Fight veteran brings his talents to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Those around the Basin who know Anthony Hamlett will likely recognize him as a seasoned veteran of the mixed martial arts world; a former professional fighter who now spends his days training athletes and promoting events throughout Eastern Washington.

A fighter by trade in the ring and in the training room, it might surprise some that Hamlett doesn't view himself as a fighter outside those arenas.

"I don't like fighting; I'm the person that walks away from the fight," said Hamlett. "I like competing though."

Early on, Hamlett got his competition on the wrestling mat. He placed in the notoriously difficult California State Tournament in high school, and went on to wrestle for the Air Force from 1992 to 2000, three times earning All-American honors. One day, though, fate would inject itself into Hamlett's life, and his mixed martial arts career was suddenly born.

"I walked into a gym just like this, and they asked me if I wanted to try it," said Hamlett during a break in one of his classes at Anytime Fitness. "I fought that weekend."

Hamlett had little difficulty with the transition from wrestling to mixed martial arts, winning his first fight in dominant fashion.

"I was training at the Olympic Training Center at the time, so I was always in shape," recalled Hamlett. "In my first fight, I fought a guy that was 9-0 … I won and won a title."

Having mastered the competition in the local amateur ranks, Hamlett turned professional and begin competing against some of the best fighters in the world.

"I fought everywhere," said Hamlett, whose professional career took him across the country and half-way around the world. In 2000, Hamlett placed fourth in the prestigious Abu Dhabi Combat Club World Submission Wrestling Championships in the United Arab Emirates, an event that attracts top fighters and grapplers from around the world. Hamlett has also held his own in fights against competitors from the Ultimate Fighting Championships and other high-profile MMA organizations and has trained with UFC veteran Jeff Monson's American Top Team.

However, last January, Hamlett decided to retire his gloves and move on to other endeavors.

"I've accomplished all there is to accomplish," said Hamlett when asked why he stepped away from the ring.

Those endeavors, which include promoting mixed martial arts events and teaching classes such as a cardio-kickboxing class he offers through Anytime Fitness, are what led him to recently relocate from Olympia to Moses Lake.

"I ended up here just by chance," recalled Hamlett. "They were looking for a cardio-kickboxing teacher, they asked me if I'd be interested in opening up here, and I said 'sure."

Hamlett also teaches classes in grappling, kickboxing and mixed martial arts at the gym. In addition to these regular classes, Hamlett trains a group of local MMA fighters for competition in the ring.

"I've got about eight guys that are actual fighters that train with me," said Hamlett. "That's one of the reasons I was interested in moving here. Wrestlers have the most success in the sport. I know there are so many high-level wrestlers (in the area); If they train with me, I know they'll be successful."

"A lot of the local guys had no where to train," added Hamlett.

One of those fighters training with Hamlett is Rene Thor, Hamlett's girlfriend and a kickboxing specialist that will be fighting tomorrow night at the Grant County Fairgrounds. The show, one of two Hamlett is bringing to Moses Lake this year, is scheduled to feature four women's MMA bouts in addition to a card of local fighters fans of the sport have seen in past events. Tickets for the event, which begins at 7 p.m. are still available.