Posts Tagged ‘highlight’

Danny Castillo has a winning ritual

by on May 14, 2012 1:00:12 PM in Features, Fighter Features   |   No Comments »

UFC lightweight fighter, Danny Castillo (photo courtesy of Combat Lifestyle)

Danny Castillo may not believe in superstitions, but when there is a winning streak involved, he can’t strip away tradition.

Team Alpha Male member, Castillo (Twitter: @lastcall155), has been a staple with the Zuffa organization since 2008.  Compiling 9-4 record since starting with the WEC, Castillo successfully joined the UFC with the merger and has produced four wins and one loss, which was by the hands of Jacob Volkmann.

Castillo recently extended his win streak to three in a row when he silenced John Cholish at “UFC on Fox 3: Diaz vs. Miller.”  Even though it was a 15-minute brawl, the battered Castillo is having trouble staying out of the gym, days after the fight.

“Winning that fight definitely motivates me more,” Castillo said with MMA Beatdown on the MMADieHards Radio Network.  “So I’m trying to stay out of the gym, but I was already back in there today.  I’ve got a few bumps and bruises, but I think I find more motivation with wins than I do with losses sometimes.  I’m already thinking about new things I want to do, new camps I want to visit and I just want to get better; I’m constantly thinking about fighting.”

Where most fighters have a pecking order of who they want to fight next, “Last Call” is keeping a wide outlook on the situation and not getting ahead of himself.  With the personal goals already set for the year, Castillo is going to leave the fight picks to the pros.

“I want to try and crack that top ten in the next year or come close to it,” said Castillo.  That’s been my goal and I’m looking for a big fight here the next fight or the fight after.  It doesn’t really matter to me; I think that Joe Silva has done a great job in match making for me.  It seems like he is picking the fights for me to win, so whatever he has for me I’m confident that I’m going to keep the win streak going.”

While assisting with the training on one half of “The Ultimate Fighter: Live” with Team Faber, Castillo has had the opportunity of exploring new ventures and experiences training in Las Vegas.  Since his last victory in New Jersey, Castillo is back home in Sacramento, but still yearns for the guidance of a different coaching.

Finding it beneficial training with Sergio Penha in Vegas, Castillo wants to make a trip back, but he has also found some help more close to home.

“I’m just trying to find the best guys I can,” admitted Castillo.  “Caesar Gracie’s is not too far, so I wouldn’t mind cross training with them.  There are a couple of different coaches that I want to work with; I still want to be going to Vegas and try to get out there for two week training camps every now and then.”

It may not be well known because of the strength of his wrestling, but Castillo has been an avid boxing fan from his childhood days and is appreciating the art even more so today.  In an effort to expand his skillset, Castillo visited the Mayweather Boxing Club to sharpen his tools.

“I was able to hit mitts with Jeff (Mayweather) and work my boxing there, sparring with a few pro boxers,” Castillo said.  “To improve on my boxing is definitely a confidence builder and is making me feel really comfortable out there.  Once I put everything together, I’m going to be making a run at that title.”

Putting everything together is one thing for Castillo, but the other has a little bit more to do with habit.  The California native is admittedly not superstitious, but has noticed a continuing trend that may be the key to his success.

When most fighters are sweating and putting their bodies through the torments of cutting weight the night before weigh-ins, Castillo finds another way of passing the time.

“I used to be really superstitious, but not so much lately.  I don’t really believe in that, but I do have some fun rituals.  This fight was the seventh fight that I’ve won where I went to the strip club the night before the weigh-ins.

“My girlfriend isn’t too hot about it, but 7-0, that’s pretty crazy.  For some reason, I win when I go.”

Daniel Straus to defend NAAF’s belt while waiting for Freire, Curran winner in Bellator

by on May 14, 2012 10:18:39 AM in Videos   |   No Comments »

MMADieHards,com caught up with Daniel Straus following his victory over Marlon Sandro at Bellator 68 to win the Bellator Season 6 featherweight tournament.

