FokaiCombatUnit:FrankCamachoInterview

After an abrupt transition from the sport of golf and with a very early introduction to Mixed Martial Arts competition, Frank Camacho wowed the CNMI with intense performances in the cage and ring.

In 2006 at only 17 years old, and less than 2years of training, Camacho was able to secure the Mariana Island’s first official MMA title with a devastating win over former Philippines URCC 185lb. Champion Fritz Rodrigues. Instantly setingt the Mariana Islands a convincing position in the Asian/Pacific MMA equation.

After many impressive MMA victories distributed within TrenchWarz,RitesOfPassage, Premier XTreme Combat, and Geran Haga, In 2007 Camacho later went to face UFC veteran LuigiFioravanti where despite suffering his first career loss, in a last minute fight against a top level performer, Camacho did better than widely anticipated offering a glimpse of the future of Guam’s evolving MMA potential.

A return to competition after a year of training with the world renowned LloydIrvin Martial Arts Center, Camacho delivered a highlight performance against one of Guam’s premeir fighter athletes Ryan Bigler, and then a week later suffered disappointment with his first KO loss against Caloy Baduria in URCC in thePhilippines.

A year and a half later, Camacho made his debut into mainland US MMA against James Jones in the Ultimate Warriors Challenge for an internet broadcast that gave him publicity for over a half million online viewers. it was his best performance to date against arguably his most formidable opponent in front of the largest live and viewing audience in what  couldve been called the most significant fight in his professional MMA career--and he won in high fashion with an impressive KO victory. when we most awaited his return to MMA, Camacho took a step back and ventured through MMAs softer yet most capable feature Brazilian Jiujitsu.

Following is some dialogue with2010 Mens 181lb.(MedioDivision) BlueBelt Division Brazilian Jiujitsu World Champion:

Sorry Rome if I wrote a lil too much! hahah Awesome Questions bro!

-“All the blood, sweat, and tears!”

The path to the world championships was a super good run! Not complaining about the super hard training, the blood bled, the hard work put in, the tears, and all the injuries leading up to the 2010 Mundials. I love it! My wrestling coach, Jim Kelly, showed me this video of Tom Brands talking to a bunch of wrestlers and he said something in these lines… “SACRIFICE?? This is not sacrifice if you love what you’re doing! Its just a set of things that MUST be done for maximum results.  If it is considered ‘sacrifice’ then you don’t love what you’re doing and you are making yourself suffer.”

It was a great run! I enjoyed it! I learned A TON of stuff! It was the first time working with strength and conditioning coach D’Angelo Kinard 3 times a week. And Ive never felt so strong and in shape in my life. We were training for the Mundials early part this year.. around Feb-March. It was a BJJ Training Camp straight on through ALL THE WAY to the 2010 Mundials in June. We had inbetween tournaments like the local Grapplers Quests/NAGAs, Pan Ams, NY Open, and the Brazilian Nationals (for a couple of the competitors). All in Preparation for the 2010 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championships (Mundials). It came out real nice.. Team Lloyd Irvin closed out divisions, and had something like 7 World Champions.

I got to experience the “tears” part of the saying. You’re training real hard.. with the rolling, with sparring, getting tapped out left and right, and you are just having one of THOSE days. It gets real frustrating during training because you’re putting in a lot of time with your strength and conditioning and your drilling and when you have one of those days… It can get to you! A couple times after practice I would go to the back room and just think about WHY I’m doing so horrible and start balling. I mean, I started crying from all the frustration of not doing well during practice. I know CRYING doesnt help, but it got THAT frustrating… It Happens! Then it comes down to, are you gonna quit? or are you gonna use what you learned turn that energy into positive energy and get better? It gets rough! That led up to the 2010 Mundials.

“All the Blood, Sweat, and Tears!”

My Path to the Worlds wouldn’t have been possible without Team Lloyd Irvin and Master Lloyd! I cannot go on without thanking my Team! I have the best training partners that dedicated 100% of their time and effort to not only do well at the Worlds but to help their teammates like myself excell! The power of a Great Team. Rome & Fokai Industries! Cuki & the Trench Tech Familia! Josh Castro with ZengZung! Jose “ByTheBay!” youre the man! Mom, Dad, Leslie, Ton, and Aiden (lania Aiden boy you’re only 1 years old and getting a shout out already! haha), family and friends! Thank you! And the people of the Marianas! You’re my drive!

There wouldn’t have been 2010 BJJ World Champion Frank “The Crank” Camacho without you guys!

Si Yu’us Ma’ase para todu hamyu!

I had a list of food prepared for me to DEVOUR after the 2010 World Championships! hahah. It took me a full week to do so! BBQ, A LOAD OF RICE, Cold Stone ice cream, the biggest burger i could get a hold of, fries, taco bell, and the list goes on!

So… 10lbs later Im back to training… Still working on my BJJ. Im looking forward to wrestling more, and Im super stoked about starting to box! Some good, hardcore, straight up, 137% PURE Boxing! I cannot wait to add this to my Game. Ill keep you all posted with training.

Still & ALWAYS a student of the Game! So much to learn!

