Mandy
11-20-2009, 06:53 PM
Castillo Gives New Meaning To “Last Call”
Nov-13-2009
By Frank Curreri
When you make a promise to mama, do your darnedest to keep it.
That is part of what drives Danny Castillo and also why he chose “Last Call” for his nickname (it has nothing to do with drinking). Back in high school, Castillo assured his mother, who raised four children by herself, that he would win a state wrestling title. Regrettably, he did not.
Chasing redemption, Castillo wrestled in junior college and then transferred to Menlo College in California and pursued a Division III national title. Once again he fell short, losing by three points in the national finals. But a budding MMA career has breathed new life into the son’s guarantee to mom.
“This is like my last shot to keep my end of the bargain,” Castillo said, explaining the secret meaning behind “Last Call.” “All that is left for me is a world title.”
Just two years into his pro career, Castillo is inching closer to his goal. He boasts a stellar 8-1 record, has triumphed in three straight WEC contests, and on Nov. 18 gets a crack at one of the lightweight division’s toughest contenders, Shane Roller. It is unique territory for Castillo because for the first time in his career the man opposite him in the cage just might be the better wrestler. Indeed, there is no denying that, on paper, Roller’s wrestling credentials easily trump Castillo’s. It’s no contest. Roller won four high school state titles in Oklahoma, a hotbed for wrestling; Castillo failed to win one. Roller earned All-America honors three times at the Division I level. Castillo was a national runner-up in Division III, where the talent pool is much thinner. Yet Castillo virtually scoffs at the notion that Roller is going to outgrapple him in an MMA fight.
“I read an article where he said he plans to outwrestle and outgrapple me,” Castillo said. “Well that’s great. I’ve wrestled over 300 matches in my entire career. If that’s what he’s bringing to the table, to try and outgrapple me, then I’m a happy man. I don’t have to worry about strikes or anything. He wants to outgrapple me? I’ve been grappling since I was five years old in my mom’s living room, so that’s the least of my concerns.”
Castillo elaborated on his comments, stressing that there is a big difference between collegiate
wrestling and wrestling for MMA.
“In MMA wrestling you have to be really explosive,” he said, “and I haven’t seen too many explosive takedowns from him (Roller). I think my athleticism, speed and power will be able to nullify his takedowns.”
Based on performances, Castillo gets the edge in pure standup, courtesy of his TKO win over Rafael Dias and the crushing right hand that knocked Ricardo Lamas from the ranks of the unbeaten. The only fighter to go the distance with the Urijah Faber protégé is tough-as-nails Phil Cardella. Roller (6-2) has shown better head and foot movement since losing to Benson Henderson, holding his own in the standup arena with Marcus Hicks. But the Oklahoman’s performance didn’t impress Castillo.
“He’s a great wrestler, his strength is wrestling and ground and pound. For the most part that’s all we’ve seen,” Castillo said. “I’ve seen him drop Benson Henderson, but when you wear MMA gloves people fall down all the time and it didn’t look like it was a devastating punch; Benson Henderson bounced right back from it. I’m not going to take any chances, I’m definitely going to keep my hands up, I’m not trying to get hit with any of his big shots. As far as speed and sharpness, I just don’t see it in him. I think that my striking coaches are way better, I come from a better striking camp than he does. My boxing coach is a former world champion, Juan Lazcano, and my striking coach is Master Thong.”
Castillo said he respects Roller’s best weapon – the guillotine choke – and has been working with Urijah Faber on defending the move. Castillo said he is dedicating this fight to his uncle, Sergio Castillo, who passed away two months ago at the age of 43 from an apparent heart attack.
“He was able to watch the Ricardo Lamas fight and a couple of weeks later he passed away,” Castillo said. “So that’s been in the back of my head. I’ve been training my a-- off and he was a big fan. That’s something I think about every day. I want to go out there and win this fight for him.
“I’ve had three wins in a row so far. Another win and it’s looking like title implications. So there’s added motivation for me to win this fight and put a stamp on my name.”
