Fighter Profile: Castellammarese
Name:
Castellammarese
Other names:
Cast, Stella, Castella
JFC/UJC Record:
25-8-0
JEC Record:
24-23-1
Nationality:
English
Team:
Team Xtreme Showdown (TXS)
JFF Honors:
Former Undefeated JFC Champion, Former King of Asia, Captain of the "2009 Team GP Champions", "2009 JFC/UJC Fighter of the Year"
Who introduced you to MMA?
My big brother first introduced me to MMA. I was a huge boxing fan at the time, and he started telling me about this thing that he said was "well better than boxing". Naturally, as a boxing fan, I didn't believe him. It took him about a year to get me to watch my first MMA event.
What was the first MMA event you ever saw?
The first event that I ever saw was "UFC 43: Meltdown" which took place on June 6, 2003.
What was it about that event that roped you in? Or was it another MMA event that roped you in?
Watching Belfort cut open Eastman was just incredible. Also, it was the first time I watched Randy Couture fight, which is why I am a really big Couture fan.
After that event, I was partially hooked. I still preferred boxing. My brother then started to tell me about something called PRIDE. He also told me about Fedor and Crocop and other people fighting in PRIDE. So, I ended up watching "Pride Total Elimination 2003" and saw CroCop almost kick Vovchanchyn's head off, and Fedor beat the s--- out of Gary Goodridge. After that, I was pretty much hooked for life.
What is your favourite aspect of MMA?
Well, like I said. I was already a huge boxing fan. So you would expect that striking to be my favourite aspect of MMA, but it’s not. Don't get me wrong, I love a good head kick as much as the next guy, but I much prefer seeing people get submitted. I love seeing people quit. Also, the technique and skill involved in pulling off some of these submissions just amazes me.
So I guess Jiu Jitsu is my favourite aspect of MMA
Who is your favourite fighter at each weight class?
Heavyweight -
Fedor Emelianenko
Light Heavyweight -
Gegard Mousasi
Middleweight -
Demian Maia / Dan Miller
Welterweight -
Marius Zaromskis
Lightweight -
Jim Miller
Featherweight -
Jens Pulver
Bantamweight -
Brian Bowles
Who is your favourite fighter at the moment, and why?
I'm so torn at the moment. I really love watching the Miller brothers fight, but I think Demian Maia is probably my favourite. I love watching him fight because his jiu jitsu is unreal
Who is your favourite fighter of all time, and why?
My favourite fighter of all time is either Andrei Arlovski or Jens Pulver. I just really love watching Arlovski fight and I love the heart that Jens Pulver shows in every fight. Although, watching Jens lose every time and then coming out and talking about it is starting to crush me.
How did you first here about the JFF?
I decided to sign up to the Junkie forums after the first Affliction event. I only came on to shoot the s--- about it, and nothing more. I say the sub forum for Junkie Fighting Championships and decided to check it out. At first I thought it was just a stupid online fantasy league like fantasy football leagues, so I decided not to check it out. Then, after a few days, curiosity got the better of me and I gave it a second look, this time signing up for an event
What made you decide to stay in the JFF and compete on a regular basis?
In my first fight, I was matched up with Avonbarksdale. I had planned to call out Buffaloblue, who started at the same event as me and was making a big splash with his trash talk. But I didn't have the balls. I didn't want to call him out and lose, so I decided to let the league runners match me up. I was one of the highest scorers at the event, and still lost by 1 point. To make it worse, I outscored Buffaloblue. I decided that I had to stay and at least get a win. Once I did that, I just got hooked on competing
What is it like being a part of Team Xtreme Showdown?
Honestly, it's amazing. We have some of the best fighters around at the moment. Also, the level of commitment to training from everyone else on our team is unreal. I always know that I have a dedicated team behind me, filled with some of the best fighters around.
Who is your fantasy fighting idol?
Buffaloblue. He hasn't been great lately, but he is a legend in fantasy fighting. He has done almost everything there is to do in this "sport". He is a hall of famer at Weekly, and has been competing for years. His level of commitment to fantasy fighting is so amazing. I just hope that I am still as enthusiastic about fantasy fighting when I have been doing it for as long as he has
Any last thoughts?
Shout outs to my TXS team mates DanielsanFTW, Goodcat, Smarty, mmaisgreaterthanyou and 7time. Elfudge, who puts in so much time to run the JFC and for doing the rankings. KoA for starting the league. Pilqs for helping out with the league. Buffaloblue for all the work he has done behind the scenes to help us run the fantasy leagues as well as running the JEC himself. The guys behind J-1 Global. I can't wait to see how I do in that league. And once again, and maybe for the last time, a huge thanks to Iceman22, who allowed me to beat him by picking Quarry over Maia