Ufc 124 Best Grappler: Dustin Hazelett

Dustin Hazelett is one of my favorite guys to see in the UFC. "Because of his knockout ability" you might ask us? No - he is honestly kind of smaller for his division. "Thanks to his record?" Heck no - Dustin's 12-6 (5-4 UFC record). "Thanks to his incredible new beard?" In part. In reality... I like Dustin Hazelett because of his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Here's a recap of Dustin as a fighter, and why I can't wait to see his BJJ exhibit at UFC 124.

So who is this Dustin Hazelett guy?

First of all, and perhaps most importantly, we have Dustin's aforesaid beard. It's pretty fierce, and I'm confident it presents him the slightest sliver of an edge in the fight. Maybe not.

Dustin Hazelett is a 170-pound, BJJ Black Belt in the Welterweight division of the UFC. Dustin's UFC record is a ordinary 5-4. However, we should say that he's fought with some serious injuries and one of those he lost to Josh Koscheck, who is headlining the UFC 124 card. Hazelett finished 4 of those 5 victories by submission. 9 of his 12 victories have been finished with a submission, so grappling is definitely his strength. He's a submission artist, and everybody recognizes it - among them is Dustin - which is why he's one of my most liked fighters.

The truest test of a grappler is to go up against a genuine wrestler, or striker, who is particularly defending against getting taken down. (Get ready for a clique) As the saying goes, the old adage holds true "The best offense is a good defense". And lots of sneaky fighters have snuck through bouts against a grappler - averting themselves to a victory.

Hazelett, who won "Sherdog's Submission of the Year" with an unbelievable armbar on Josh Burkman, has lost his last two fights via KO. Let's hope he's learned his lesson getting in the octagon with his UFC 124 canadian opponent, Mark Bocek. Bocek is a fair striker, and an even fairer grappler. Something tells me, however, that Bocek won't be aching to get to the ground in this fight.

Beyond the cage, Dustin Hazelett is a commendable guy. He's a great representative of BJJ in MMA. Dustin has embodied Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and he's showing it in the UFC octagon where the top fighters in the world are.

For Dustin's tremendous attitude, his BJJ skills, and his complete representation of BJJ in MMA, we wish him a "W" at UFC 124 via whatever submission he chooses.

By: Aiden Wesley

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