Before we end the year, we want to recognize a rookie fighter in our community – Grant Hendrickson. Grant won this year’s Rookie Rumble in August alongside Kyllian Twiss. Grant also had the privilege to represent Team USA at IMCF 2023 in Spain. Congratulations to Grant!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING FOR ARMORED COMBAT?
Just over 2 years.
DO YOU HAVE ANY BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE IN MARTIAL ARTS OR OTHER SPORTS?
I do! I’ve played football and some wrestling since 5th grade. I got a scholarship to play noseguard at Menlo College and got into Kajukenbo and LARPing when I moved to the Pacific Northwest.
HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT ARMORED COMBAT AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN?
A friend I met through LARPing is how I found out about buhurt, and figured with my background in sports and being amtgarders favorite himbo barbarian, I would love buhurt. I took to it fairly quickly and I’ve had the opportunity to participate in 2 world championships in the 2 years I’ve been in the sport.
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT IN YOUR FIRST FIGHT? CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE?
Definitely! I started in soft kit and my background in LARPing and wrestling helped. I did well against some of the others that were new and that gave me a false sense of confidence for when I put armor on. By the time I made the switch to armor, Craig Ivey was in town visiting and I thought I would be able to rely on my athleticism to dominate the way I had in amtgard and football. But I was sorely mistaken, quickly burned through my gas tank as he just absorbed my efforts to throw him around. Once I was gassed, he just tossed me on my ass and I cramped up so bad I was sore for a week after. Super humbling experience, definitely would recommend it!
WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED WEAPON? DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVORITE?
I tend to favor a Dane axe. I can use it in 1 or 2 hands, have decent reach, and use the haft to try to intercept poleaxe strikes, but I tend to try to keep my offhand free to grapple and throw.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME POSITIVE ASPECTS THAT COME FROM THE SPORT?
The best workout you could ask for, hands down. I’ve had the opportunity to compete all over the country, and overseas in Serbia and Spain. While my childhood dream of being a UN Ambassador never came true, I’m honored to have the opportunity to facilitate “diplomacy through violence” and one of my favorite memories in the sport was being a mercenary for the Mexican team, even clashing against my own United States homies in the 16v16, earning myself the nickname “El Corsario.”
WHAT IS YOUR FIGHTING STYLE – IF YOU HAVE ONE?
I’m very grapple-heavy. As it seems to be the meta these days and my background in wrestling and martial arts helps in that regard. I am working on making my strikes more of a threat as Joseph Brandts knees and Jaye Brooks 2 hander game have inspired me to branch out of my comfort zone and become a more well-rounded fighter.
DO YOU THINK FIGHTING CHANGES WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON? HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU PERSONALLY?
I feel most like myself when I’m competing. I’m a very passionate, high-energy “frat boy golden retriever” type as some have said. And that doesn’t always fit the mold or can rub people the wrong way. I’ve found this sport has allowed me to be myself, find other weirdos, and participate in no-holds-barred violence in a way football and amtgard just don’t compare to due to safety reasons. It’s truly better than (but definitely no replacement to) therapy. My mentor, Blaine Marks has a saying that helps ground me when my frustrations with life bubble up: “Leave the monster in the cage.” And it refers to how buhurt helps me, and others like me in the sport, express their big emotions in a healthy, productive, and consensually violent environment. There’s truly nothing like this sport and I’m thankful to be a part of it. There is no question that buhurt has changed my life.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE FOR NEW PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE SPORT?
Be humble. Get your ass kicked by badasses in the sport and learn from your mistakes. Do not get involved with the drama in the sport. There are plenty of assholes beating their chest in this sport that want you to be a part of their cult of personality, but people always see their true colors in the end. Find people you like to fight with, drink with, and chill with. This sport is big enough to be welcome in all circles. Don’t let the haters discourage you and keep you from experiencing all this sport has to offer. Buhurt is Love!
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE FUTURE OF ARMORED COMBAT SPORTS?
I would like to see buhurt take off and become a spectator sport worth televising, with the potential for sponsorships to help offset the costs fighters put into the sport. I went to school for a business degree and would love to be a part of any kind of promotion you have going for your team. I am passionate about this sport and the community and want to help it grow. Feel free to reach out!
ANY FINAL WORDS YOU WANTED TO MENTION?
Always look for the positives and don’t need yourself to appease others. Anytime you have a gathering of people, you’re going to have some kind of drama. If you get dragged into it, your experience is going to suck. Play dumb, ignore the haters, and find mentors worth emulating. Johnny Porter is a great example of this. Badass fighter that is liked by everyone. Jaye Brooks and The Knights Hall folks in Boston are great people and put on excellent camps, check ’em out! And I dream of being half the badass Matthew Creedican is with a poleaxe someday. And I hope to inspire other newbies the way they have someday. I am in this for the long haul and hope to die with an axe in my hand. (Just no time soon 😜)
