Ross Hanson had it all going for him. A record setting win streak that culminated in a GCC Heavyweight Championship victory, part ownership in a successful gym, and no obvious setbacks that would stop him.
But at the age of 20, just a few weeks before his 21st birthday, Ross walked away. He relinquished his title without losing it in the cage, voided the short remainder on his contract, left Tundra, and totally disappeared from the public eye.
Now nearly six months later, we know why. At his modest home just outside of Columbus, Ohio Ross agreed to answer a few short questions for the first time since winning the title. As no video was taken, there is only a transcript of an audio file available to the public.
Ross Hanson wasn't injured. He was, and still is, in peak physical condition. Ross wasn't holding out for more money. He had everything he needed, which wasn't much given his childhood. Ross wasn't tired of fighting. He still trains every day to stay mentally ready for whatever may come.
The reason Ross Hanson walked away?
He became a father.
The child's mother was unable to care for his son due to an unspecified terminal illness, and arranged for the child to be placed with his father (who was not made aware that he had a son.)
Somehow, the child instead wound up at the home of Ross' father. After some time, it was made clear that Ross was the father of the boy after a DNA test.
Ross chose his son over his career.
And in his own words, "I regret nothing."