Hillary wins Worlds 2010. Photo: Regis Chen
She only spent seven months and 14 days as a brown belt. However, the world title she won in June after beating Carol DeLazzer in the final accelerated the process, and now Hillary Willliams, 22, is the latest black belt promoted by Westside MMA instructors Roli Delgado and Matt Hamilton.
“Got it (brown belt) one week before the No-Gi World Championship and took it off a week after the Gi World Championship. I need to stop doing IBJJF tournaments (laughs); it’s screwing me over!” jokes the stellar competitor from Little Rock, Arkansas.
Then, she reflects. “I don’t know, I put it on and think, ‘Wow, I really need to get my brown belt back.’ I have SO much to learn, so many mistakes (to correct)… And it’s difficult to imagine that I should be wearing it. But my instructors love me and know what’s best for me, so I just have to suck it up!” Hillary says laughing.
“The awesome part is that (Rodrigo) Cavaca was there. And (Roberto) Cyborg and Renato Tavares both signed for my black belt. I really felt the love from my friends.”
Check out the video of Hillary getting her new belt here.
