On August 10th, the heavyweight division will be fully
reborn in the MFC. Tim “The Thrashing Machine” Hague will be slugging it out
with Mike “The Honey Badger” Hackert for heavy-duty glory. The winner will be
recognized as the greatest Canadian heavyweight fighter in the sport. Yeah, it’s
that big.
Tim Hague was the best heavyweight fighter in Canada on May
17, 2012, but on May 18th, Hackert held the honour. The Honey Badger was the
much smaller fighter; however, he took the decision after a very high-paced 3
rounds, mostly thanks to his speed and technique on the feet. His plan for MFC
34 is simple – rinse and repeat. “I think it’s going to be the same as last
time, “ says Hackert, “He will not be able to take me down, and I’m going to
keep it standing. That’s where my strength is.”
Hackert is strong on the feet, and he sent a clear message
about his abilities to the MMA community in that fight with Hague. That being
noted, when it comes to owning the crown as the greatest Canadian heavy, The
Thrashing Machine has a message of his own, “Mike Hackert beat me on May 18th.
He took that title from me fair and square, and August 10th, I’ll be damned if
I don’t get it back.” Hague’s motivation is palpable, and his voice is
confident and unwavering.
Fans may be wondering what could possibly change in the
short time since these beasts last locked horns, and the answer is plenty.
Hague will likely be entering the ring 20 – 30 pounds lighter than last time.
Hackert had a strong focus on gaining new knowledge in what he described as an
“amazing camp.” Hague is on a new ultra-clean diet. Hackert is freshly focused
on fighting realizing there’s a much bigger bullseye on his back. Ultimately
these guys know how to rock the show in an MMA arena, and they’re both more
determined than ever to prove their worth going live on AXS TV.
That’s right, MFC fans. AXS TV is in the mix. The
Heavyweight Division is back. The biggest Canadian fight in history is upon us.
Don’t think these fighters don’t know it either, “It’s going to be one hell of
a fight, and it’s going to kick off the heavyweight division with a bang,”
exclaims Tim Hague. His opponent agrees, “Our last fight was great to watch,
and this fight is perfect for the main card.”
That’s where the agreement ends. When picturing the perfect
way for this fight to play out, Hackert wants a repeat of last time. That way
the fans get a great show, and he walks away a winner. Tim Hague has a
different vision, ““I want to break him down, and do what he did to me in the
first fight and let him see how it feels. I’m not going in there throwing
haymakers, but I want to finish him definitely by the second round.” Hague
maintains that Hackert deserved the win last time but cautions anyone betting
against him at the Mayfield this August, “I was out of shape for our last fight,
and I’m going to be showing up in shape this time.”
This is big for fans as all signs point to a highly
entertaining fight. Mike Hackert wants to outbox Hague, and Tim Hague thinks
he’s done what he needs to do to put Hackert away. Let’s be frank. Hague knows
how to knock people out, Hackert is one of the faster heavyweights in the game,
and this one ain’t going to the ground. There may not be a ton of trash talk
leading up to the fight, but the gun powder is inside both these ring warriors.
Hague gives Hackert full respect for the first fight, but that’s where it ends,
“As far as this fight goes, he’s not getting any respect from me.” Hackert may
not engage in personal attacks either, but he doesn’t think his opponent is
necessarily making the right move by slimming down, “It sounds like he’s
getting lighter. I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
The significance of the return of the heavys and the debut
of the MFC on AXS TV is not lost on these guys and both are working their fists
to the bone preparing. Hague has worked with strength and conditioning guru
Shara Vigeant and the kickboxing monsters at Frank Lee’s. He’s also continued
his work with BJJ beast Kyle Cardinal and the big boy in his camp, Mike Cobey.
Mike Hackert realizes the target on his back since his last fight with Tim,
especially now that he’s built his sponsor list to include Never Tap, Fitness
Etc., Reign , Bryce Hansen Remax, Comox Valley Boxing Club, CV Fitness, and
Zuma. There’s no room left on his shorts, but he hasn’t lost his sense of
humour. When asked what came to mind when hearing he is considered the greatest
Canadian HW in MMA, he chuckled, “Good timing, Mike. Good timing.”
The ring will be rocked on August 10th as these two
exceptional athletes and monstrous men go to war. Leading up to the big fight,
Hackert wants to send a message to Tim Hague, “Let’s put on another good show,
man.” Could Hackert be baiting The Thrashing Machine into going into full
run-and-gun mode again? Maybe. It’s also a possibility that Hague sees some
benefit in getting into his opponent’s head, and he has a message as well, “I
saw a posting on facebook about Mike not giving a **** about size. I want him
to know I’m bringing a lot more than size to this fight.” No matter who takes
this moment and squeezes victory from it, every fan sitting in Mayfield Centre
or watching on AXS TV will be in for a scorching scrap.
In June 1981, the fantasy film hit, Clash of the Titans was
released. That was a movie. This is real. The smaller, faster hero may, once
again, take victory, but the awoken giant has learned from the last encounter
and may exact his revenge. Metaphors aside, on August 10, 2012, in Edmonton , Alberta ,
Canada
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