It’s always fun watching one of our own home town local fighters make it to the big show and fight on National television. Under one week removed from his quarter final, opening round bout in the Bellator lightweight tournament Rick Hawn is already back to the grind of a very intense regimen of work outs and dieting.

I was fortunate to catch up with Rick for an interview Tuesday night following his Bellator 62 KO win over 14-1 Ricardo Tirloni.

DB: So why did you move down to lightweight and was it a tough cut?

RH: initially I never thought I could do it. I’m a little small for welterweight, guys that fight at 170 usually walk around between 185-200. I walk at 180-185 and I’m a little short for the division to. After talking to my Team and trainer Firas Zahabi they thought it was best that i move down to light weight. 

DB: How did you cut the weight? ive heard you have a personal Dietician…

RH: This was actually the first time i ever tried a scientific weight cut. I have a great Nutricianist George Lockhart. He’s worked with Kenny Florian.

DB:  So tell me about Bellator and their Tournament style setting, do you like it? it seems benificial if you like to fight often and on the regular but once your the champion you seem to have a lot of time off.

RH: I like it, To fight every month is tough on the body but money wize it lucritive. Im happy with the format. Being Champion and having to sit on the shelf for a bit kind of sucks so i hope they change it. I want to be active, im a little bit older so i want to be as busy as i can while i still can.

DB: Where are you training now:

RH: I train with Renzo Gracie NH, Triumph BJJ in Nashua, Renzo Gracie NY, and Tri Star in Montreal. I leave for Montreal and will be there for two weeks for this up coming fight and with little time before the next one ill pretty much be up there the whole time.

DB: Is this (MMA) your full time job now?

RH: Its my full time job. im always training. I also teach and do seminars and private lessons at Triumph, and Renzo’s.

DB: how did you get into MMA?

RH: for me it was a natural progression from Judo. Its not usually that way for most Judo players but for me i like to stay active and i love to compete, i wanted this.

DB: So who’s next man? who did you draw in the tournament and when is the next fight?

RH: Cupcake Woodard April 20th in Cleveland Ohio. Its a tough fight, he beat the favorite (Patricky Friere) to win the tournament. I dont think Patricky fought smart in that fight. Cupcake is real Aggressive and thats good for me. I’ll be prepared and im going to pick apart his game. He likes to clinch and it plays into my judo but his cardio isnt superb so i plan on that being a big factor.

DB: So the obvious would put Weidman with Thiago Michele, who wins that fight?

RH: Weidman takes that i think, he’s the more all around fighter.

DB: ok man, lastly take me through some sponsors, who’s been helping you out?

RH: Fuij, Zebra Mats, Skins, Game 7, Sports Therapy, and Strong man Security.

So, i want to thank Rick for his time and wish him the best of luck in his training and his up coming fight with Cupcake Woodard. Short and sweet and to the point.