HIDE YOUR NECK! Featuring: David "Hollywood" Hulett

So it's the second article of Hide Your Neck and this time I spoke to David "Hollywood" Hulett (pronounced Hewlett like Hewlett Packard) who is a well traveled American who I believe has called Malaysia his second home for a fair bit of time now. He is currently based at Klinch MMA @ Publika in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where he coaches Malaysian Invasion competitors such as Theeban G. and Darren Low to name a few. I had a very interesting and funny conversation about himself, his opponent and his thoughts on his involvement in the SUPERFIGHT segment of Copa Da Malasia 2.

Like any other aspiring Jedi on the mats, David Hulett begins his journey in a place far far away in a land before the existence Facebook and the creation of the selfie. The year is 1998 and under the tutelage of Robert Maia, Hulett started his journey in Boston BJJ. " I would then, cut my teeth back in Birmingham with Samuel Puccio and his instructor Professor Rodrigo Medieros ranked me as a purple belt. There were also sessions of Sambo and Akayama-Ryu Jiu Jitsu filled in a week whenever there was a gap in my schedule."

David Hulett is not a stranger to the grind! Circa 2008, the moniker "Hollywood" was added to his name and he focused on his Mixed Martial Arts career. Hulett has fought in very kickass promotions such as Strikeforce, King Of The Cage.

David "Hollywood" Hulett record of 21 Wins and 10 Losses (14 Wins by Submission) - source: Sherdog.com

" My travels brought me to Las Vegas where I specialized in MMA. Being based there I was blessed to cross paths and work with amazing coaches and fighters which include the likes of Gene Labelle, Vinny Magalhaes, Eddie Bravo, Ryan Hall, Wanderlei Silva and Forrest Griffin, " As time progressed his journey led him to an Australian event organized by K-Oz Entertainment under the name "Bragging Rights 2". In the month of April 2012, "Hollywood" secured the belt by way of TKO in the second round and thus, became champion. All the fights, sweat, tears, blood and sacrifices culminating in a night of bliss as he strapped leather around his waist. Three years later in 2015 he was awarded his brown belt by Professor Pedro Paulino Vinagre.

David "Hollywood" Hulett at a pivotal point in his journey. As we move on to present day 2016, "Hollywood" revealed a little about his preparations for Copa Da Malasia 2 ;

David "Hollywood" Hulett and the "Kreve of Love" on holiday mode and not a single piece of training gear in sight.

" My preparations for Abang was hurried as the fire of competition was dimmed slightly by holidays well spent with family in New Orleans. When I got back I had maybe a rough 2 weeks to make sure my Gi plays were on point. " When I brought up the point of "Hollywood" being about 10 kilograms (22 pounds) heavier, he countered me quickly with a small chuckle ; " Yeah, I outweigh him by 10 kilograms, but it is to my understanding that Abang is a very passionate borderline-obssessed Gi player with a very unique set of plays. I know what it is like being young and scrappy and me being more traveled and experienced, it will be a good counter to his style. I like this challenge because it tests me on varying levels. "

I was very interested when he mentioned varying levels so I asked him to elaborate on the mental part of the challenge. His reply was very candid and respectful of his opponent's unique abilities ; " Yeah, I know it's going to be fun rolling with that Malaysian Octopus. I find this to be my most mentally stimulating fight due to just many factors, I have a plan and am confident in my fundamentals but Abang is interesting, he might try something funky and crazy and catch me or the reverse applies and I catch him in a lock or a choke. I see it as just two guys learning regardless of the results. Whatever the case, I am expecting a very exotic game from Abang. "

In his closing words, David "Hollywood" Hulett closed with more humour only a gruff seasoned veteran could dish out and also with words of appreciation and thanks ;

" I would like to shout out to Chris Leow and all my friends and training partners over at Klinch MMA, the guys over at Wes Gatos Fight School for opening your doors and letting me roll, Master Khoo at TNT Kickboxing & MMA, Alvin from Borneo Combat Gym in Labuan for the support over the last year and helping me contribute to the Malaysian MMA community more effectively and lastly, everyone at Malaysian Invasion MMA (MIMMA) for letting me see how the best Amateur MMA platform in the world operates from the inside out. Thank you to everyone who has and continue to help me along my journey "

The thing about martial arts is, it is a journey; a constant search for the soul. Doing this interview with David "Hollywood" Hulett has made the realization set in that this will be a clash of East vs West, White vs Asian, America vs Malaysia, MMA vs BJJ. How you want to see it is up to you, but never not see it as something other than art.

Abang Dzulqarnaen vs David "Hollywood" Hulett

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