Lee Hasdell

Infobox Martial artist biography
name = Lee Hasdell


caption =
birthname =
nickname =
nationality = flagicon|GBR British
dateofbirth = December 13, 1966 (age 41)
placeofbirth = Northampton, England
fightingoutof = Milton Keynes, England
dateofdeath =
placeofdeath =
height = height|m=1.85
weightlb = 205
weightkg = 93
reachin =
reachcm =
style = Shin-Sen-Juku
stance = Orthodox
team = SSJ
trainer =
yearsactive = (1989 - present)
boxingwins =
boxingkowins =
boxinglosses =
boxingkolosses =
boxingdraws =
boxingncs =
kickboxingwins =
kickboxingkowins =
kickboxinglosses =
kickboxingkolosses =
kickboxingdraws =
kickboxingncs =
mmawins = 15
mmakowins = 8
mmasubwins = 5
mmalosses = 17
mmakolosses = 5
mmasublosses = 7
mmadraws = 3
mmancs = 1
amwins =
amkowins =
amsubwins =
amlosses =
amkolosses =
amsublosses =
amdraws =
amncs =
other =
occupation =
spouse =
children =
relatives =
students =
university =
url = http://www.ssjstudio.co.uk/
boxrec =
sherdog =

Lee Hasdell (born December 13, 1966, in Northampton, England) is a British professional mixed martial artist. Hasdell is a RINGS veteran and pioneer of British MMA as he promoted the first mixed martial arts events in the UK.

Biography

Lee Hasdell has been fighting professionally since 1989, as he switched from a Thai Boxing career to the world of Shootfighting and mixed martial arts in Japan. He is often referred to as the Godfather of UK MMA, as he is the first and most experienced mixed martial artist in the country. Hasdell is known for his Muay Thai stand up and Japanese anti grapplying skills. Lee Hasdell has also fought some of the best fighters in world including Fedor Emelianenko, Volk Han, Renato Sobral, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović, Gilbert Yvel, Mario Sperry, and many more world class fighters. [ [http://sfuk.tripod.com/interviews_02/lee_hasdell.html] Retrieved August 27, 2008]

Martial Arts Background

As a child Hasdell competed in the 100, 200 metres and high jump at school. When he was 12 years old he started training Taekwondo. Hasdell also took up Boxing before joining a Karate club as he felt that it was more of a mixed style that suited his stand up. It was not till he was 18 that he started weight training seriously and started Kickboxing. He then moved to Milton Keynes from Northampton in 1987 where he began Thai Boxing.

Early Career (1989-1995)

Lee Hasdell began a professional Thai Boxing career in 1989. Taught by one of Master Toddy's first generation instructors. Hasdell stayed with his instructor for six years. Hasdell captured the the WKA British Super-Middleweight title in 1991 and was undefeated British for two years before challenging for the European title. Hasdell also won two more British titles under Thai Boxing and freestyle rules. Hasdell moved up to the Light-Heavyweight division and later Cruiserweight.

Hasdell's quest for the European title began on May 28, 1993 when he fought Paval Rumas in Poland for the ISKA European Light-Heavyweight title. Although knocking the Champion down in the second round, Hasdell eventually lost by split decision. On January 22, 1994, Hasdell had a shot at the WKA European Thai Boxing title against Bob Schrijber from Holland. The fight was held at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow in front of over 20,000 spectators.

On September 3, 1995, Hasdell had his first K-1 fight at "K-1 - Revenge 2", against Duane Van Der Merwe in Tokyo, Japan. Hasdell gave away 30 kg in weight and suffered a first round KO. Hasdell first got interested in mixed martial arts after seeing a no holds barred match in Japan. He then began cross training in mixed martial arts. Hasdell later promoted and fought in an exhibition Shoot fight on October 15, 1995. The event was held in Milton Keynes and was the first Shoot fight in Britain. Hasdell won by knockout in the second round.

