J4F: Joe what got you started in MMA?

JC: I got started in MMA back in 1998 when it was called "NHB" (No-Holds-Barred) and how I got into it was rather interesting. I was an active competitor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments and I was a Blue Belt at the time so I was in training for two years and being that I was so competitive and jumped into every tournament out there and placed in either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, my instructor, Pedro Carvalho at the time, has asked me if I wanted to fight in a "No-Holds-Barred tournament representing BJJ, which meant I would fight more than once. At that time NHB was mainly Discipline vs Discipline or Style vs Style. This was held at the Pomona Fairgrounds and the show was called, Extreme Challenge. Fortunately for me, I won all my matches by KO or TKO. I had three fights and won impressively for being a BJJ fighter.
Word got out quick in the local area and soon after, Terry Trebilecock of "King of the Cage" had approached me and asked me if I wanted to fight in his very first show. This show would be called, "The Inland Empire Classic". Later it was called, "Bas Rutten's KING OF THE CAGE, and then after that KOTC.
Well, that show was a Pancration match. Open hand strikes to the head and closed fist and kicks to the body. It was in a ring and on a tennis court somewhere in Norco, CA. My opponent was none other than Joe Stevenson. Well, I lost that match. Joe Stevenson finished me with a triangle choke. Joe slapped the triangle choke and instead of trying to escape it, I chose to punch his face and ribs and before I knew it, I was tapping out.
I was so upset with myself for getting caught doing something so stupid. I had drilled and drilled and drilled that escape and instead of sticking to the plan of escape, I chose to punch him and I eventually got choked.
After that, I wanted to fight again because I was mad at myself and I knew I could do better. Months later, I did and I fought a Joe Steven teammate, Al Garza and the show would be the very first "Gladiator Challenge". I won that fight via armbar and the feeling of victory was so great that I wanted to do it again and again and again and so on....and that's how my career started.

J4F: Joe what motivates and inspires you to train hard?

JC: What motivates me to train hard is usually my opponent. I never under estimate my opponents. I always fight names or very tough opponents that have fought defeated other tough guys with names. That's how I built my career, by pound for pound, name vs name, skilled vs skilled fights that meant something. I never fought chumps or "tomatoe cans" to pad my record like others did.
I earned my stripes fighting "real fighters", not "paper fighters" who only look good on paper. So my opponent usually motivates me to train hard because I know he knows he's in for a war with me and he is training twice as hard as me to beat me, so I have to step it up even harder and push myself to more than he.
Another motivation that inspires me are the fans. They motivate me to go out there and put on the best performance I can because they want to see me victorious with my hand raised in the end. Man, the energy I get from the fans when my name is announced moments before I step into the cage or when my intro song kicks in is intense. I love that feeling and I know I will miss that feeling when I retire.

J4F: Joe what is your favorite submission?

JC:  I really don't have a favorite submission. I like them all because they all work together hand in hand in my transitions for set-ups or flow of movement to advance for a dominant position to catch my opponent one. But there is one submission that I really like and it's really not a "submission hold" persay but it can submit you when applied right and that's submitting you with my pressure. Whether on side control, full mount or back mount, submitting you with applied pressure is so cool and fun because it tells me positioning is right and on point. I'm a 155 pounder and when I apply my pressure on you, I feel like 1000 pounds. It's magnificent...haha I love submitting everyone with pressure alone because with just my pressure, the opponent is in a world of pain and not only does he have to deal with my submission attacks, but he has to deal with my pressure as well. To add, submitting your opponent like that is rather embarrassing too....haha Opponents or training partners usually can't believe they've just been tapped out by a "side mount"....haha You gotta try it, it's fun.

J4F: Joe you’ve been to Guam to compete in MMA what did you think about the island?

JC: Yes, I've been to Guam many times and let me just tell you, Guam is a beautiful place. I love Guam. I actually miss Guam. Before I retire, I want to give one last performance for the Chamorro people of Guam and give them a chance to see in action again before I hang up the gloves. But yeah man, Guam is a lovely place to be. The people are hospitable and very friendly. They always greet you as if they've known you for years. Yeah, I miss Guam. I want to go back. That's my home away from home...haha!

J4F: You’re an active competitor in the MMA scene as well as an instructor at the UFC training center. When you have time, what do you like to do Just4Fun?

 JC: Well, when I'm not fighting/competing or training for a fight/competition or preparing someone for a fight/competition or even coaching someone at a fight or jiu-jitsu match, I like to go for stroll on the riverbed on my beach cruiser. I love my new bike...haha its hella fun just cruising and enjoying the scenery as I ride along the wash to the beach or ride along a bike route from city to city.
I also like going to the movies, drawing, computer graphics, listening to music, hanging out with friends, eating at a cool restaurants, and lots of quality time with my girl.

J4F: For us fans what should we be looking out for… any new projects or events coming soon?

JC: I really have no fights coming up because I'm going through some body repair with injuries from my last fight with Joe Boxer, so right now I have nothing planned but I am hoping to get a fight lined up for maybe July, in hopes my injuries are all healed up.

As far as projects though, I am working on a few art projects that will jump start some of my ideas that I've been sitting on for a while. I can't say much but in time you will see some cool stuff coming soon by me. Stay tuned!...haha

J4F: Joe what words of advice would you give people who have been inspired by you and want to follow in your footsteps?

JC: The advice I give everyone is this, if you're a fighter or want to become one, no matter who you are, what you've done, or how many fights you've had, always, always, and always remain humble! A person can go a long way with humility. Being humble is key!

J4F: Finally Joe do you have final words or shout-outs?

JC: I'd like to thank all my sponsors and friends, family and loved ones and fans for all of your great support. I wouldn't be where I'm at if it wasn't for all of you. And thank you for this opportunity to be interviewed. Thank you very much. God Bless you all.

Joe Camacho

J4F: Joe Thanks again for your time… I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule and answering some of our questions. I have been a fan for a long time and will continue to be a fan. Continued success to you in the future bro! Remember, that Just4fun has your back. If there is anything that we can help you with just let us know.

Respect!!

"tyrtl"