Former UFC champ sends the H.I.T. Squad
By
Jeff Engelhardt
in the heart of the run-down, industrialized town of Granite City is a converted warehouse where an elite group of fighters train.
The facility is draped in camouflage designs, resembling an army barracks. The general of this unit is the most decorated champion in UFC history - Matt Hughes.
The nine-time UFC welterweight champion is sending one his top students and trainers, Kyle Watson, to headline Battle at the Blast III April 26 at Sports Blast. The third installment of Kage One's production will feature fighters from the camps of world-class fighters like Hughes and Marcelo Garcia along with competitors from SIU such as Natu Visinia.
Watson, a former Fighting Illini, was an accomplished fighter before joining Hughes' H.I.T Squad two months ago. Since that time, Watson said being in Hughes' camp has pushed his physical condition and skills to a higher level.
"It's nice having coaches here that will push you when you feel like you can't go anymore," Watson said. "I still come to the gym and see Hughes and (Robbie) Lawler and kind of pinch myself and think, 'Wow, this is my job.'"
An improved Watson could be a scary thought for his opponents, considering he has already competed in more than 200 grappling matches, winning or placing in nearly every tournament. The 28-year-old's impressive credentials landed him the job of head ju-jitsu instructor for the H.I.T Squad, allowing him to become a full-time fighter.
Watson's previous success gave him the chance to compete against some of the top lightweights, so he said while he is taking this fight very seriously, it is also a good way to knock off the ring rust.
The current Total Fight Challenge lightweight champion said he plans to fight in a few small shows this year before cracking into the big events later this year or early next year.
"I usually do better when I have an audience and I like people watching because I thrive on that," Watson said. "But big show or small show, I want to make it quick and finish the fight."
While it is uncertain which trainers and fighters will accompany Watson to Carbondale, one of the assistant coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter", Marc Fiore, will be his corner man. Fiore said Watson is a smart fighter and has improved from the training they have been doing with Hughes and the UFC veteran Lawler.
Fiore said the intense training regiment Watson does every morning and afternoon has helped him become a very strong lightweight. Watson walks around at 175 pounds but is able to cut his weight to as low as 155 pounds for a fight while maintaining his strength.
"As a professional athlete, his body is a furnace right now," Fiore said. "He is pushing his body to the limit and burning calories getting his body to operate at peak performance."
When Watson is in peak condition he tends to end the fight before the final bell. Of his 11 mixed-martial arts victories, nine of them have come by submission.
He said he doesn't mind trading punches, but he knows he can compete with anyone on the ground - and that's where he plans on finishing most of his fights.
Even some of the local fighters training at Dojo USA in Sports Blast are excited to see members of the H.I.T. Squad come down. Dojo USA heavyweight Steve Campbell said it's a great opportunity to meet and watch fighters from that caliber of camp.
"You have to respect a fighter who comes from a camp where the trainer is a nine-time UFC champion," Campbell said. "There is something you can pick up from every fighter and I'm sure there is plenty to learn from the guys from that camp
By
Jeff Engelhardt
in the heart of the run-down, industrialized town of Granite City is a converted warehouse where an elite group of fighters train.
The facility is draped in camouflage designs, resembling an army barracks. The general of this unit is the most decorated champion in UFC history - Matt Hughes.
The nine-time UFC welterweight champion is sending one his top students and trainers, Kyle Watson, to headline Battle at the Blast III April 26 at Sports Blast. The third installment of Kage One's production will feature fighters from the camps of world-class fighters like Hughes and Marcelo Garcia along with competitors from SIU such as Natu Visinia.
Watson, a former Fighting Illini, was an accomplished fighter before joining Hughes' H.I.T Squad two months ago. Since that time, Watson said being in Hughes' camp has pushed his physical condition and skills to a higher level.
"It's nice having coaches here that will push you when you feel like you can't go anymore," Watson said. "I still come to the gym and see Hughes and (Robbie) Lawler and kind of pinch myself and think, 'Wow, this is my job.'"
An improved Watson could be a scary thought for his opponents, considering he has already competed in more than 200 grappling matches, winning or placing in nearly every tournament. The 28-year-old's impressive credentials landed him the job of head ju-jitsu instructor for the H.I.T Squad, allowing him to become a full-time fighter.
Watson's previous success gave him the chance to compete against some of the top lightweights, so he said while he is taking this fight very seriously, it is also a good way to knock off the ring rust.
The current Total Fight Challenge lightweight champion said he plans to fight in a few small shows this year before cracking into the big events later this year or early next year.
"I usually do better when I have an audience and I like people watching because I thrive on that," Watson said. "But big show or small show, I want to make it quick and finish the fight."
While it is uncertain which trainers and fighters will accompany Watson to Carbondale, one of the assistant coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter", Marc Fiore, will be his corner man. Fiore said Watson is a smart fighter and has improved from the training they have been doing with Hughes and the UFC veteran Lawler.
Fiore said the intense training regiment Watson does every morning and afternoon has helped him become a very strong lightweight. Watson walks around at 175 pounds but is able to cut his weight to as low as 155 pounds for a fight while maintaining his strength.
"As a professional athlete, his body is a furnace right now," Fiore said. "He is pushing his body to the limit and burning calories getting his body to operate at peak performance."
When Watson is in peak condition he tends to end the fight before the final bell. Of his 11 mixed-martial arts victories, nine of them have come by submission.
He said he doesn't mind trading punches, but he knows he can compete with anyone on the ground - and that's where he plans on finishing most of his fights.
Even some of the local fighters training at Dojo USA in Sports Blast are excited to see members of the H.I.T. Squad come down. Dojo USA heavyweight Steve Campbell said it's a great opportunity to meet and watch fighters from that caliber of camp.
"You have to respect a fighter who comes from a camp where the trainer is a nine-time UFC champion," Campbell said. "There is something you can pick up from every fighter and I'm sure there is plenty to learn from the guys from that camp
