Chris Honeycutt wants nothing more than to be a champion and reap the recognition that comes with holding the title. But he's in no hurry to get there.

While the 27-year-old prospect’s time in the professional ranks has been limited thus far, two decades on wrestling mats taught him the importance of patience. Honeycutt knows it will take a versatile skill set to defend the future title he’s aiming for, and the Fresno-based fighter has no qualms putting in the time to develop those weapons.

Lessons learned in Bellator

In the two years Honeycutt has competed under the Bellator banner, the focus has been growth. And sometimes that progress comes from the most unlikely places.

The former NCAA All-American suffered the first loss of his professional career in his rematch with veteran Paul Bradley, in a fight that very well could have derailed him.

“There is something to be taken from every fight that you can learn and progress from,” Honeycutt said. “As little of a lesson it was, the one that will probably weigh the most is my loss against Paul [Bradley]. In that fight, I allowed my adrenaline to dictate my actions.

“I was winning the first fight, and if it hadn’t gone to a no contest I believe I would have won the fight. I was so worked up and going into the second fight it felt like it was the third round of the first fight in my mind instead of the first round of a totally different thing. I wanted to pick up right where I left off and it cost me.”



It was a rough showing, but one Honeycutt believes made him a better fighter. He proved that in his next bout when he defeated Matt Secor at Bellator 153 back in April.

“I can’t just roll up into the pocket and start throwing bombs like a meatball," Honeycutt said. "I have to play the hand out from the start and stick to the game plan instead of trying to jump ahead. I have to stay patient and play to my strengths instead of trying to rush in and hurry myself.

“After taking a loss, whether it is in wrestling or fighting, it always makes the next time you compete a little harder to focus on because it becomes so imperative that you win. Matt Secor is a black belt in jiu-jitsu and that meant he wanted to be the on ground as much as I wanted to be there. I definitely experienced a lot of nerves going into that fight but got the dominant win.”

The next big challenge: Bellator 156

Although Honeycutt wants nothing more than to push full-steam ahead in his career, he’s come to realize every step must count in order to move forward. His next bout against Mikkel Parlo at Bellator 156 represents that next big challenge, and another stylistic puzzle to solve.

“[Parlo] is a tough dude. The only fight he’s struggled in was against Brennan Ward in a fight where he took a lot of punishment but never fell," Honeycutt said. "I don’t think I’m going to be able to knock him out on the feet, but that’s not what I do best anyway. I tried to do that against Paul [Bradley] and that didn’t work out for me.

“I have to go in there and do what I do best. I have to wear him down and then I can start to showcase some of the things I’ve been working on. Until then though, there’s no reason not to use my finest and sharpest tools. I’ll take him down, break his will physically and win by TKO.”

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While Honeycutt and Parlo have experienced success at a respectable clip inside the cage, the Dethrone Base Camp fighter is confident the difference in their respective pedigrees will make the difference on fight night.

Honeycutt has spent two decades in the grind, and swimming in deep water is something he doesn’t believe Parlo is prepared to do.

“He’s a good striker but it’s hard to be on point after you’ve been taken down and beaten up a bit,” Honeycutt said. “It’s hard to keep your hands up and throw with precision when your gas tank is drained and you’ve been on the receiving end of things.

“I’ve been wrestling a long time and that kind of tired doesn’t bother me. It’s different for guys who don’t have that background.”

First fight at middleweight

Honeycutt wants nothing more than to give his best and amplify the buzz that has surrounded him for years. He knows that is what it will take to make his way toward a title opportunity, but Honeycutt isn’t quite sure which division that run will be made in.

He’s been competing at welterweight since he joined Bellator in 2014, but his upcoming tilt against Parlo will come at the 185-pound limit. Honeycutt is looking forward to showing what he can do and expanding the options available to him.

“I’m facing a tough opponent with a good record,” Honeycutt said. “This being my first fight in Bellator at middleweight that’s a good statement to make. To get a dominant win over him will prove to the fans and viewers I can compete in both divisions.”