He fought Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović in a "K-1 World Grand Prix 1996" qualification tournament in Prague, which was held on December 13, 1995.

Mixed Martial Arts Career (1996-2001)

On February 18, 1996, Hasdell made his professional mixed martial arts debut for RINGS Holland against Dutch fighter Andre Mannaart who was an undisputed world champion in kickboxing and Thai Boxing. Although the fight ended in a draw, Akira Maeda was inpressed in Hasdell's performance and invited Hasdell to train at Akira Maeda's private Dojo in Yokohama, Japan.

On April 20, 1996, Hasdell won the "Oktagon Challenge", an eight man Shoot Boxing tournament held in Milan, Italy. The tournament featured eight fighters representing eight different martial arts. Hasdell went through to the final with two impressive knockouts over American Scott Dobbs and Italian Judo champion Paulo Di Clemente. In the final he faced Andre Mannaart who Hasdell defeated by decision to become the new World Oktagon Shoot Boxing champion. That victory raised his profile and brought him to the attention of Akira Maeda the president of Fighting Network RINGS, a major Japanese promotions company. Akira Maeda offered Hasdell a one year contract with RINGS.

On April 4, 1997, Hasdell made his mixed martial arts debut in Japan at "RINGS: Battle Genesis". Hasdell won within four minutes by guillotine choke. He ended up staying with RINGS for six years, he was promoted to the Shooter category and was given the nickname ‘The Gatekeeper’, if a fighter from another organisation wanted to join RINGS they had to beat Hasdell first. On September 21, 1998, Hasdell lived up to his name when he knocked out UFC Japanese champion Kenichi Yamamoto within eleven minutes. Hasdell became the first British fighter to defeat a Japanese fighter under RINGS rules.

In late 1998, Hasdell began a trilogy of fights with Japanese fighter Yasuhito Namekawa, their first confrontation ended in a draw, but on January 23, 1999 in their second fight Hasdell received a yellow card in the match under RINGS rules. This cost him the fight even though Lee dominated the stand up and was close to knocking Namakawa out in the dying seconds, leaving him with a bloody nose. Although Namakawa was the winner of the match, he had to be helped out of the ring. Their third and final match was held in Milton Keynes, England at "Night of the Samurai 3" on March 7, 1999. Hasdell was trailing by two points before knocking Namakawa out with a knee to the face.

In 1999 Hasdell was at his best and on a five match unbeaten streak before entering the "RINGS: King of Kings tournament" in October. Hasdell was placed in Block A and won his first round match by knockout. In the next round Hasdell lost to Brazilian fighter Renato Sobral by decision. Sobral ended up becoming runner up of the tournament. After this loss Hasdell took a short break to heal his injured knee he received in the fight.

2000 was a very busy year for Hasdell. On March 1, away from RINGS Hasdell traveled to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates to compete in the "ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship", which featured some of the best grapplers in the world. In April Hasdell proved he could fight under K-1 rules as well to show he wasn't just an MMA fighter. He fought in a K-1 Special match at the first K-1 event held in Britain. Hasdell won by a flying knee in round three against WKA World kickboxing champion Simon Dore.Later that month Hasdell travelled to Russia where he fought in the "Absolute Fighting Challenge". The fight was scheduled for one thirty minute round in an octagon cage. Hasdell lost to IAFC World champion Mikhail Avetisyan.