King Mo says F the purists, willing to fight with or against “Rampage” Jackson

by on May 12, 2012 8:17:22 PM in Videos   |   No Comments »

Recent Bellator/TNA employee Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal. (Esther Lin/Strikeforce)

Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal talked to MMADieHards.com about Bellator and TNA Impact.  Lawal also elaborated on fighting Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in Bellator, and then becoming tag-team partners with the former UFC light heavyweight champ in TNA Impact.

“The Ultimate Fighter: Live” Episode 10 Recap

by on May 11, 2012 11:09:09 PM in Features, Fighter Features   |   No Comments »

James Vick landing an uppercut on route to securing semi-final spot in TUF: Live (Photo courtesy of fightbulletin.net)

As the tenth episode of “The Ultimate Fighter: Live” begins, we watch some highlights from the previous week’s episode, in which Andy Ogle successfully defeats Mike Rio.  Also, the validation of this week’s dual quarterfinal matchups: Team Faber’s Joe Proctor vs. Team Cruz’s James Vick is first. Then it’s Team Faber’s Michael Chiesa vs. Team Cruz’s Justin Lawrence.

UFC president Dana White made a visit to the gym in order to announce Cruz’s blown ACL. The knee was popped in training, and he says an MRI confirmed he’ll be out for what White says is, “at least nine months.”  White confirms in front of the teams that he will secure another opponent for Faber.

With Cruz out of the fight, White immediately confirms he’s sticking around and the introduction of an interim belt for Faber’s fight.  While disappointed, Cruz still admits he hopes Faber beats whomever he fights.

Not wasting any time, the first bout gets on its way with Proctor giving up a considerable reach and height advantage to Vick.  Both fighters start off tentatively, with Vick getting the better of the early exchanges.  Proctor starts to find his range midway through the opening round, landing some heavy strikes, but Vick marches on and finishes the round with strong combinations.

Starting out the second time, Proctor came out of the corner aggressive trying to make up for the first round. Vick manages to keep his distance and ends up taking the fight to the mat.  With side control established, Team Cruz’s, Vick, decides to bring the fight back to their feet and the combatants finish the second round swinging.

With both coaches expecting a possible third sudden-death round, the judge’s unanimously decide that Vick moves on to the semi-finals.

For the second quarter-final bout of the night, Lawrence started the round trying to keep distance between him and his opponent, but it was inevitable, Chiesa grabs a hold of his foe and drags him to the ground.  From then on, it was an onslaught of submission attempts by Chiesa on his back.  While he successfully locked up a few submissions, Chiesa was unable to finish the fight.

Lawrence is ready for this second round and comes out as if the first round never happened.  Rocking Chiesa with and overhand right, he struggles for a takedown, but is unsuccessful.  Once again, Lawrence comes in strong, but this time with body shots that drop Chiesa to the ground in pain.  Lawrence follows, but is unable to capitalize and the round ends.

Waiting for a verdict, White sticks his head in the cage and announces the news of a third round of action.  Flipping the switch, Lawrence achieves a quick takedown, but in unfamiliar waters, Chiesa turns the tides and sweeps into top position.  Lawrence is exhausted and can only cover up from Chiesa’s strikes until referee, Josh Rosenthal, steps in to stop the bout.  Team Fabers, Chiesa, now moves on to the semi-final bracket.

With the season’s first two quarterfinals complete, the remaining two matchups are: Team Cruz’s Vinc Pichel vs. Team Faber’s Chris Saunders and a bout between teammates, Team Faber’s Al Iaquinta and Andy Ogle.

A Book in Review: Chael Sonnen: The Voice of Reason – A VIP Pass to Enlightenment

by on May 10, 2012 6:03:27 PM in Features, Fighter Features   |   No Comments »

If you are planning to read Chael Sonnen: The Voice of Reason in hopes to get a laugh at senseless literature, you will be disappointed because the book offers a lot more.

As the reader opens the book they will immediately be greeted with a foreword from none other than Jesus Christ, followed by a list of items you will need in order to read the book properly.  It is a hilarious beginning, as Sonnen (Twitter: @sonnench) then takes the reader on a telling of his experiences leading up to previous bouts he has competed in or had some part in.  These duties included cornerman, baggage handler, stacker of chairs, and exploited, well-intentioned doofus.

