Just from looking at Paul Friedel, you get the vibes of a barbaric fighter as he dominates the list each time with strength and power. It is no wonder why he has been nicknamed The Barbarian. Despite looks, Paul has also provided great support to fighters of all skill levels. Even at my first Rookie Rumble fight at The Knights Hall, Paul provided me with some helpful fighting advice before taking the field and sending me off with some encouraging words: go and get ‘em girl! To this day I still appreciated his humbleness helping me out that evening.
| Region/Team | Mid Atlantic First Swords Wheel of Pain Baltimore Huns |
| Notable Wins | Notable Wins 2x IMCF Silver medals 16vs16 1x IMCF Bronze medal 5v5 A smattering of Sword and Buckler medals Bridesmaid for many team tournaments Knight Fight Champion and semi finalist for the championship |
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING FOR ARMORED COMBAT?
6 years in Steel
8 years Rattan
10 years Foam
DO YOU HAVE ANY BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE IN MARTIAL ARTS OR OTHER SPORTS?
Wrestled in High school, dabbled in MMA in college, Boxing intermittent throughout.
HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT ARMORED COMBAT AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN?
My brother Andrew Dionne hit me up and told me to come check out a regional event happening in Maryland. I knew a few folk going to it and I’m always looking at different kind of fighting so I drove out with my rattan fighting gear (always bring your armor).
I decided to join after that event, they told me I could have the opportunity to punch Europeans with steel gauntlets on… needless to say I was sold.
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT IN YOUR FIRST FIGHT? CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE?
So that regional event I went to, I stood outside the list and watched these up armored hooligans beating the hell out of eachother. Literally chomping at the bit to try my hand at it, wanting to get at them in whatever capacity I could. I saw what I refer to now as “The Progression of Brutality” I started in foam fighting, stepped up to rattan, and now I was seeing the next step in front of me. It was plain on my face that I wanted in. A while into the event, one of the fighters got hurt and needed to sit out the rest of the day with a shoulder injury. I’m standing there when Zorich taps me on the shoulder and asks
“Where’s your hip bone at?” I point, “Yeah you should fit, want in?”
No fucking shit I did!! Grabbed my cup from the car and now I’ve got 4 people strapping me into gear fast as hell to get in on the next set. I’m no stranger to a fight, been in bunches of em, but this had a different feel to it. All I had to do was put them on the ground and I could do just about whatever to do it… that’s basically free reign compared to most of my other fighting sports. I was happier than a pig in mud, slamming people with elbows and punches, bowling people over. It was a blast. Hotter and heavier than my other armor but it was manageable. Smiles hugs and fist bumps all around, meeting some long time friends that day. I still smile when I think about it, and truly thank you Andrew for convincing me to come out.
WHAT IS YOUR PREFERED WEAPON? DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVORITE?
I am the weapon. Mind, Body and Soul pointed in your direction.
…Axes too…
Credit: Snapping Fire Dragon; Jana Brooks
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME POSITIVE ASPECTS THAT COME FROM THE SPORT?
I meet so many people that have always had the dream of putting on kit and beating somebody with an axe! You’d be surprised at those numbers, compared to the civility we hold ourselves to socially. It’s a call back to our lizard brain, but with a little more flair. It gives that ultra brutality that folk can only really find in video games. Plus we generally get to walk away and have a beer afterwards with only a few bruises… usually.
WHAT IS YOUR FIGHTING STYLE – IF YOU HAVE ONE?
It’s a progression, we are always learning and changing in our styles. I can brawl with the best of them and I’m going to do my best to manipulate that field to the best of my ability. That and be tougher than most.
DO YOU THINK FIGHTING CHANGES WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON? HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU PERSONALLY?
I have been able to cultivate a Warrior’s mindset to life, not just in the lists. The ability to read the ebb and flow of life events, adapting to changes of circumstance and overcoming challenges. Standing back up when knocked down and pushing forwards, learning from that setback. It’s that mental toughness that gets us through this life better, accepting the scars and being proud of that adversity we have endured. Also the fact that I know I can take one hell of a beating and that the pain is temporary… Fuck Polehammers.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE FOR NEW PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE SPORT?
ASK QUESTIONS!! So many people in this sport have such knowledge that just need prompting to share. We don’t think of every little thing to warn you against or tell you until sometimes it’s too late and you’ve spent 400 on armor that won’t work for the sport. It’s why I started making Youtube videos (trying to edit… anyone got a better handle on that?)
Fuck I ask all kinds of questions to all kinds of folk in the sport constantly, just so I can get a different angle or mindset.
Really though: Get into your armor and get used to it and hang tough it’s worth it.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE FUTURE OF ARMORED COMBAT SPORTS?
Seeing it grow past our grassroots and watching the progression of our fighters. It’s gonna be fun!!
ANY FINAL WORDS YOU WANTED TO MENTION?
Everyone Falls. Get Back Up, We’ve Got Another Fight.
Paul Friedel currently runs a Youtube Channel dedicated to fighting. Subscribe to his channel.
