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The BJJ Story
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Ross Nicholls

Ross Nicholls shifted to no-gi in 2017, won the 2018 ADCC European Trials, and now leads London Grapple as head coach.

Biography

Ross Nicholls is a London-born Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt whose career moved from gi and no-gi competition to a sustained focus on no-gi. Born in 1990, he grew up in Port Talbot in South Wales. Nicholls received his black belt from César Lima and Roger Gracie in 2014. After competing in both formats through the colored belts and his early years at black belt, he shifted his focus to no-gi in 2017. He won the ADCC European Trials the following year. He is now head coach at London Grapple while remaining active on the British and European no-gi circuits. London Grapple's own coach profile supplies the account of his black-belt promotion, change in competitive focus, and current coaching role.

Sources for this profile

  • London Grapple, Ross Nicholls - BJJ Gi & No Gi Head Coach, accessed 8 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • Ross Nicholls received his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in 2014 from César Lima and Roger Gracie.

      Where in the source: Ross Nicholls — Black Belt ... 2014

      Accessed:

    • Nicholls is the head coach at London Grapple and remains active on the British and European no-gi circuits.

      Where in the source: Page title and coach bio — Head Coach; remains active

      Accessed:

    • After competing in gi and no-gi through the coloured belts and early black-belt years, Nicholls shifted his focus to no-gi in 2017.

      Where in the source: Career section — concentrate on the no gi game

      Accessed:

  • BJJ Heroes, Ross Nicholls, accessed 8 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicholls won the 2018 ADCC European Trials.

      Where in the source: Achievements — ADCC European Trials (2018)

      Accessed:

    • Ross Nicholls was born in 1990 in London and grew up in Port Talbot in South Wales.

      Where in the source: Biography opening — born ... 1990 in London

      Accessed:

Lineage

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Open lineage