Hasdell began a run of bad luck when he returned to RINGS in May, starting with a decision loss to Mikhail Illoukhine in Russia. He then fought Joop Kasteel for a second time at RINGS Holland in June. Hasdell dominated the fight as he floored Kasteel twice in the opening minute. Hasdell was unfortunate and lost due to a dislocated shoulder in a very short but exciting match. [ [http://sfuk.tripod.com/events/ringskok.html] Retrieved August 28, 2008] Hasdell was again unforfunate when he fought Volk Han in December at the "RINGS: King of Kings tournament". Hasdell was hit in the eye causing a TKO loss in the second round, this was Hasdell's fourth loss in a row under RINGS. [ [http://http://sfuk.tripod.com/2001/news6feb01.html] Retrieved September 8, 2008]

In January 2001, Hasdell won the "Kamon European Brazilian Jujitsu tournament" in London, then a week later he fought Sander Thonhauser for a second time. Thonhauser kneed Hasdell clean in the face while Hasdell was still on the floor, which is illegal and following a retaliation by Hasdell, the fight was declared a no contest. Hasdell was then scheduled to face British fighter James Zikic on March 11 at "Millennium Brawl 2", but pulled out due to an eye injury received in training, this was the third eye injury since receiving his first against Volk Han. After this incident Hasdell took most of the year off. During this time Hasdell appeared in a music video for American singer Shea Seger.

On October 20, 2001, Hasdell returned to winning ways when he knocked out 130 kg Bulgarian Georgi Tonkov with a spectacular flying knee at "RINGS: World Title Series 4". Hasdell's final fight for RINGS was against Fedor Emelianenko in the second round of the "World Title Series tournament" on December 21. Hasdell lost by Guillotine Choke at four minutes and ten seconds of round one. The RINGS company collapsed the following year due to the success of Pride FC.

After RINGS (2002-2004)

Even though not in RINGS anymore, Hasdell returned to Japan where he fought French fighter Cyrille Diabate in a Shoot Boxing match on February 1, 2002. Hasdell lost by technical knock out due to a broken nose. After that match Hasdell decided to take a break from fighting and continued to teach at his club SSJ, also joining the bomb disposal unit in the Territorial Army and becoming a British Armed Forces, Physical Training Instructor. During this time Hasdell promoted more shows in Milton Keynes. These events featured an Octagon Cage compared to a ring which was formerly used for Hasdell's earlier shows.

After more than two years away from fighting, Hasdell returned to MMA on April 24, 2004, at a new weight of 92 kg compared to his former weight of around 102 kg while in RINGS. Hasdell fought Japanese opponent Hiroyuki Ito at "Pain and Glory" held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Hasdell won by KO within 32 seconds of round one. This was Hasdell's first fight since 2002. After this match Hasdell decided to concentrate more on teaching at his club SSJ.

Cage Rage (2007)

2007 saw the return of the UK mma legend after he was contracted to fight for Cage Rage. On July 14 at "Cage Rage 22: Hard as Hell", Hasdell made his Cage Rage debut against Brazilian legend Mario Sperry in the Light Heavyweight (93 kg) division at Wembley arena, it was Hasdell's first fight in three years.

Lee Hasdell's last fight was against Ivan Serati on December 1, 2007 at "Cage Rage 24: Feel the Pain". Hasdell lost by rear naked choke in the second round after damaging his elbow in the first.

Media Criticism

Criticism of mixed martial arts in the UK began as early as 1995, after Lee Hasdell's martial arts event which took place in Milton Keynes. The main event featured Lee Hasdell against American free fighter Boston Jones, the match was billed as the first ultimate Shoot fight. It was the first Shoot fight in Britain. Later Hasdell promoted the first mixed martial arts show in Britain, "Total Fight Night", on October 5, 1997. More shows followed and after Hasdell's fourth event "Night of the Samurai 3" on March 7, 1999, there was even more controversy on whether the sport should be banned or not.

Total Fighting was criticised on Trevor McDonald's Tonight (TV series) programme shown on July 22, 1999. During this time Hasdell featured on Nightlife LWT and other News programmes. Total Fighting was often compared to the UFC which at the time had very few rules compared to Lee Hasdell's Total Fighting, which was based on Hasdell's fighting under RINGS rules. Criticism continued and on March 15, 2000 as Lee Hasdell and Total Fighting also appeared on Johnny Vaughan's The Big Breakfast show.

