Local Sports

By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer

The bell sounds and both fighters square off in the center of the ring. One quickly sticks a couple jabs and prepares to land a punch to the body.

But before he's able to complete the action, the other fighter rushes at him and drives him into the corner, then lifts his stunned opponent and suplexes him over his back.

Now both fighters are on the ground, grappling with each other until our hero gets his legs around the other guy in a choke hold, forcing his opponent to give up.

Clearly, this is not Ali vs. Frazier.

It's a mixed martial arts bout and the hero of our story is 24-year old Jeff Hammond from Tyler, an amateur in the sport of MMA who defeated Chad Fullmer, another amateur from Conway, Ark., in a fight earlier this year.

Hammond accomplished this in 22 seconds.

"I knew he was a boxer, so our game plan was to wait for him to throw a punch, and just rush him," Hammond said. "I grabbed him and had him in a good position, so I suplexed him. My arm was in a perfect position and I went for a guillotine (choke) and tapped him out."

MMA is a full-contact sport that enables fighters to use many different styles. From martial arts to wrestling, the rules allow for striking and grappling techniques, both while standing and on the ground.

Hammond has a 5-2 record in his brief MMA amateur career and will now step into the ring for his first title bout. He is scheduled to fight later today at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium against Tony Kelly (4-2-1) for the World ICF Lightweight Championship.

"Most people think that it's just thugs coming in there and throwing punches, but to actually be good at it and get a title shot, you have to come in and put in the time like an athlete," said Hammond, a University of Texas graduate, who is also a commissioned peace officer.

"If you have a big ego in this sport, you are probably not going to last. Fans get their favorites, and it's usually the nice guys. They hate the guys who are punks and make the sport look bad."

Hammond fights out of Lone Star Mixed Martial Arts Gym in Tyler. Drew Arthur, owner and coach of Lone Star Gym, lists its mission statement on its website.

"We are a Christian-based martial arts facility. Our ultimate goal is to glorify God by providing a friendly, family-oriented martial art, workout/fitness facility to the community."

Arthur said Hammond is the perfect example of what Lone Star MMA gym is all about.

"I find out when fighters believe in God that means they believe in more than just themselves. With a lot of fighters, they only believe in themselves and their accomplishments," Arthur said. "Jeff is a real, super quiet guy, who is well-spoken when he does speak. He has a really good heart and has been a real asset to the gym."

Jeff is one of 10 competitive MMA fighters from Lone Star Gym. Along with Arthur, whose expertise is Jiu-Jitsu, the gym also has coach Gerald MeHarry, an expert in valetudo (Brazilian MMA), coach Hector Guevara, a former professional kickboxer, and coach Aaron Stregle, an MMA coach, who Arthur said has been doing Judo since he was four.

Hammond said the way he acts in and out of the ring is just as important as his result. This is not only for him, but also as an ambassador of sorts for MMA, a sport which continues to carry a negative stigma as it battles for viewers with traditional boxing.

"I don't trash talk; the only thing I do is maybe a little stare-down before the fight, but after the fight, I am your best friend," Hammond said. "To be respected by the masses, we need to get that 'thug' aspect out of the sport."

The biggest difference between professional MMA and professional boxing is in a word, money. Hammond wants to turn pro next year, where he can make $300 a fight.

"Forest Griffin and Rampage Jackson fought in UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) for light heavyweight championship and they made $250,000 a piece, where as a boxer (in a title bout) might make $20 million."

Before Hammond's professional career, he needs to gain his first amateur title belt, which means winning tonight's bout against Kelly.

"I've seen him fight twice and he's pretty much a brawler," Hammond said. "Unless he catches me with a wild punch, I don't see him beating me. My all-around game is just better."

Notes: Those interested in mixed martial arts, judo, jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing or other disciplines, Lone Star MMA Gymnasium/Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is located on 3508 Westway Street, just off of Hwy. 155 toward Palestine. The Lone Star MMA website is lonestarmmagym.com, or you can call Drew Arthur at 903-530-5836.

TITLE BOUT: Jeff Hammond, a 24-year-old mixed martial arts fighter, competes for the 155-pound title Saturday in Shreveport, La.
(Staff Photo By Mark Roberts)