Bellator vet Chad Hinton joins the MWG team
New MWG client Chad Hinton (photo courtesy of Bellator Fighting Championships)
Bellator Fighting Championships veteran Chad Hinton (9-4) has fought against some of the best mixed martial artists in the world, and now he’s joined MWG as he looks to make his way back to the top of the sport.
A lifelong wrestler who competed collegiately at Wright State, Hinton also took up boxing at age 17 and later transitioned into San Shou kickboxing in 2005. Hinton won an international San Shou tournament at the prestigious Arnold Sports Festival.
“The kicks were something I had to learn, but that came pretty easily,” Hinton said of his San Shou career.
Needless to say, Hinton’s background also helped him in making the switch to MMA in 2006. By the time 2009 came to an end, Hinton had an eight fight win streak that included a knockout victory over former UFC fighter Jeff Cox.
With that success, Hinton earned a well-deserved spot in Bellator to take on longtime UFC contender Roger Huerta.
“It was exciting,” Hinton said. “Everybody has aspirtations to fight in the UFC. That’s the biggest goal. But Bellator really started coming around at that time. When I got that call, I was like, man, I’m finally getting the opportunity I’ve been waiting for.”
Hinton came up short against Huerta but proved that he could compete with high-level talent. After winning the first round, a broken nose began to slow him down and Huerta took control in the last two rounds before securing a kneebar submission with less than one minute to go.
“I was in the fight and we had a good camp, a good gameplan,” he said. “I think his experience is what won him the fight for sure.”
Following a split decision loss to The Ultimate Fighter Season 8 participant Ido Pariente, Hinton suffered an injury during his training camp to take on UFC vet Chris Horodecki. Now fully healed up, Hinton is working at Drive MMA with the likes of his boxing coach Rob Bradford, 9-1 middleweight and two-time Bellator vet Tim Ruberg, and sparring partner Ron Mitchell. Hinton had also previously worked with MMA coach Josh Rafferty.
“I’m definitely anxious to get back in and fight,” Hinton said.
Category: Media/Announcements, Profiles
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