Nicolas Renier was a key figure in the development of grappling in Europe and has a successful career as an athlete, professor and entrepreneur. Nicolas leads NR Fight in Paris and has innovated the teaching of Luta Livre in France. A four-time ADCC champion and participant in six editions of the world’s biggest grappling event, Renier is now committed to passing on his knowledge to his students.
Nicolas turned the page when he made the transition from fighter to athlete and understood that it would be necessary to study and dedicate himself to achieving the same success as a gym leader. In an interview with VF Comunica, Nicolas listed the main differences between an athlete and a professor.
“Professor and athlete are different professions. The fighter also thinks about the group, but the focus is on his own career. On the other hand, a good professor thinks about the students, gives love and always aims for the best for the students. You have more chances of being a good professor if you’re a good athlete than a black belt who has never competed,” said the Frenchman.
Importance of methodology
Nicolas stressed that having your own methodology, seeking knowledge at all times and listening to the demands of your students are essential requirements for thriving as a professor.
“Sport is growing more and more and it’s no longer possible not to have a teaching methodology at school. It’s important to be inspired by other sports and other athletes who have succeeded. I always talk to my students to find out how they’re feeling and if they’ve understood the technique of the day. I also analyze how they are applying the position. It’s essential to test until it works and always improve the methodology because what works today may not work tomorrow. The biggest mistake professor make is trying to reproduce for their students the Jiu-Jitsu they’ve learned, instead of seeking evolution. The opposite isn’t correct either. Many try to reinvent themselves completely, I believe it’s better to be inspired by what’s working,” explained the black belt.
Preference for Luta Livre
Renier recalled how his passion for Luta Livre emerged while he was only training Jiu-Jitsu and why he chose to focus on grappling over the gi.
“I started in Jiu-Jitsu and got to know Luta Livre two years later. Jiu-Jitsu had only recently arrived in France and the techniques we were taught were repetitive and we weren’t evolving. When I met Luta Livre, through Professor Flavio Santiago, I liked it immediately and realized that I wanted to train that way. I chose Luta Livre and always believed in the growth of nogi. I already thought it was big, because the ADCC already existed but I never thought grappling was small, it was people who didn’t notice and I saw grappling evolve side by side with BJJ. At the time, the IBJJF World Championship wasn’t that big and the ADCC was doing well, except that the BJJ guys were the same ones who fought grappling,” recalled the professor.
Nicolas Renier is an exponent of grappling and has become a reference in team management and the training of champions. He mentioned some of the aspects that set him apart from other Luta Livre professors.
Rising of grappling
I always saw nogi as an opportunity, because not many people trained exclusively in nogi. Most trained in the gi and focused on grappling only when a competition was coming up. I knew there was this chance for me, because few people had good marketing in Luta Livre, while in Jiu-Jitsu I would be just another one. I feel very happy with what I’ve built so far.
Nicolas has become closer friends with members of the Melqui Galvão School and Diogo is one of his closest friends. The Frenchman highlighted how “Baby Shark” differs from other athletes in his category.
“Diogo doesn’t make mistakes, that’s the strongest point of his game. He studies a lot and his day is dedicated to winning. Training alone doesn’t work, he eats well, sleeps well, studies his opponents and always wants to learn. He’s a boy with a huge heart and I admire him as an athlete and as a person. Even when he doesn’t finish, he frustrate his opponents. Nobody can impose their game on him, and that impresses me,” concluded Renier.