Former England rugby union star spent 17 years taking untold quantities of bodily punishment on the rugby discipline. Now he is reigniting his sporting profession… as an MMA fighter.
Haskell has signed to struggle for American promotion Bellator, and is predicted to make his professional debut for the group within the first half of 2020.
It is an enormous step for the 34-year-old former England worldwide, who represented his nation 77 instances as a flanker, the place his physicality and brute energy had been known as upon each within the scrum and within the open discipline.
However, slightly than having fun with his retirement from one of many hardest staff sports activities on the planet, Haskell has determined to show his hand to arguably the hardest particular person sport on the earth, as he prepares to make his Bellator MMA debut subsequent 12 months.
Haskell’s signing was teased by Bellator earlier within the week, who circulated dimly-lit photographs of Haskell, being cautious to keep away from any noticeable options that will reveal his identification.
They then introduced his signing on Thursday, confirming that the previous rugby star had joined their roster and can compete as a heavyweight.
Haskell may be very acquainted with MMA and MMA-related coaching – he commonly cross-trained with the London Shootfighters health club whereas enjoying for Premiership Rugby aspect Wasps – and he even introduced MMA-related clips for UK broadcaster BT Sport’s UFC journal present, Past The Octagon.
Now Haskell is now coaching at London Shootfighters for the true factor, and is preparing alongside fellow professional fighters, together with British Bellator welterweight famous person Michael “Venom” Web page.
Critics will little question label Haskell’s signing as a publicity stunt, however for the previous England star, his foray into blended martial arts may be very, very actual, and as a person who has been in shut proximity to the athletes to compete within the sport week-in, week-out, he is aware of what he’s letting himself in for.
How will he fare? As an elite-level former rugby worldwide, he actually has the scale, the energy and the bodily instruments to be a severe presence contained in the Bellator cage. However will his abilities, and his chin, go the take a look at? Solely time will inform…