Coach eyes new training style for local MMA fighters
WITH most eastern martial arts rooted in striking, an international mixed martial arts coach is eyeing to bring a new kind of training in the country with the end game of making MMA practitioners here well- rounded.
George Castro, a former professional MMA fighter and now a fight coach, is set to return to the Philippines next month to share his knowledge of the sport, leaning more on wrestling and grappling, something he said would complement the striking- oriented training prevalent locally.
“The plan is to bring a new style — my style of training — to the Philippines. I want to go everywhere and show everybody what I know and spread my knowledge,” said Mr. Castro, who previously served as the strength and conditioning coach at Alliance MMA in San Diego, California.
The visit of Mr. Castro, set for early January, is a fulfillment of the promise made by his friend and ONE Championship heavyweight champion, Brandon “The Truth” Vera, who has signified his desire to see the Philippine MMA scene grow in a more diverse manner.
Mr. Castro, however, recognizes that infusing something new would need a lot of work and effort but nonetheless he is confident that what Mr. Vera and he are aiming for is very achievable considering how MMA practitioners in the country are committed at what they are doing.
“If you have the heart and you love to work hard and you love to grind, I will always take that person and train somebody like that. Because we can teach that person skill but heart and dedication, you can’t teach,” said Mr. Castro.
“Asia has a bunch of tough fighters with a lot of heart, especially in the Philippines,” he added.
Mr. Castro’s January visit is also expected to be a prelude to the eventual opening of an Alliance MMA Gym, which Mr. Vera founded and owns, in the country.
“Putting up Alliance MMA is going to be great. We’re going to help a lot of young fighters and maybe hopefully pull some kids off the streets and give them a better chance at life like MMA did for me,” Mr. Castro said.
Adding, “(Brandon) is a legend in the sport and he’s very well-rounded in every aspect of the sport. Going out to the Philippines with him has been nothing but a blessing for me. Working with him in opening up this gym is a dream come true for me and I’m a hundred percent excited to get that going.”
Alliance MMA was founded in 2007 and has become one of the top MMA professional MMA training camps.
Some of the prominent fighters who train there are Dominick Cruz, Phil Davis, Alexander Gustafsson and Ross Pearson.