jiu-Jitsu Times: What interested you about the EBI Combat rules and format? Did your jiu-jitsu training change significantly to prepare for this tournament?
Quick: Eddie invented this style of Combat Jiu-Jitsu specifically for me, so I could finally win a world title. At least that what it feels like. I’m always that guy that doesn’t quite fit; the guy at wrestling practice trying to use submissions or fancy sweeps, the guy at jiu-jitsu that uses too much wrestling and pretends to punch from mount, the guy in boxing class that keeps clinching, and the guy at MMA sparring that makes every match a grapple. I didn’t have to change anything. The sport changed for me.
Jiu-Jitsu Times: What did you learn from your matches in the competition? Is the Combat Jiu-Jitsu ground much different than BJJ for MMA? Why did your jiu-jitsu game adapt so well to the EBI rules.
Quick: I learned mostly to watch what I eat after weigh-ins on the same day as the fight. I got really bloated for the first match and felt a couple steps behind. Other than that, it was business as usual. The game plan was simple and it worked.
1. Stay on top and break them.
2. If 1 doesn’t work, survive and win in overtime.
Jiu-jitsu Times: You won the final with a twister. What did Eddie Bravo say to you after the Twister submission?
Quick: Something about tower 7. I’m just kidding. I forget exactly what he said but he was proud. I was drunk with excitement.
I made a vow over 10 years ago to win a world title or die trying. Fortunately, Eddie Bravo invented a new sport just…
Posted by Nick Honstein on Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Jiu-Jitsu Times: As the inaugural and now defending champion, what are you next challenges?
Quick: I’m not sure what’s next exactly, but I’m hoping Eddie is looking for 15 challengers so I can make some money defending this thing.
Jiu-Jitsu Times: Any shoutouts to coaches, training partners, or sponsors.
Quick: Lincoln BJJ, Bad Boy, Bare Blends, The Groutsmith Nebraska, Willeke FinancialValor, 911,
Social media
Facebook Quick Nick Honstein
Twitter @NickHonstein
Instagram @quicknickhonstein
YouTube @quicknick
