Sports Editor
Sometimes, people just want to beat the crap out of each other.
But for the Mixed Martial Arts fighters who train at the 8th Street Gym, fighting is more significant than that.
Brothers Edgar and Billy Castaneda have fought for several years at the 8th Street Gym and for them, fighting is a way of life.
“The first time I got punched in the face, I was in the 4th grade,” Edgar said. “It really hurt. There’s only one way to get rid of bullies.”
Although Edgar and Billy were involved in several fights with bullies, the MMA fighting they train for is quite a bit different than a fist fight. Mixed Martial Arts combines kickboxing with Ju-Jitsu, Judo and other boxing and wrestling styles. Competitors must be adequate in multiple styles of fighting to be successful.
The Castaneda brothers train at least five days per week for MMA and even fight competitively in the Grand Valley. They love the thrill of fighting in front of a crowd.
“It’s the excitement that hits you from the first punch,” Billy said. “There’s nothing like it.”
Currently, Edgar is rehabilitating a torn lateral meniscus and is scheduled to fight later this fall. Although he’s been plagued by injury, he is confident in his fighting ability.
“I’m a good fighter,” Edgar said. “If I get a good hit on you, I’ll put you to sleep.”
When Edgar and Billy need guidance about fighting, they turn to MMA professional Jason Clayton. Clayton was 12-4 as an amateur and is 2-0 as a professional. He stands tall in 8th Street Gym, and is physically intimidating to the average joe.
“He’s a vicious fighter,” Billy said. “But he’s a really nice guy. He’s always around to help.”
Clayton will soon compete for a belt in the Kickdown Middleweight Championship as a professional. In terms of fighting, the sky is his limit.
“I’m going to make it to the UFC,” Clayton said. “It’s my number one goal.”
Clayton works at the 8th Street Gym under owner Tom Bolger Sr. who is a retired real estate businessman with a passion for fighting. Bolger’s son, Tom, Jr. fought professionally in the UFC against opponents like Eugene Jackson and Dennis Kang. Together, they have invested over a million dollars into their gym, and they love the results.
“There’s no gym like this anywhere,” Tom, Sr. said. “You take one class and you’re twice as tough as when you came in. There’s nothing like it.”
Tom, Sr. is at the gym almost every day, managing the business, training and motivating his clients. Many of the fighters see Tom Sr. as a mentor.
“Tom is the face of 8th Street,” Edgar said. “He’s a great motivator.”
No matter the circumstance, the Castaneda brothers and many others will continue to fight and train in MMA.
“It’s a sport and nothing else,” Billy said. “We fight to feel alive.”
dlmeyer@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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