Special-Education Teacher Patrick “Bam Bam” Hutton Showcases Heart In and Out of the Cage

HOUSTON, December 12, 2011 – “They might hurt me one day but they don’t know any better. They’ll love me again the next day,” says Houston-based MMA fighter Patrick Hutton. Any other time and this statement could be referring to one of his opponents in the cage but this time, he’s referring to the special needs students he mentors in his position as a teacher at the Cambridge School in Humble ISD. That’s where Patrick works with autistic, mentally-challenged students that are ordered into the school due to behavioral issues.

“I love these kids,” he says about his position. That’s a statement one hears often from education professionals but it holds special meaning in this case. “I got a kid that’s about 6’4” 375 lbs. and another one that is about 6’3” and over 200+ lbs,” he says about his current crop of students. “These boys came into the district and nobody wanted to deal with them because they were so big and considered dangerous. I’m not saying I’m special or anything but I look at it as my mission to teach these guys life skills and how to behave. I think I was blessed to do this. These are God’s kids I’m working with. Those are his angels and as mean as they can be, I know they have the biggest hearts and they love me to death. I just want them to have a chance in the real world.”

Burning the candle at both ends, Hutton also doubles up on his workload by both teaching and training at the Jason David Frank’s Rising Sun Karate Academy in North Houston. After teaching at his school during the day, the former boxer also known as “Bam Bam” travels to the RSKA academy where he coaches students from the ages of 4 to 75 in boxing and MMA. Combining those responsibilities added with his job as a teacher and his own training and it can get physically exhausting for the 36 year old. “I get up early in the morning, teach, go to the gym, coach, train, and get home at 10 at night. I take a quick shower, get something to eat, go to sleep, and do it again the next day.”

Why does he do it? The answer is simple. “I don’t to be one of those guys sitting around 20 years later talking about what I could have or should have been. I love fighting because it’s just you and another man in the cage saying “I am” when it comes to proving who’s the better man that night. The competition is scary as hell and if you’ve never been in there, let me tell you it’s so scary that I don’t why I do it sometimes. But then again, I think that’s what I like about it too. To be out there in front of all those people and finding out what I’m made of is a good feeling. There are days I don’t want to train and some days I just feel like being a normal person but this is still fun and it keeps me busy plus I like to compete.”

Patrick Hutton Set for Sixth MMA Bout at Legacy Fighting Championship 9 this Friday

Patrick “Bam Bam” Hutton last made an appearance in the cage this past April, winning a split decision. This Friday night at Legacy Fighting Championship 9, he’ll be looking for his fourth pro win against fellow striker Noel Ligon. Talking to him about both bouts, it quickly became apparent that Hutton is in a league of his own as far as nice guys doing this (MMA) strictly for the love of the sport. He may be competing in a violent sport but this man seemingly holds not an ounce of malice in his heart. Not any more than necessary at least.

“My last fight with Patrick Bierschwale, I never met him before I fought him. I try to stay away from those guys (opponents) until after the fight because everybody is someone’s father, son, or husband. I know chances are they’re nice guys and I’ll like them if I meet them. Anyways, I saw Pat coming up to me at weigh-ins before we fought and I’m thinking in my head, “Damnit, I don’t want him to come talk to me man.” He came over and he was kidding around and being really nice and I just had to tel him I wish he didn’t come over to talk to me. He kind of looked at me funny so I told him that I read an article about him. I knew he was a dad and Sunday School teacher and a good guy but I didn’t want to have to like him until after the fight, so he started laughing. It’s kind of the same thing with Noel. A lot of times when you pick up a fight you ask around about your opponent and the first thing everyone’s said about him is that he’s a really nice and good guy.”

“A lot of guys do that whole squaring off or mugging off when it comes to the time before the fights and I don’t do that. You get further in life by helping people. It goes a long way to treat people the way they want to be treated. I respect anybody with the guts to get in there so good luck to him. I’m coming to get him just like I’m sure he’s coming to get me. I’m sure if you ask either of us, we’ll both say we’re going to win and that’s great. I think he’s a really good striker and a great opponent for me. I actually like the way he fights. He moves and he’s active. I think I’ll stop him to be honest with you whoever comes in with the best game plan and can execute it will win. I’m ready to go anywhere. It’s going to be a fun fight for the fans.”

Fighter Acknowledgements

“Camp has been great at RSKA with Jason David Frank, Kolton England, Ron Kaufman, Ramiro Cortina, and everyone else. I’m blessed to be at an awesome gym where we have hundreds of people supporting us whether it’s with tickets or shirts or anything else. Also Raymond Bell and those guys at Gracie Barra have been really helpful also. As always, George Foreman has been a mentor and has given me a lot of mental/spiritual advice. I also got some help from when I was back in the Quad-Cities for the holidays. Guys like Jeremy Anderson, Pat Miletich, and Steve Rusk have given me some good words of advice and everyone here has been really supportive. My school district, friends, sponsors, and everyone in the community where I live…I’m thankful and feel blessed for all the support. Thanks to Mick Maynard and Legacy for giving me the opportunity to get in there this Friday. Legacy is going to be one of the best promotions in the country and I’m proud to be a part of this. I’m humbled and grateful. Thank God for giving me the courage to get in there and out on a show.” – Patrick “Bam Bam” Hutton

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About Mike Calimbas

Mike Calimbas is a mainstay within the Texas MMA and Grappling scene and a frequent contributor to TXMMA.com and other publications, online and print, as writer, photographer, and analyst. To contact Mike for any reason, feel free to add him to your network through the Facebook and Twitter links directly below. Also, follow along on Twitter via @TXMMAfeed (#MMA) and @mikecalimbas (everything else)!

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