08 May ParaIOnra:FrankCamacho
Hafa Adai, before everything else…hows about that Pacquiao KO? Geezos creezos! MMA rocks but still good to see that boxing is far from dead. Back on track, Marianas MMA pioneer, Tetsuji Kato, returns to Shooto this weekend as he faces Kenichiro Togashi in Tokyo. Rites of Passage7 still on for May 23rd in Saipan.And the BJJ WorldChampionships up ahead for June 6th. More details as always on www.fokai.tv and www.shoyoroll.com.
URCC 185lb. Champion and TrenchWarz and PXC veteran Frank Camacho of TrenchTech/PurebredSaiapn and LloydIrvinMartial Arts in Washington DC made his professional fight debut into the 155lb category as an underdog against Binky Jones of Colorado in the Ultimate Warriors Challenge at ThePatriotCenter in Virginia on April 26th.
Round1:
Camacho catches a right kick attempt from Jones and sends Jones to the
mat with an overhand right 30seconds into the fight.. Frank shuts downs
several submission attempts from Jones even lifting Jones overhead at
one point and slamming him to the canvas. Continues
to mount an offense with small punches from above before allowing Jones
back to his feet. Frank gets the better of the standing exchage until
getting taken down only to recover quickly to his feet. Jnes tries for
a kimura nly for Frank to recover into good position. DingDing. End of
Round.
Round2. Jones comes out more aggressively to take Frank down after a short standing exchange. Frank stops a choke attempt from Jones for another quick recovery to his feet. And after ashort exchange, lands a big right to drop Jones to the canvas and follows through with a barrage of punches before the referee stops the fight KO victory 1:40seconds into second round. Frank Camacho wins his debut into US MMA.
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With a live audience of more than 6000 spectators, including special guest former UFC Light heavyweight World Champion Tito Ortiz, The match was also broadcast live online to tens of thousands of viewers and is still available streaming on MMA online authority www.sherdog.com
Following is an interview with “The Crank” on the fight and what has motivated, at only 20years f age, one of the Marianas premier 155lb. fighter athletes competing overseas.
After a 10-0 record at 185lbs. and a relatively successful performance at 170, what motivated you to compete at 155?
-At the higher level, fighters at Middleweight and Welterweight and physically way bigger than I am at 5’8″. With my body type having a high percentage of body fat at 185 and 170, the 155lb weight class is perfect for me! I will be fighting with maximum performance and muscle to weight ratio. I believe I will be way stronger and faster as a Lightweight! This is the weight class that I will be fighting at for now!
How did this fight come to be?
-After taking a year and a half break from the MMA fighting scene, I’ve been training with Team Lloyd Irvin under Master Lloyd learning his system and working on my skills to be a complete Mixed Martial Artist. This fight was just to “scratch that itch” and get a fight in. Took the fight in 7 weeks and made my debut at 155lbs.
What key developments do you see for yourself as a fighter training at Lloyd Irvin Martial Arts? How was your training for this fight?
-I’m definitely a whole new Frank “The Crank!” The 7 week training camp for this fight was the hardest I’ve ever been in. We had up to 4 training sessions a day. This is the breakdown of the training camp week;
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
6am – Wrestling
10:30am – Boxing
3:30pm – Drilling or Sparring
6:30pm-9:30- Sprints / Sparring
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
6am – Circuit / Conditioning
10:30am – MMA
3:30pm – Drilling
Have the night off depending on what Master Lloyd had us working on.
My conditioning, strength, and cardio felt spectacular! I was definitely in the best shape of my life.
As a Marianas Island fighter who has competed abroad in the Philippines and the US, what has this oine for your perspective in local MMA?
-There is definitely a whole lot of Talent & Heart in the Marianas Fighters! Add some Hard Work and Discipline success will come! World Champions will come from the Marianas!
What are your motivations as a Mariana Island Mixed Martial Artist competing overseas?
-A good friend once said, “We come from such a small island, a dot on the globe, coming from somewhere so small makes me want to prove big things, and let the Whole World Know where I come from!”
Whats next fr Frank Camacho? What are your goals as a martial artist and Mixed Martial Artist?
-Im going to take another break from the MMA fighting scene and keep up with training. I know I need to work on all aspects of my game. I want to rock the BJJ scene now and learn as much as I can on my journey! Worlds is coming up so that is one Im looking out for! The ultimate Goal is to be The World Champ!
What words might you have for Mariana Fighters and fans?
-For the Fans! Si Yu’us Maase! Thank you so much for all the Love and Support! I wouldn’t be anywhere without you all! Keep supporting MMA, its a beautiful sport and Rock on at all the fights! lol. You all are the best! Good Vibes always…
-For the Mariana Fighters! Keep doing what you are doing! No one else in the WORLD fights like the way we do! Keep your eye on the prize, set your goals, and don’t let anyone or anything Stop you or Slow you down from reaching your goals!
-For the Kids of the Marianas… I had a rough road pursuing my MMA career. If you have a goal, whether its to be a doctor, lawyer, mma fighter, or astronaut, Go after your goals and DONT let ANYONE or ANYTHING STOP you or SLOW you down from reaching your GOALS!The sky is not the limit, because there is NO LIMIT! ROCK ON!
At only 20years of age,with an MMA title in the Philippines, a successful MMA record in the islands, and a promising debut into 155lbs; a very proud Chamoru, Camacho has already given the Marianas much to be proud of and a lot of lessons we can learn from. As we continue to support our fighter athletes ventures overseas, we give applause not only for the victories, but also for all the efforts. Because regardless, as we recognize our rightful place in the bigger picture, win or lose, these are all movements forward.
Best of Luck Frank and Biba Marianas.
Thanks for dropping by.