Then the book backtracks to Sonnen’s younger days in West Linn, Ore.  The author recounted his wrestling experiences, which included grappling with the notorious Crips and Bloods street gangs, attending a multitude of funerals and the impact coach Roy Pittman had on Sonnen’s life.

Numerous chapters throughout the book show a humble side of Sonnen.  He talks about his political career going up in smoke after being convicted of money laundering.  The infraction resulted in Sonnen losing his real estate license and having his right to vote revoked.  Sonnen also talked about his late father and the relationship the two of them had.  It was a glimpse of Sonnen’s personality that not many have had the opportunity to see.

Sonnen delves into politics and world history.  It was definitely the least intriguing section of the book for me, but the humorous remarks about history’s world leaders encouraged me to keep reading.  He also had words for terrorists and the environmentalists out there he refers to as “eco-frekos.”

Sonnen offered a few pages to explain his detest for people using social media platforms as a stage to inform the world of their unimportant statuses.  He suggests Twitter should be called “Blather,” and provides various chapters that describe Sonnen’s loathe for pop culture, as well as the people fooled by it.

The book would not be complete without Sonnen contributing advice for fellow mixed martial artists.  He warns the up-and-comers to not get into MMA for fortune, fame and women, because it will lead to failure.  The UFC No. 1 middleweight contender gives some insight on which walkout songs are acceptable and not acceptable (Aerosmith and Metallica top the list, can’t disagree with that).  And of course, Sonnen fired off more than a few sentences at teammates not wanting to fight each other.

It should be well-expected that Anderson Silva would get his own chapter.  Sonnen, surprisingly, did not tear into Silva as one might have presumed.  He detailed the night of Aug. 7, 2010, when he lost to Silva via submission, following 23 minutes of Sonnen dominating the champ.  Sonnen also described the suspension he received from the California State Athletic Commission for accelerated levels of testosterone.  It was really quite interesting to read what Sonnen’s mindset was before, during and after that particular contest.

In closing, Sonnen described his emotions and psyche as he enters the Octagon.   After crediting Bert Fields on a job well-done, Sonnen admitted the fear and self-doubt he experiences while waiting for the fight to begin.  He explained the thoughts running through his mind as his opponent walks down the same ramp he did moments ago.  Sonnen was very intricate with his description, but also made comical notes about having troubles taking off his walkout shirt, as so many fighters do.

The Voice of Reason provides the reader with the typical humor MMA fans are used to from the author, however, it also offers little-known facts about Sonnen.  There may not be a whole lot of reasoning behind Sonnen’s antics, but it was enlightening to read about his life and experiences.

Darce Side Radio: Michael Chandler, Ricardo Almeida, and Stephen Koepfer,

by on May 10, 2012 1:14:30 PM in Radio   |   No Comments »

Michael Stets breaks down the latest in MMA news.  Stephen Koepfer the head of NYMMA Now coalition stops by to talk about NY MMA not making it to the assembly floor.

Bellator lightweight champ Michael Chandler talks about his recent win over Akhiro Gono.

Ricardo Almeida comes on to discuss being an MMA judge, and cornering Frankie Edgar.

Listen to internet radio with MMA DieHards Radio on Blog Talk Radio

MMA Beatdown radio: Chad “Robo” Robichaux, Danny Castillo

by on May 8, 2012 7:53:49 PM in Radio   |   No Comments »

CLICK HERE TO CHAT LIVE DURING THE BROADCAST

Listen to internet radio with MMA DieHards Radio on Blog Talk Radio

UFC on FOX 3 victor Danny Castillo and Legacy 11 fighter Chad Robichaux join Mike Fester and Alex Donno (of Miami’s 790 The Ticket) on tonight’s MMA Beatdown.

“Robo” Robichaux (11-2) is an 8 time Afghanistan Marine Recon vet.  He talks his upcoming fight, his non-profit organization designed to help veterans cope with PTSD (using BJJ!), and what his future holds.

Danny “Last Call” Castillo, fresh off a unanimous decision victory over John Cholish on the UFC’s third FOX card, checks back in with the crew as well.

