Hans 'HasL' Burnett
Interview by Daniel Regan
Daniel: I'd like to thank you on behalf of MMARising.com for giving us the opportunity to interview you. First off, can you state your name and any nickname that you might have.
Hans: Hans "HasL" Burnett.
Daniel: So, how long have you been training? What got you in to Mixed Martial Arts?
Hans: Started doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu around 1997. Never thought I really needed anything else, style-wise. At the time I was young and naïve. I decided in 2000 that I was ready for my first fight, and I found out the hard way that Jiu-Jitsu and MMA are 2 different worlds. It was a hard lesson learned.
Daniel: You're not the only one to learn that lesson.
Hans: But after that point, I decided I needed to start working on my boxing and Muay Thai, and from that point on, I shed the gi and pretty much stopped caring about BJJ rank and started focusing more on being well-rounded.
Daniel: In the current MMA atmosphere, that seems to be ever-increasing in importance. So, speaking of BJJ rank, what belt level are you and how much of that actually affects your current style in the ring?
Hans: I’m a purple belt, but like I said before, I gave up on caring about rank because a lot of guys today have no rank and will still school you at BJJ. Jiu-Jitsu definitely is still my main style - my bread and butter - but I think I’ve grown as a fighter all around.
Daniel: What weight class do you compete at and what is your current record?
Hans: I currently fight at Welterweight as a professional. As an amateur, I was fighting at 155 and my amateur record was 5-4 MMA. Pro has been a tough road so far. I’m 0-2 for now. Soon to be 1-2, with my rematch coming in October.
Daniel: Tell me about your training regimen.
Hans: We’re on a 6 day schedule for this upcoming fight. 3 days strictly strength and conditioning, and cardio. 3 days MMA. MMA days consist of one hour boxing and 2 hours BJJ. Then, usually another hour of Muay Thai and MMA sparring. Our conditioning days are brutal. I have nothing left at the end of our circuits.
Daniel: Give the readers a bit of insight in to the kind of conditioning you go through.
Hans: Warm-up starts with a 3 mile run (with hills) while wearing 20lb. weighted vest. We then immediately go into the circuit, which includes overhead keg presses, duck walks with 30lb. sand bags, plyometric stations, then a 175lb. loaded wheelbarrow run - 300 yards down and 300 yards back (uphill). Then back to the plyo station again, and to finish it off, sledgehammers and core strength drill with tire.
Daniel: I always enjoy seeing strongman-style training implemented in to MMA. It seems like you have a very intense program. What school do you train at?
Hans: Currently with Team Drop Zone Combat, which is my school/team. I also work out extensively with the Verde Valley Judo Center, with World Masters black belt Randy Hale and his top brown belt, Rob Burnson.
Daniel: You mentioned that you've started 0-2. What do you believe has been your biggest weakness coming in to those fights?
Hans: Well, my first fight was against a tough opponent in Joe "The Show" Cronin. They really kind of threw me to the lions on that one, but, in all honesty, I really underestimated him, which a fighter should never do. He took me to school. The crowd was really behind him as the fan favorite and that was the first time in my life I’ve ever been booed during my ring walk. He and I have since become friends, and he has gone as far as to offer to help me train in the future.
Daniel: That sounds like an important experience in your career.
Hans: Most definitely a very humbling experience. With me being a BJJ guy, it was hard to swallow when he took my back and I knew that I was done. I refused to tap so he put me to sleep.
Daniel: Taking a nap at someone else's orders is never that fun. Now, when is your next fight?
Hans: I’m fighting on October 13th at Cliff Castle Casino for Rage in the Cage 102. I’m getting a rematch with Richie Reyes.
Daniel: What have you done to adjust your game plan?
Hans: Well, the last time I fought Richie, I took the fight on 3 days’ notice. I was winning that fight last time, so I know if I can do what I did on three days’ notice last time, the 6 weeks we had to train this time around will make me ready. If I get him on the ground it’s going to be a short night for him.
Daniel: So, your prediction for the fight?
Hans: Submission in round 2.
Daniel: While generally it might be okay to say 'break a leg,' that could be a bad omen in this sport, so we at MMARising.com want to wish you the best of luck and hope you're successful in your rematch.
Hans: Thanks a lot. I appreciate the support.