Nov-13-2009
By Frank Curreri
When you make a promise to mama, do your darnedest to keep it.
That is part of what drives Danny Castillo and also why he chose “Last Call” for his nickname (it has nothing to do with drinking). Back in high school, Castillo assured his mother, who raised four children by herself, that he would win a state wrestling title. Regrettably, he did not.
Chasing redemption, Castillo wrestled in junior college and then transferred to Menlo College in California and pursued a Division III national title. Once again he fell short, losing by three points in the national finals. But a budding MMA career has breathed new life into the son’s guarantee to mom.
“This is like my last shot to keep my end of the bargain,” Castillo said, explaining the secret meaning behind “Last Call.” “All that is left for me is a world title.”
Just two years into his pro career, Castillo is inching closer to his goal. He boasts a stellar 8-1 record, has triumphed in three straight WEC contests, and on Nov. 18 gets a crack at one of the lightweight division’s toughest contenders, Shane Roller. It is unique territory for Castillo because for the first time in his career the man opposite him in the cage just might be the better wrestler. Indeed, there is no denying that, on paper, Roller’s wrestling credentials easily trump Castillo’s. It’s no contest. Roller won four high school state titles in Oklahoma, a hotbed for wrestling; Castillo failed to win one. Roller earned All-America honors three times at the Division I level. Castillo was a national runner-up in Division III, where the talent pool is much thinner. Yet Castillo virtually scoffs at the notion that Roller is going to outgrapple him in an MMA fight.
“I read an article where he said he plans to outwrestle and outgrapple me,” Castillo said. “Well that’s great. I’ve wrestled over 300 matches in my entire career. If that’s what he’s bringing to the table, to try and outgrapple me, then I’m a happy man. I don’t have to worry about strikes or anything. He wants to outgrapple me? I’ve been grappling since I was five years old in my mom’s living room, so that’s the least of my concerns.”
Castillo elaborated on his comments, stressing that there is a big difference between collegiate
wrestling and wrestling for MMA.
“In MMA wrestling you have to be really explosive,” he said, “and I haven’t seen too many explosive takedowns from him (Roller). I think my athleticism, speed and power will be able to nullify his takedowns.”
Based on performances, Castillo gets the edge in pure standup, courtesy of his TKO win over Rafael Dias and the crushing right hand that knocked Ricardo Lamas from the ranks of the unbeaten. The only fighter to go the distance with the Urijah Faber protégé is tough-as-nails Phil Cardella. Roller (6-2) has shown better head and foot movement since losing to Benson Henderson, holding his own in the standup arena with Marcus Hicks. But the Oklahoman’s performance didn’t impress Castillo.
“He’s a great wrestler, his strength is wrestling and ground and pound. For the most part that’s all we’ve seen,” Castillo said. “I’ve seen him drop Benson Henderson, but when you wear MMA gloves people fall down all the time and it didn’t look like it was a devastating punch; Benson Henderson bounced right back from it. I’m not going to take any chances, I’m definitely going to keep my hands up, I’m not trying to get hit with any of his big shots. As far as speed and sharpness, I just don’t see it in him. I think that my striking coaches are way better, I come from a better striking camp than he does. My boxing coach is a former world champion, Juan Lazcano, and my striking coach is Master Thong.”
Castillo said he respects Roller’s best weapon – the guillotine choke – and has been working with Urijah Faber on defending the move. Castillo said he is dedicating this fight to his uncle, Sergio Castillo, who passed away two months ago at the age of 43 from an apparent heart attack.
“He was able to watch the Ricardo Lamas fight and a couple of weeks later he passed away,” Castillo said. “So that’s been in the back of my head. I’ve been training my a-- off and he was a big fan. That’s something I think about every day. I want to go out there and win this fight for him.
“I’ve had three wins in a row so far. Another win and it’s looking like title implications. So there’s added motivation for me to win this fight and put a stamp on my name.”