The show streams live here at MMADiehards.com at 8:30 p.m. Eastern, 5:30 on the West Coast, which we’ve been told is the Best Coast – though that’s up for debate. Face buried in a pizza? Picking up The Wife’s clothes at the dry cleaners? On a mandatory Tuesday Date Night? Look, we get it. Shiznit happens. You’ve got a life to live outside of little ol’ us at Beatdown Radio – even though we managed to get an entire extra day added onto the calendar for you. So we’ll do ya another favor. We’ll make the show available on demand RIGHT HERE after the completion of the broadcast or as a download at iTunes for the low-low, low-low cost of FREE. (But you’re way, way cooler if you’re here with us live.)

Diaz taps Miller, rolls into lightweight title picture at UFC on FOX 3

by on May 6, 2012 12:40:10 PM in Features, Fighter Features   |   No Comments »

Nate Diaz dominated his third straight fight to earn No. 1 contender status at 155 pounds. (Photo courtesy of Heavy MMA).

East Rutherford, N.J. – Calculating, precise and ultimately devastating, Nate Diaz left no doubt as to where he stands in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s lightweight division.

In what could once again be described as the best performance of his career, Diaz defeated perennial contender Jim Miller with a second-round guillotine choke in the UFC on FOX 3 main event Saturday night at the Izod Center.

Diaz’s destruction of local favorite Miller via a second-round guillotine choke gives the Caesar Gracie-trained fighter his third dominating win in a row and the No. 1 contender spot at 155 pounds. UFC President Dana White clarified the lightweight picture in the post-fight press conference, confirming that Diaz would only face Anthony Pettis if he wanted to, which contradicted a report from Friday. Diaz said he would instead wait for the winner of the rematch between current champion Benson Henderson and former champ Frankie Edgar, which is expected to take place in early fall.

“He’s tough,” Diaz acknowledged. “I worked hard and let the training do the talking.”

After a first round in which he got the better of the striking despite Miller effectively countering his reach with clinch work, Diaz flashed his ground work with a slick transition into the guillotine. Miller tried to roll through but  Diaz stayed with him, forced the tap out and improved to 3-0 since his cut back down to 155 pounds. In his last three fights Diaz has submitted Takanori Gomi and Miller with a dominating decision win over Donald Cerrone. Miller lost for just the second time in 10 fights and was finished for the first time in his career.

“Nate controlled the fight from bell to bell,” Miller said. “He took the momentum and never let me get any significant shots in there. He fought a beautiful fight. He had my number.”

Miller immediately looked to close the distance in the first round and was able to get inside and into the clinch not he much longer Diaz. But Diaz manufactured strikes from in tight and eventually stunned Miller with a right jab, straight left combo. Miller escaped danger from a late grappling sequence but the round was Diaz’s on two of the three judges scorecards. Interestingly, judge Bittencourt gave each fighter a 10 in the first round.

The second round sam Miller uncharacteristically respond to taunting by Diaz with a charging, flying knee attempt. Diaz stalked with ranged boxing attacks before sinking in a the guillotine. Miller tried to roll out of it but Diaz secured the choke and forced Miller to tap at the 4:09 mark the second round.

Diaz improves to 16-7 overall and 11-5 in the UFC. Miller is 1-2 in last three fights and fell to 21-4 and 10-3 in the UFC.

UFC on Fox 3: Jim Miller talks about upcoming opponent, Nate Diaz

by on May 5, 2012 12:30:29 PM in Videos   |   No Comments »

Hector Castro of MMADieHards.com catches up with Jim Miller and talks about his upcoming fight with Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox 3.  The event takes place May 5 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J.

Ronda Rousey: “I have an accurate self assessment, which people call arrogance”

by on May 5, 2012 12:00:12 PM in Videos   |   No Comments »

Strikeforce women's bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

MMADieHards.com caught up with Strikeforce women’s bantam weight champ Ronda Rousey, after the UFC on FOX 3 weigh-ins. Ronda talked about all her recent media attention, and her recent appearance on TUF, and on training and staying humble.

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