Former AHS student fights pro

Rumble at the River IX was held May 2nd at Blue Lake’s Bear River Casino Rec Center. It fully sold out days before the fights. The event was colorful, and the room was adorned with strobing rave lights. When I entered the room, a Mariachi band was playing while many purchased their food and drinks. An announcer came out and loudly boasted about the fighters responsible for the first bout.  A DJ accompanied by a large screen played music as the two fighters walked out in ceremonial fashion to their respective songs. Eight more fights happened before the main events, all of which were incredibly entertaining.

Finally, the co-main event fighter entered, accompanied by his family, a large banner of sponsorships, and the song Andamos Triunfando.

 This fighter was named Josh Castillo, an 18-year-old fighter and ex-Arcata High student who originally got his start in Humboldt County. From the age of 12, he started at the Lost Boys Combat Gym in Arcata, and then moved over to the Institute of Combat with renowned ex-Bellator fighter Cass Bell as a coach. 

Josh moved to Monterey a year ago, and as a result, his training has been enhanced, but not without hardship. “One of my biggest challenges was finding new gyms… but it actually ended up benefiting me a lot. I got into connections with people like Daniel Cormier. 
He’s a two-time Olympian, two-time UFC champion, and he’s actually my head MMA coach now,” Castillo said. “ I got really good coaches down there as well as I work with Draft 4 MMA and boxing, and they have great boxers. 
Reuben Viaz, one of my main coaches, went to the Olympic trials. He was 22 and 2 as a pro.” 

Training is the most important thing a fighter can do, so naturally, Josh trains professionally. “I get up every morning. I run, I lift, and normally after school, I’ll go straight into wrestling, and then after that, I’ll try to hit the MMA gym. And if possible, I’ll try to get another run in there.” With a schedule like that, maintaining health and recovery is important. Suanas, steam rooms, and diets become commonplace, especially in a high-injury sport like fighting.

One may ask where this motivation comes from. From an early age, his father, Carlos Castillo, fought. “ My dad always fought. 
I was always around that. He was always watching the UFC fights and boxing fights. He was always showing the super matchups, you know, showing me everybody, and I just got super into it. 
I loved it. Watching my dad fight and win was like the best feeling, and I wanted to experience that for myself.” 

The Castillo father-and-son duo fought in the co-main and main events on May 2nd. C. Casstillo ended his fight when his opponent, S. Moller, was unable to defend himself against the flurry of punches, and the ref ended the fight. 

When I asked Josh about his plan for his 35-year-old opponent, named R. Fischer, Josh stated I’m gonna kick this man’s head off.” The fight ended spectacularly when Josh kicked him in the head, wobbling Fischer. Josh further punished him by punching him to the ground, leading to a submission via a rear-naked choke. The crowd roared with cheer as Josh held his hands high in the air.

Josh hopes for future fights and future wins wherever that may take him. “I want to make it as far as I can,” he said. “I want to make it to the UFC.”

Doesn’t feel finished yet… Can you add 1 more sentence that brings it all together?