By: “Sargent Sexy” Kimberly Sargent

Training partners Jerrid Burke and Lawson McClure are ready to be taken serious after two big wins.  Jerrid beat out Mark Corum to advance to the 2^nd round of the Sports Fight X 155 lb tournament and Lawson dominated Ran Weathers at Wild Bill’s Fight Night forcing his opponent to yet another loss and increasing  McClure’s record to 4-2.  With a combined twelve years of mixed martial arts training between the two of them it’s easy to see how this Hardcore Gym duo is more than ready to shake things up.

I caught up with the both fighters and asked them a few questions.

Out of all the great talented gym options what made you decided to go with Hardcore Gym in Athens, Georgia with the Singers?

Jerrid: “Funny I don’t even think Adam and Rory know this but I actually had known for years I was going to train at Hardcore Gym. I had been training in Washington while I was in the Navy and planned to go to school at the University of Georgia. I knew The Hardcore Gym was in Athens after watching the first season of the Ultimate Fighter then I saw Rory on TUF 3 and later on watched Brian Bowles and Stephen Ledbetter’s WEC fights. What more could I ask for? A great gym with talented fighter right in the middle of Bulldog country. I followed through with my plan and the rest is history. The gym has turned out to be a great fit for me.”

Lawson: “I had been without a gym for over a year and had suffered my first loss as a pro when my friend told me I should visit Athens if I was serious about making a career out of fighting. After talking to Rory and Adam and meeting the guys on the team I was convinced that I needed to train with them.  I could tell that everybody at that gym supported and cared for one another and the fact that they welcomed me with open arms really made me feel like it was the right decision.”

You’ve been everything from Superman to the killer from the movie “Saw,” what goes into deciding what character you’ll play next?

Jerrid: “We have a pre planning committee 8 weeks out then a planning committee 4 weeks out. We take a vote on all the ideas proposed… and that’s a completely fabricated story, I’m not that important. I basically just try to think of an original idea that would elicit a reaction from the crowd and go with it. I take suggestions from friends but generally I just wait until the last minute and put something together. I think better under pressure.”

You just came off of a loss before this last fight, how important is it for a fighter to win his next fight after losing? And how great does it feel to know you just served up your last opponent Ran Weathers his 3^rd loss?

Lawson: “I think it’s important to keep everything in perspective, to me its all about progression. Everybody loses. Losing sucks but it teaches you about yourself but you don’t want to fall in the trap of accepting losses. Ran is a tough experienced opponent so I was determined to put myself in a place mentally and physically where I knew I had evolved. It was a serious boost in my confidence to beat him the way I did. It validated my hard work and determination.”

How crucial is it to have a talented training partner?

Jerrid: “You can only get so much better training with guys you are beating up every day. Having guys that can push you to your breaking point is pivotal in progressing as a fighter. In my case I need guys that aren’t afraid to grapple a guy in tight shorts often shirtless because that’s what I’m bringing to the table on a Wednesday and Lawson’s not afraid to sport that spandex either. Don’t let the spandex fool you, Wednesday’s at Hardcore separate the men from the boys.”

Lawson: “As a wrestler I’ve known for a long time that the best guy on the team is only as good as the guys that give him work in practice. You need guys to push you and to motivate you otherwise you stop progressing and learning.”

As a female we always envy men’s ability to eat what they want and drop weight at the drop of a hat, what do you two walk around at and what’s your diet entail to make fight weight?

Jerrid: (fights at 155) ”I walk around 175 to 180. I’m currently 180 but I’ve got several weeks until my next scheduled fight. When dieting I’ll start a balanced diet of protein, carbs and vegetables. I’ll cut the carbs out at dinner. I drink a gallon of water a day. Generally just eating healthy sheds the pounds.”

Lawson: (fights at 145) “I walk at about 165. I eat a lot of chicken and greens and start cutting back on my carbs. I keep the water coming in at all times and cut out sports drinks.”

Any particular pro fighter you attempt to mimic your style after or look up to?

Jerrid: “I wouldn’t say I mimic any fighter but I watch fights and pick up on techniques that I think may fit my style and try them out. Sometimes they work out and sometimes I look and idiot and I’m asked what the hell was that?”

Lawson: “I don’t really try and mimic anyone. I have my own unique style but I borrow things I like from my favorite fighters. Rich Franklin is a big inspiration because he is an intelligent fighter who can also roll up his sleeves and make it an old fashioned throw down.”

What’s your ultimate goal in the industry: large organization, trainer, gym owner, etc.?

Jerrid: “Right now I’m just going to college, training full time and having fun doing it. I’ve got no expectations but I know I’ve got some talent and I just want to see where it takes me. If I keep winning and putting on good fights I think the opportunities will present themselves and I’ll be ready.”

Lawson: “I really just want to be the best fighter I can and I’ll take whatever comes with that.”

I’m not sure what Adam and Rory Singer are doing in Athens to create such great athletes, but whatever it is it’s working.  Maybe it’s the hot coed’s, the mini shorts they fight in,  or something in the water, either way Hardcore Gym’s high caliber athletes have people from around the world wanting to be a part of their team!

Both fighters will be in action soon:

Burke- SportFightX 155lb Grand Prix Round 2 September 18th

McClure- September 11th in Chicago vs. Vince Ramos.