Joachim Hansen: "I Do Get a Little Tired of Being Asked About the UFC"

Win, lose or draw, following Joachim Hansen’s bout against Mitsuhiro Ishida at Dream 17 in Saitama, Japan, fans of the sport shouldn’t count on seeing the man they call “Hellboy” in the UFC’s Octagon any time soon.

Hansen, whose interest was sparked in martial arts after seeing Jackie Chan films in his youth, has long dreamt of being “the best.”

Despite the fact that the UFC is undoubtedly the world’s biggest organization and Hansen has proven time and time again that he belongs in the Octagon, the popular Norwegian fighter has thus far successfully evaded competing in the UFC—much to the chagrin of many of the sport’s most passionate fans.

Hansen, who had his first professional mixed martial arts bout over a decade ago, has competed in some of the world’s biggest organizations—with bouts in Shooto, Pride FC and Dream FC—and holds notable victories over Taknori Gomi, Gesias Cavalcante, Caol Uno, Yves Edwards and Shinya Aoki.

As decorated a veteran as almost anyone in the sport, Hansen has competed in six different nations and has held championship belts in Shooto and Dream FC.

Although the UFC has reportedly tried to court “Hellboy” a number of times, after getting what many believed to be a “low-ball” offer by the UFC following the organization’s acquisition of Pride FC, Hansen decided to take his talent elsewhere—and is yet to look back.

“Yes, I do get a little tired of being asked about the UFC,” Hansen laughed after being asked a number of Octagon-related questions during our interview.  

Although Hansen may never appear in the Octagon—thus depriving many mainstream fans of the sport the opportunity to see him compete—he is nevertheless appreciative of mixed martial arts supporters.

Moreover, for the record; Hansen doesn’t appear to be too upset by the notion of being overlooked by mainstream fans of the sport.

“True supporters of MMA—alongside the competitors—are the core of the sport...I don’t care if I’ve been overlooked by mainstream fans of the sport—only dead things go mainstream.”