MMA Recap

Recapping with Chase Hackett - I Still Have A Lot To Learn

by Brent Todd - 01-28-2010

Take note of today, because today is the day that you will remember reading about an up-coming mixed martial artist by the name of Chase Hacket.  While he is only about to enter his second professional fight of his career, this promising young fighter is showing all the signs of going far in this business.  MMA Recap's Brent Todd sat down with Hackett to discuss his career.

It is hard to believe but it is now possible for someone to enter the sport because their parents enjoyed it so much. 
Hackett recalls "My parents were into the UFC and my step-dad talked me into trying out some Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  At the time I had very little knowledge of the sport in general.  A little more than four years ago, with no wrestling or martial arts experience, I took my first bjj class at Gumm MMA and fell in love.  After about a year of excelling in jiu jitsu, my coach, Brad Gumm, asked if I would ever be interested in fighting.  I started to add Muay Thai and wrestling to my jiu jitsu and won my first amateur fight in June of 2007.  I have been hooked on fighting ever since."

Prior to even entering his first class, however, Hackett was a motor cross rider.  While many people will state that they are two very different sports, Hackett has found similarities between the two.
"I raced motocross for quite a while and it has always been a part of my life.  I think the two sports are very comparable in regards to physical demands, mental aspects, and necessary sacrifices for success.  It may be hard to believe, but to me, mx is a lot more taxing on the body.  I would much rather get punched in the face rather than break an arm or a femur."

In his first fight he took on an impressive Drew Dober who has fought for Victory Fighting Championships and Strikeforce.  Unfortunately for Dober, Hackett won the fight in a manner that surprised even himself.
"For the Dober fight I knew I could control the fight on the ground, but I never thought I would drop him.  All of my training partners say I hit hard and my fight was the first time I started to believe it.  I owe my victory over Drew to a great game plan my team worked up and drilled for weeks."

That team, as mentioned previously, is at Gumm MMA.  Hackett shares his thoughts on the relatively unknown school.
"I love it there.  Everyone is like family but we are all also very competitive and push one another to the next level.  Thought it's a relatively small place, I feel like I have some of the best training partners and coaches around.  We work very hard as a team."

Hackett will be fighting Jimmy Seipel for the Victory Fighting Championship lightweight belt in February.  Hacket has some strong words for the undefeated Seipel.
"I think Jimmy has a big mouth and likes to run it.  If that's his perogotive then so be it.  But I sure hope he can back up his words when the time comes.  With that said, I still respect the guy for doing what he does.  Jimmy had a very successful amateur career with only one loss (to Drew Dober), and he is undefeated as a pro.  So I am very much looking forward to this fight, shutting him up, and bringing the VFC belt home to Denver."

Hackett stays humble, knowing that he is new to the sport and his goals for the year.
"First and foremost, I want to bring that VFC belt home.  Beyond that I just want to keep training hard and progressing as I still have so much to learn.  That's what I love about this sport, you will always be a student in the game and its almost just the beginning for me.  Also, rumor has it that there will be an upcoming TUF in the lightweight division this year so I would definitely like to give that shot."

In his off time Hackett spends the quality time with those who matter most to him.
"I spend most of all of my time with my girlfriend, close family and friends.  To be successful in the sport you really have to dedicate so much time and emotion.  And with also having to have a full time job, that leaves very little left for the people you care about.  I also wipe the dust off of my dirt bike and hit the track a few times, take the boat out to wakeboard, sky ski, and pretty much anything you can do on a lake.  Oh and of course eat a lot."

Speaking of eating, we had to find out Hackett's favorite breakfast cereal.
"During training I love the Kashi honey almod flax.  But my all time favorite has to be Cap'n Crunch Crunch Berries."

Hackett would like to thank "MTX Audio, Performance MMA, Magnetic Marketing Associates, all my coaches and teammates at Gumm MMA, and my mom for putting up with years of traveling and injuries with motocross only now to watch me get beat up."
 

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