James Haskell responds to MMA call-outs by Neil Best and Andy Powell

Everyone wants a piece of 'The Hask'.

As soon as James Haskell announced he was signing up for a Mixed Martial Arts stint with Bellator, the offers started to flood in. The former England and Lions flanker is currently in training ahead of an anticipated Bellator debut in early 2020. Haskell, who is part of the UK's House of Rugby show, told host Alex Payne and former England captain Mike Tindall about his new career path on the latest show. The 34-year-old has been using MMA training as part of a varied fitness regime for the last 15 years but admits he thought Bellator were initially getting in touch about him coming on-board to do some commentary. The Bellator offer involved him getting ready for some professional bouts and Haskell declared he would be putting in as much blood, sweat and tears to the endeavour that he did as a rugby player.

"For me, the reason I did it was, I missed the structure of playing rugby. I think that I did all I could in my rugby career and have been pretty successful. I would have loved to have gone to the World Cup but for the MMA stuff there is a lot of motivation. Fear is probably the biggest [motivation]. People in rugby put players on pedestals and say they are tough but there are people I've played with that are genuinely tough and quite handy, and know what they are doing. I take it very seriously... I will give it the best I can."

[caption id="attachment_205596" align="aligncenter" width="750"] (Picture credit: Lee Hamilton-Cooper)[/caption] Haskell is at pains to point out that he has a long history of MMA training and that his sporting switch is not some novelty act. He proclaimed:

"I don't want to be put in with Rio Ferdinand or Andrew Flintoff... Flintoff had never boxed before and then decided to train for a fight."

Given Haskell's wilfully outspoken manner, and his history of dishing out licks on the rugby field, he will not be short of potential opponents. Former Wales and Lions star Andy Powell has expressed his interest in throwing down with Haskell, as has ex Ulster and Ireland back-row, Neil Best. Jerry Flannery, who played with Best at the 2007 World Cup, commented, "You know what would be a great fight? Would be Neil Best and James Haskell. I would have my money on Neil Best for that one... he's an animal, man!" On the latest House of Rugby, Haskell took a moment to address the recent call-outs from the rugby fraternity.

"I'd like to sort out something with ex rugby players and current rugby players. Can everyone stop offering me out? Please! "Listen, I'm sure you boys are lovely chaps but ... you ain't f***ing paying me, so I'm not fighting you! It's very simple. "I'm sure it's for charity and it's great and it's going to help some people, but charity starts at home so stop inviting me out. I'm not going to fight you and I'm not going to fight anyone. I'm doing what my coaches tell me. If they say fight someone, I'll fight someone. "I'm a lover, not a fighter. You know, I kill people with chat and humour, not punches."

So there you have it, Powell and Best, if you want to take a clip at Haskell, go get yourself a Bellator contract and get a wave of momentum behind you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAPjK-ZMlrg The latest episodes sees host Alex Payne reunited with James Haskell and Mike Tindall.