Hank Smith

The experience was legit. I have done tournaments before, but I have never placed as well as I did in this one because I wasn't as prepared and well trained as I am now. I was nervous going into the first fight cause all that was going through my head was, "I gotta win this and rep RXYM! hahha". The first fight I went into it easy and realized that this is competition pace, I gotta step it up. I lost my first fight, then beat the next kid with a Kimura. Then the next person with an Americana. And then I faced the kid that beat me all over again. I ended up beating him, so our record was tied. We went for the first place spot and I said to myself, "There's no way I came all this way to not with this." So I used that as my motivation and came out on top, beating him 17-2 in points.

Haha... surfing wasn't my thing from the beginning. I moved down here with every guy's So Cal vision.. get ripped, surf, and get some beach hotties. Didn't work out so well. I still love the water though, just prefer it warm, haha!

I left the gym not because of the training quality, because it was great and Nick is an awesome BJJ Professor. I just wanted to full on fight MMA and they didn't offer it. I found "The Compound" and North County Fight Club through a friend of my dad's. He took me once to train with the pro's like Eddie Sanchez and Jason Lambert. I was hooked instantly and have been training there ever since. Greg and Allen were the people who initially introduced me to Jiu Jitsu and that is where it all started. Of course I still hang out with them. I always look up to them for advice when I need it.

Haha, I bet u expect me to say WAR MACHINE!!! Hahaa, syke! That guy is a legit fighter and yeah, his fight with J-Roc was legit and probably one of my favorite fights. But my favorite fighter would have to be, "The Irish Hand Grenade, Marcus Davis". Or GSP fo sho!

I have learned a lot mentally and how to deal with anger and how to treat people in a more mature manner. Every person from NCFC has taught me something new that has helped me to improve greatly. My attitude is definitely less up tight, more laid back now and relaxed. I'm a total different person than I was a few years ago. I am in way better shape then I ever have been. I would advise this sport to anyone that thinks they have what it takes because it's a great way to truly test yourself.

I see RXYM Fashion USA as one of the raddest companies coming up right now! Fighters are way amped on the clothes. Whenever I go into train, someone always says, "Sick shirt" or something. Jason Lambert, UFC fighter, is interested in talking about something with RXYM. And I think Eddie Sanchez would too. You know why.. cause RXYM is gonna kill it!

When I am training I try to watch what I eat. I don't fill my body with junk. I won't eat fast food. I don't eat much pizza at all. My diet is whatever sounds good and is healthy.

My goal in grappling this year is to place in another tournament or two. And possibly work up to my blue belt in this coming January.

Yeah, NCFC is a fight management with many pro fighters. Jason Lambert, Brandon Vera, Roger Huerta, Eddie Sanchez, Brodie Faber, Shannon Gugerty, Ed Ratcliff, Jon "War Machine" Koppenhaver and many others.