Mixed Martial Arts is the fastest growing sport in the world today. Because of its growing popularity, more and more athletes are trying their hand at MMA and even crossing over from other sports to give mixed martial arts a try. Here in Memphis, we have a fighter who has not only crossed over, but is making huge strides in this sport, and his name is Brian “The Law” Hall.

Brian is 12-2 as an amateur fighter who fights out of Memphis Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. Brian began his combative sports career at Millington High School where he was a state champion wrestler.

But to succeed in MMA, Brian went to Memphis Judo and Jiu-Jitsu to add depth and dimension to his fighting. According to Memphis Judo and Jiu-Jitsu gym owner Dave Ferguson, “Brian has improved in every facet of the sport. His Muy Thai has improved greatly, as well as his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is a completely different fighter than he was just one year ago.”

On June 10, 2010, V3 fight fans submitted more than 40,000 votes for who they wanted to see fight for the first-ever V3 Bantamweight title. Brian Hall and Cody Lane received the honor. Brian defeated Lane and this fight went on to win “Fight of the Year,” in another fan vote.

Brian successfully defended his V3 title by beating number one contender Jesse Parker at the Delta Fair on V3’s one year anniversary show. According to V3 Fights’ president Nick Harmeir, “It’s exciting for me to see how much he has grown as a fighter. He is very well-rounded, and his confidence level is up. He comes into the cage ready to go to war and we’re lucky to have him as our champion. He’s one of the top amateurs in the state and is definitely one of those guys who can go on to that next level.”

Amateur fighters don’t yet earn a paycheck, so until he turns pro, Brian will continue working in the Memphis Police Department. Brian started with the MPD by teaching combative skills to recruits. Brian has since recently been named the Memphis Police Department boxing coach where he runs a gym designed to keep kids off of the streets and do something positive with their lives.

Brian’s says his biggest accomplishment though, is not his fight career or his job with the MPD, but being a full time husband to his wife, Sarah, and father to his two children Alyssa (6) and Jalen (10). “What makes it such an amazing thing is that he juggles quite a bit in his life: full time job, family man and fighter. He is phenomenal with his time management, goal setting and work ethic. I think this shows his maturity, not just as a fighter, but as a man.” states Ferguson.

Brian’s next fight is on November 19 in Jackson, MS for the very prestigious MMA promotion, Strikeforce. He is fighting Thomas Vazquez who is the last person to defeat him and he is hoping to avenge that loss.

Written by Rodrigo Galvan, Photo by Jay Johnson