By Chris Rockwell

You’ll be disappointed if you’re expecting a loud and cocky meat head. Josh Hinkle is known by all as “a good guy”, quiet, humble and friendly…with the battle skills of a trained assassin. I’ve known Josh since he was fifteen years old and wrestling for my brother-in-law’s freestyle team. It’s been cool watching his athletic career develop over the years, culminating into his dominating TKO over Corey Cortez the other night on the IFC federation tour at Gold Country Casino. The mosh pit energy pouring out of the cage and stands was best described by Pantera’s whiskey fueled track, “God damn Electric!!” I am now convinced that Josh Hinkle is on track to become a top ranked MMA fighter. And it couldn’t happen to a better guy…

The first time I watched Hinkle train I witnessed him scaling the near vertical face of the Oroville Dam in the brutal summer heat of late August (Oroville Dam is the tallest dam in the United States at 770 feet tall). He climbed the modern day pyramid like Schwarzenegger’s futuristic cyborg character in “The Terminator”. Not only is the face of the dam ridiculously steep, but Josh was navigating a battle field of ankle shattering river rocks and rattle snakes. Bear Gryllz would’ve been impressed. I know I was. When he reached the peak he caught his breath for a couple minutes, and then looked up with a sinister grin of pleasure from enduring his rendition of the Bataan Death March. WTF!?!? It certainly left a lasting impression on me.

Predictably, Hinkle went on to a stellar wrestling career in high school. And, like many standout wrestlers today, he took up mixed martial arts (MMA). But Josh approached his new challenge with a focus and work ethic that I rarely see in an athlete. I’ve had the opportunity to compete against Heisman trophy winners and NFL Hall of Fame level players. And, because of King Duce, I’ve spent time around the elite in MMA and action sports. I know when an athlete has “it”, and I know when they don’t. Josh Hinkle has “it”. And I would rank his mental strength and willingness to be coachable as the most valuable guns in his expanding arsenal.

But Hinkle will be the first to dismiss any notion that he is great or special. His humility is sincere. He’s driven by an internal compass, more powerful than any accolade bestowed upon him in the cage. Josh Hinkle is competing against himself, trying to tap every last drop from his vast reservoir of potential. He knows what he wants, he knows himself, and he knows what he must do to reach his goal. I’ll bet on that attitude every time (in sports, business and life). There’s an old saying from the legendary Chinese military general Sun Tzu that sums up the future of Josh Hinkle’s journey in MMA, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
Duce Up!!

“Bad” Brad Mcdonald (3-0) a 16yr old phenom out of Oakdale CA, represents Last Stand fight team, made his professional debut on 11.02.2008 for Gladiator Challenge in Porterville CA at Eagle Mountain casino, winning by Triangle Choke over Rob Witlock ( 0-2) in under two minutes. Since than he has gone on to win two more fights in 2009 most recently at Red Hawk Casino with a win over a very tough Alex Gonzales who was undefeated at the time. Brad is set to take on Tommy Taylor on December 12th 2009 at RedHawk casino

Brad has shown the heart and determination to do what is necessary to prepare him for that next level… Read More »

By Chris Rockwell

Marcus Boness and I walked into Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco and it was completely empty. The only sign of life were the promoters and roadies running around assembling the ring, lighting and testing the sound system for the packed crowd that would fill this place later that night. The anticipation and loud music sent adrenaline through my veins; I was ready to jump into the ring until I looked up at the big screen of footage they were playing from a previous fight that left one of the fighters knocked out cold with one strike to the face. I figured I better chill the hell out and take my seat in the stands and come to the realization that my days of battle were clearly behind me… Read More »

By Chris Rockwell

Mark Twain famously wrote, “The coldest winter I ever experienced was the Summer I spent in San Francisco.” I used to think that was an exaggerated Twainism. But it finally made perfectly good sense, as the frigid salty air bit deep into my bones. In less than a three hour drive, due west, I went from 95 degrees in the Nor Cal foothills to a bone chilling 57 degrees and fog. What the fuck?? Only in California. Where else can you go snowboarding in Tahoe in the morning and then go diving in the Pacific Ocean in the afternoon with great white sharks? That’s why I love this crazy and amazing state. And that kind of diversity is why King Duce exists today.

View on Vimeo.

Anyway, I was on my way to a big Pay Per View MMA fight to watch our first sponsored fighter named “Bad Brad” fighting for a title belt against a fighter from Peru. I was stoked and curious because this was new territory for us. And like usual, I had no idea what to expect. Now, for those of you who know nothing about the fastest growing sport in the world, or have a predisposed idea of two men fighting like barbarians in a cage like gladiators in the debauched Roman days, just keep an open mind and follow our journey through this sport and give it a fair chance. These athletes possess amazing ability, heart and discipline beyond most anything I’ve been around. And I’m a former Division 1 college football player who had the opportunity to play with and against many Hall of Fame greats. I used to think MMA was just a bunch of meat head cave men that could barely write their names or speak. I have to thank my brother-in-law for showing me the inside of the sport years ago as MMA was just getting started. He was training local fighters and invited me to a fight one night and it changed my mind immediately.

View on Vimeo.

I showed up to Kezar Pavilion, on the UC San Francisco campus to meet up with the King Duce crew, Rob Pitman (project manager), Beiron Andersson and his son Christian (photography), Hayves Streeter (video), and of course our website guru Matthew David (I noticed the business card he gives to the ladies says “Director of Web Systems”). The first thing I noticed as I neared the building was the line of thousands waiting to get in. Rob quickly ushered me past the fans and into the pavilion like a secret service agent. We cruised around the still empty building studying the set up and meeting the promoters and guys working to set everything up. It was a big production. Within an hour the place was packed and the music exploded and the lights went down. I had decided to sit in the nose bleed seats up near the rafters with Rob and Matt so I could take everything in and not be distracted. Matt eventually disappeared and made his way down to the floor seats at ringside to sit next to a table full of girls. (They ended up inviting him to a VIP party and the rest is history.)

View on Vimeo.

We sat patiently through some good fights waiting to catch our first glimpse at our fighter “Bad Brad”. Finally he came marching down the walkway towards the ring and the music and lights gave him the appearance of a warrior heading into battle. It was intense and exciting to see him wearing one of our Red New Era King Duce hats with pride. Suddenly the bell rang and it was on. The two fighters battled, trading punches and kicks until they could barely hold their bodies up. After the final round the announcer claimed victory to “Bad Brad” and we all went crazy!

And keeping with King Duce tradition of having a little controversy with everything we do, a fight broke out over the decision and the other fighter’s bench cleared and a fight between managers almost ensued.

Immediately after the fight Rob and I quickly made our way to the locker room to see our newly crowned champion to celebrate and congratulate Brad for his performance. He was beat up, wearing his title belt and couldn’t stop smiling while Beiron and Hayves captured the moment. I stood in the shadows watching this young man feel the thrill of a hard fought victory. It’s something that I can’t describe unless you’ve given everything of yourself and came out on top against a worthy competitor. He deserved this moment fully and I was honored to witness the beginning of a new chapter for King Duce.