Promotions

While fighting in RINGS, Hasdell promoted the first mixed martial arts events in the UK. Which were all held in Milton Keynes, England. The first event was in October, 1997, The show featured Thai Boxing, Vale Tudo and RINGS Rule Shoot fighting matches. Hasdell then went on to promote another four shows in the late 90s in which Hasdell himself fought in. These were the first mixed martial arts events in Britain.

* This is a list of the professional mixed martial arts events that Hasdell promoted in Milton Keynes:
* Total Fight Night - October 5, 1997
* Night Of The Samurai 1 - March 7, 1998
* Night Of The Samurai 2 - October 11, 1998
* Night Of The Samurai 3 - March 7, 1999
* KRG 5 - October 3, 1999
* Ring Of Truth 1 - March 12, 2000
* Ring Of Truth 2 - July 9, 2000
* Ring Of Truth 3 - October 8, 2000
* UZI 1: Cage combat Evolution - November 30, 2002
* UZI 2: Combat Evolution - March 8, 2003 [ [http://sfuk.tripod.com/interviews_02/lee_hasdell.html] ]

J Studio

Lee Hasdell runs SSJ studio in Milton Keynes which teaches Thai-kickboxing, Kudo and self defence. [ [http://www.ssjstudio.net/page5.htm] Retrieved October 22, 2007] The term SSJ is taken from the full name of Shin-Sen-Juku. Lee used this name to denote that the martial arts never remains set in its ways, but they are alive and always evolving and developing.

Lee Hasdell list his qualifications on the SSJ website as:
* YMCA/REPS Fitness Instructor,
* Supple Strength Teacher,
* British Armed Forces Physical Training Instructor,
* PPCT Defensive Tactics Intructor USA,
* Smith & Wesson Defensive Tactics Instructor USA,
* Olympic Wrestling Coach,
* Reiki & Acupressure Practitioner,
* SIA Close Protection Officer. [ [http://www.ssjstudio.net/page3.htm SSJ origins] ]

Kudo (UK)

Kudo/Daido Juku is a mixed martial art from Japan, founded by Master Azuma who was one of Sempai Mas Oyama’s Kyokushin students. Master Azuma saw the vision for a well-rounded martial arts system that included safety, reality and popularity. [ [http://www.kudo-uk.com/page2.htm] Retrieved March 2, 2008]

In February, 2008, Lee Hasdell became a certified Kudo Blackbelt from Master Azuma. Hasdell is now a Sensei and is teaching Kudo Method and Philosophy in the UK. [ [http://www.ssjstudio.net/page9.htm] Retrieved August 27, 2008]

Accomplishments

* British WKA Kick Boxing champion 1991
* British BIKMA Thai Boxing champion 1992
* British BIKMA Free Style champion 1992
* World Fenasco Shootboxing champion 1996
* UTF RINGS rules Heavyweight Shootfighting champion 1997 & 1999
* UTF Vale Tudo Heavyweight champion 1998
* Kamon European Brazilian Ju Jitsu open winner 2001
* 6th Dan Shin Senjutsu/Combudo Blackbelt
* AMA Karate Blackbelt
* AMA (Thai) kickboxing Blackbelt
* Daidojuku Kudo Blackbelt
* WCJJO Jujutsu Blackbelt

Professional Fight Record

Mixed Martial Arts Record

* This Mixed Martial Arts record contains all of Lee Hasdell's professional MMA and Hybrid martial arts matches including Shootfighting and Shoot Boxing.

References

External links

* [http://www.ssjstudio.co.uk Official website]
* [http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=1436 Lee Hasdell Sherdog]
* [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://kok.s8.xrea.com/rings.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=6&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DFIGHTING%2BNETWORK%2BRINGS%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DGGLR,GGLR:2006-39,GGLR:en%26sa%3DX FIGHTING NETWORK RINGS]
* [http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/03122007/58/exclusive-godfather-speaks.html Eurosport inteview]