EXCLUSIVE
Crawford has been training at the Gracie Barra gym in Burbank, CA where the guy best known for playing Huell recently earned a stripe for his white belt. Hey, gotta start somewhere!
The gym's owner -- Alberto Crane (standing next to Crawford in the photo above) -- tells TMZ Sports he's been impressed with Crawford so far ... saying most guys Crawford's size can't do what he does.
Crane says Crawford, who is also a standup comedian, has been keeping things light at the gym, telling us, "He is so much fun to work with. He cracks a ton of jokes, he's a real funny guy and a pleasure to have around."
As for getting his first stripe, Crane says Crawford could not have been more excited: "He was pumped up. He said he couldn't wait to brag to his son about his first stripe."
