By TXMMA Staff | Photos: Hunter Robichaux
Hunter “Robo” Robichaux looks to follow in dad’s footsteps; Looking to continue the family tradition in MMA and in life
HOUSTON, TX, March 28, 2014 – Legacy Amateur Series 15 happens this Saturday night in Houston. One of the Five Fights to Watch at Legacy Amateur Series 15 features a young man by the name of Hunter Robichaux. The son of the first Legacy pro champion ever, Chad “Robo” Robichaux, Hunter is now making his pro debut. Like his dad he is aiming for big things not just in MMA but in his life, planning to join the US Marines. He’s also planning to be a world champion one day so he’s stepping in against the toughest opponent they could find for him.
Read on as Hunter Robo prepares to take on Corpus Christi’s Matt Hernandez this Saturday night in Houston.
TXMMA Interview – Hunter Robichaux (GB Magnolia)
Hunter Robichaux – Man… It feels great Mike! I truly feel blessed! I have been waiting for this opportunity my entire life. I’ve competed in wrestling and BJJ since I was 4 years old and now I feel like I have trained my whole life for this moment.
TXMMA – You’ve grown up in the fight world with your dad being a fighter, BJJ black belt, and also a coach. How was it growing up in that atmosphere and how do you think it gives you an advantage, if anything?
Hunter Robichaux – I remember walking around the Houston arena theater for the first legacy shows, I was there when my dad won the Legacy FC Pro 135lb title belt, so it will be awesome to finally get in there myself and fight for this awesome organization I watched grow as I was growing up.
I think being around that environment my whole life has really made things easier for me. I was there for my dad’s fights and camps in Strikeforce, Bellator, Legacy FC, and WSOF. But not just my dad… I grew up around all the other great fighters and watched them work hard my whole life. Now it is my turn and I think that experience give me an advantage. It has prepared me mentally in a way that not many people my age will have had… I’m really thankful for that.
TXMMA – It is one thing for it (fighting) to be in the family but why do you personally have a passion for it? Is it following in your dad’s footsteps or something else that drives you?
Hunter Robichaux – I love this sport and what it has evolved into. I want to follow my dad’s footsteps and be one of the best in the world! However, it is important to me that everyone knows the main reason I do this is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and to let people know about The True Lord and Savior… I can’t think of a better way than to go into that ring and win… to fight for that and share the word to the world by giving God the glory. I hope and pray that He will use me as an athlete to reach people like He used my dad!
Hunter Robichaux – Personally I have learned how to be a better person. The cornerstones of my life have been built on those mats… like my discipline, character, and work ethic. I have seen so many people’s lives transformed by those mats. That is what I love most.
TXMMA – How would you classify yourself as a fighter? BJJ guy? Well-rounded? etc.
Hunter Robichaux – I would consider myself a very well rounded fighter. I’m very athletic for my age and sharp in all aspects of the sport, but my main game will always be my wrestling!
TXMMA – This fight versus Matt Hernandez will be a tough one and you guys are very similar in the sense that you’ve both been doing this since a very young age. What are your thoughts on him as your first opponent?
Hunter Robichaux – First of all I want to say thank you to my opponent Mat’s family and his coaches for giving me such a worthy opponent. I know it will be a very tough match for us both!! Mat is no scrub or a typical easy first fight, he is a solid athlete he knows what he is doing, but so do I… and I am confident in myself that I will go out and secure the win.
TXMMA – A lot of fighters would want an ideal first fight as opposed to a true test. Why take such a tough opponent your first time out?
Hunter Robichaux – To be the best you have to beat the best, so we decided to fight one of the best 115 pounders we knew of. When Collin (Cantrell) offered the match we were excited to take the challenge!
Hunter Robichaux – It means devil dog in German it was given to the Germans in World War 1 for how fierce the US Marines fought. So I decided to make it my nickname in honor to Marines!
TXMMA – What are your goals in MMA (and other sports) in the near future?
Hunter Robichaux – I plan to be a World Champion one day! And I believe God has big plans for me!
TXMMA – How do you fill your non-training time? Do you have any other hobbies or priorities? What do you want to be when you grow older?
Hunter Robichaux – I love the outdoors. I fish and hunt a lot. That is what I mainly am doing when I am not training. I don’t go to the mall, the movies, hang out, or anything most teenagers do. I’m at the gym training or coaching, with my youth group at church, or in the woods and find something to do. I do plan to go in the United States Marine Corps reserves sometimes this year also! Another Robo family tradition – I’ll be a 3rd generation Marine.
TXMMA – Any last words for your opponent or the community before Saturday?
Hunter Robichaux – I would like to say thank you to Jesus Christ, without Him in me and my family’s life nothing would be possible. I would not be fighting right now if it was not for Him and this path He has laid for me!
I would like to say thank you to my Dad, Mat Wald, Jared Chaffee, Brad Anderson, Jody Trantham, Prof. Draculino, Alex Morono, and Kevin Martinez. Thank you Mr. Mick and Colin at Legacy, and my sponsors: Superior Shot Peening, Pirate Oil Field Services, Enlisted Nine, Vinnie Vincent Real Estate, and our foundation for wounded veterans: www.MightyOaksFoundation.org.