Martial arts has been a defining part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Some of my earliest memories are of watching my father pursue his black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. His dedication, discipline, and passion for martial arts left a lasting impression on me long before I ever stepped onto the mats myself.

As a young athlete, I wrestled for Hebron and later Thayer Central, where I developed a deeper appreciation for the discipline, toughness, and mental resilience that all forms of martial arts demand. But it wasn't until I faced the greatest adversity of my life that I truly understood what martial arts could become.

At 18 years old, I was sentenced to prison in Nebraska after escaping from jail. Between the ages of 18 and 24, I had one choice: continue down the path that brought me there or rebuild myself into a better man.

Prison is a harsh and unforgiving place, but adversity has a way of revealing who you are—and who you're capable of becoming. Those years forced me to develop discipline, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth. They changed the way I view life forever. Every day is a gift, and time is our most valuable resource. Don't waste it waiting for the perfect opportunity to change your life.

During my journey of rebuilding myself, I had the privilege of training alongside elite-level combat sports athletes in some of the country's most respected gyms. Those experiences taught me what it truly means to live and train like a champion—not only inside the cage, but in every aspect of life. The lessons I learned extended far beyond fighting; they shaped my character, my work ethic, and my purpose.

I have competed in mixed martial arts since 2014, and today my mission is simple: to help others discover the confidence, discipline, and resilience that martial arts has given me. Whether you're stepping onto the mats for the first time, preparing for competition, or simply looking to become a stronger version of yourself, my goal is to help you unlock your full potential.

                                       Hebron Jiu Jitsu & MMA was born out of one singular purpose...

                                    "Be the person you needed when you were younger" - Duane "Bang" Ludwig

 

Our Bang Muay Thai Program is one of the Best striking systems in the world, Developed by Bas Rutten, Duane Ludwig, & Trevor Wittman, three exceptional, elite striking coaches, each with pedigrees at the highest level of combat sports. I travel several times a year to Denver, Colorado to train with Sensei Ludwig at BMT HQ, to ensure that our curriculum continues to meet the highest possible standard. 

As a Native of Hebron, I hope to inspire the community around me, to find within themselves, the hope, that despite their current circumstance, or past choices, that they to, can rebuild themselves into a better individual, through hard work, and positive community of people around them. Now as a father, i focus on building the THIRD generation of Martial Artists in the Hawkins Family, and doing so with those same standards of the incredible instructors i continue to learn from. I operate two companies in the Thayer County, Hawkins Construction Services & Hebron Jiu Jitsu & MMA. 

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Weather your goal is weight loss, kids extra-curricular, self defense, or competitive, Hebron MMA is a place where we will meet you at your level, and help build you up from there. 

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I hope that sharing my story will help others begin to take the hardest step toward a better version of themselves.

The first step. 

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                                                                                                          See you on the mats - Coach Michael Hawkins - OSU