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When Mick began his training in 1973, he’d already been boxing for five years, having both amateur and professional bouts. His thirst for knowledge has since driven him to train in a variety of systems — often several at a time — always with a view to serious, no-bull self-defence.
Mick spent nine years working as a bouncer in some of Melbourne’s roughest establishments during the 1970s and ’80s, and it was this hands-on experience that influenced the arts that he teaches. When he founded Freestyle Combat Karate Australia in 1979, his aim was to give real answers to real questions regarding street self-defence.
To that end, Mick has searched the world for answers and has attained the following ranks under some of the world’s most renowned masters: Guro in Kali Magulang Na and Sifu in Jun Fan Gung Fu (Jeet Kune Do) under Guro Dan Inosanto (USA); Associate Instructor in Renegade Jeet Kune Do and Advanced Instructor in Worden Combative Arts under Datu Kelly Worden (USA); Advanced Civilian Instructor in Tactical Krav Maga; Kru (instructor) in Muay Thai under both Master Toddy Thohsaphon Sitiwatjana (UK) and Ajarn Surachai Sirisute (USA); 4th Dan in San Chi Kai Karate under Mal Lomax; 3rd Dan in Harry Hellings’ Shint Kwon Do Karate; and 2nd Dan in Modern Arnis under Amando Soteco (Philippines).
Mick has also studied under such luminaries as Larry Hartsell and Eric Paulson (USA), Tony Blauer (Canada), Dave Hedgecock, Nino Pilla, John Will, John Donehue and Roland Dantes. He currently holds the rank of 7th Dan Black-belt in Freestyle Combat Karate Australia.
Mick Nicholls, Then & Now
Mick, the first issue of Blitz was released in 1987 ... Do you remember what you were doing then year, in terms of your martial arts training and teaching?
In 1987 I was teaching Freestyle Combat Karate, but we were not doing kata — instead, we were hitting focus-pads and using kick-shields, something hardly anyone else was doing at the time. Arnis/kali was already a big part of Freestyle. I had already trained overseas three times by ’87 and had been introduced to Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do and Inosanto Kali. I was also working the pads regularly with [former kickboxing champion] Dave Hedgecock. When I think back now, we were years ahead of our time.
What major changes have occurred in your system since then — and, in particular, in the 11 years since this technique was done?
Our system has changed quiet a bit in the last 11 years. I’m always looking for better methods and concepts to teach our members. These changes are all positive and have been influenced over the years by people like John Will, Bobby Breen, Nino Pilla, Master Toddy, Ajarn Chai, Kelly Worden and, more recently, Israeli Tactical Krav Maga.
In your view, what are the major differences in the Australian martial arts and self-defence scene today, compared to the scene back in 1987?
There is a lot more to choose from, the range of martial arts systems today is great. Also, there are pure self-defence or personal defence systems out there now, like my Urban Defensive Concepts system, which did not exist back in ’87. Our Freestyle system was totally different than anything else around in ’87, now there are many systems that have similar approaches to our training methods.
We’ve asked you to do a different response to the same attack scenario given to you in 1995 — is there anything in this new sequence that wasn’t part of your system then?
My approach to self-defence has always been based on practical techniques that work, not theatrical junk. Today is no different — except, since those photos from 1995 were taken, I’ve had the privilege of furthering my knowledge with some exceptional people and they have influenced my reactions to attack scenarios today. An example would be that I now use open-hand and hammer-fist strikes, etc., whereas back then I was a bit more boxing-focused.
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