CUKI!!! You Called it sir! hahah. I’ve heard him say that a couple of times. And Im glad to be proof of his vision. But mark my words… This is just the beginning for the Marianas! There are so much other fellow Chamorros kicking A*& in the world of sport fighting. I admire that! Its a different lifestyle to choose. Definitely stepping out of the box. Hats off to you all!

If you have the very first Trench Warz Fight Night DVD you gotta find the part when Cuki says… “Watch Out World.. We’re Coming to Get Ya!” Ok.. so most people laughed.. Some took it seriously, some took it as a marketing strategy. BUT…. a few years later all the way across the world at the George Mason University’s Patriot Center in FairFax Virginia I said the same exact thing after my UWC fight. “Watch Out World… We’re Coming to Get Ya!”

WE’RE COMING!

To my fellow Chamorro Brothers and Sisters out there doing their thing… Go Get IT! Please dont let anything or anyone stop you or slow you down from reaching your GOALS! Turn negative into postive, Stay Humble, Be Fearless, & remember the place you call home.

**What role do you see BJJ in your MMA and what role do you see MMA in your BJJ?

People tend to forget how MMA was built. I will avoid the history lesson but we gotta remember what started the UFC. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! In that being said BJJ playes a huge role in my MMA game. Although it playes a huge role, I cannot say its playes the main role. The evolution of mixed martial arts has been so crazy, we must all work all disciplines. Ground, TakeDowns, Striking. But I wouldn’t mind having a SICK BJJ base! 😉 I gotta admit too… The gi has grown on me…

Starting off as an MMA fighter then putting on the gi was hard at first. The grips, the heat, the EVERYTHING lol! But the mindset I’ve gained through MMA and my fights has helped me so much with BJJ competition. I wouldn’t trade anything off for what I have right now.

Skill Set Skill Set Skill Set! Not only am I at one of the best BJJ Schools in the World, I need to build my skill set to idealy be the “complete” fighter. The level of competition is so high right now in the UFC. There are Olympic level wrestlers, BJJ Black Belt World Champions, and experienced MMA practitioners that have been fighting for years in today’s competition. I don’t want to jump back into the MMA fight scene without feeling ready.

It was hard at first taking off the fight scene to work on the skill sets. Before my UWC debut I had a year and a half lay off and was hungry for an MMA fight! I wanted one SOOO BAD! Now I understand and see the what needs to be done!

Come On!!! What kinda question is that? Hahah.

At the age of 15 I fell in love with MMA. And at the age of 18 I decided that this is what I want to do with my life. Everything I do, all the disciplines I train in, all the different competitions I compete in, is for MMA. I do MMA anytime I can. I was doing MMA during the BJJ Training Camp. Mixed Martial Arts is so beautiful. Its the purest sport out there! Man to Man! I do what I gotta do to win the fight, You do what you gotta do and lets put it all on the line in 15-25mins of pure FIGHTING!

Through competition can you really get in touch with the true You! And competing/fighting in Mixed Martial Arts (the purest sport in my opinion) can you really know and learn about YOURSELF!

First off I would like to thank Mike Carbalito (idk if thats how you spell his last name) for giving me my toughest match at the 2010 Mundials. HOLY MOLY was he tough! It was an honor to fight him in the quarterfinals. Thanks chelu Mike!

It didn’t really click till you asked me this question Rome… Out of all the competitors in my division fighting for the Gold, a fellow chamorro gave me my hardest fight! WOW! thats freaken awesome! hahah… (I’m not taking away from any of my opponents. I learned so much from them all and had to play my A game against all of them. Thanks guys!) It amazes me how the Chamorro people are in a way an endangered species. There are only so few of us on the EARTH!! lol… correct me if Im wrong but Census recorded 150,000 some chamorros? Dangg there are more Sperm Whales out in the Ocean that are considered high risked extincted animals than there are Chamorros. lol. We come from such a small place, and It was an honor to run into fellow Chamorro Mike and battle it out. It was a great feeling seeing a fellow chelu there and giving me my toughest fight!

This question leaves me speechless… I cannot explain in words how much of an Honor & Privilege it is to train with Team Lloyd Irvin under Master Lloyd Irvin. It is awesome to be surrounded by Champion Minded training partners with positive vibes!

I am truly being watched over by a Great Power above!

Frank The Crank Camacho is my “Ring Name.” People say I’m mean, aggressive, violent, and these other stuff when the bell rings. I am who am during that particular time because I have a job to do and I go out there and DO IT!

Outside of BJJ, MMA, and competition I am Franklin B. Camacho. My family call me Kiko, Kikoman, Frankie Boy, Frankie… I am you’re 110% Chamorro Island boy!

1. I would wear my zorries 365 days a year! (if my mom will let me use it to church. Hahah)

2. I will kill for some Estofau!

3. I believe swimming in the Ocean is part of Life. Spiritual therapy!

4. Party invitation 6:00PM… I show up 7:30PM hahah

5. I wish the best for my Island. Give back to the Marianas what the Marianas has given me.

BIBA MARIANAS!