Mike Hackert shocked the MMA world with his latest victory.
If he can repeat the feat, it won’t be a shock the second time. It will be a clear-cut message that he is a force to be reckoned with.
Hackert (6-1), the newest fighter signed to the Maximum Fighting Championship’s ever-growing roster, will do the rematch against recent foe Tim “The Thrashing Machine” Hague (14-6) on the MFC 34: Total Recall card set for Friday, August 10 at the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.
The bout will not only be a featured matchup on the HDNet Fights event airing live in the United States and on tape-delay on TSN2 in Canada, but it will also officially mark the re-launch of the heavyweight division in the Maximum Fighting Championship.
Hackert scored a rousing unanimous decision over Hague two weeks ago – a result that stunned most insiders as Hague boasted a significantly better resume heading into the fight. But it was Hackert who dominated throughout, and left Hague calling out for a chance at redemption.
The rematch was a temptation too great to pass up for Hackert, who signed a multi-fight deal with the MFC.
“I’m probably more excited than the first time we fought because I know he’s going to bring it more than he did the first time. I know I would if I had a chance to redeem myself, but I’m going to hit it hard too,” said Hackert, who hails from Comox, British Columbia.
Hackert first got a taste of the MFC as a fan, trekking to Edmonton to see his friend John Alessio in action on a card headlined by a light-heavyweight title fight between Emanuel Newton and Trevor Prangley. He knew instantly that he had found the place he wanted to fight. It was just a matter of getting himself together and being ready for the big step up.
“It’s about me being focused on everything I need to do,” said the 24-year-old commercial diving student.
“I always knew that I had the tools to succeed. It just came down to using them and having my head clear.”
After his initial victory over Hague, Hackert doesn’t see much need to change his game plan. It will be more of the same approach that earned him the decisive win first time out.
“I rely a lot on the fight-or-flight instinct, and I love that feeling,” explained Hackert. “As a heavyweight, because I’m fighting guys who are bigger than me, my only chance is to come out swinging. I have no choice but it’s such a rewarding feeling.”
