Author: Garrett Derr

In order for an individual to one day become great, he or she must face and overcome the trials and hardships of life.

Joseph Sandoval (6-1) not only overcame adversity but came out not solely a better fighter, but a man as well.

In result, Sandoval is now fighting at the premier stage of mixed martial arts also known as the UFC, where he will take on Nick Denis (10-2) at UFC on FX on Jan. 20.

UFC on FX will take place at the Bridgestone Arena located in Nashville, Tenn. beginning at 6 p.m. PT and 9 p.m. ET.

In a recent interview with Bleacher Report’s Garrett Derr, Sandoval discussed his journey to the UFC and how he came to make a profession out of it.

“I was just young at the time, coming up through middle school when I watched a UFC event with my grandfather for the very first time. I believe it was when Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock met for the second time, if I’m not mistaken,” Sandoval said. “I kind of fell in love with it ever since that moment.”

“My grandfather really got me into it and I eventually decided to go train with a small gym in Texas. We started working out and it didn’t have the enthusiasm I was looking for at the time. Things happened in my life and my family went through a divorce. It was a difficult time for my brothers and sisters as we moved out of the area. From there, the rest is history,” he said.

Sandoval was able to overcome the roadblocks in his life by winning the first six fights of his professional career.

Following his victory over Randy Hinds at Shark Fights 16, Sandoval’s career would change forever.

“I was walking home from the gym when my manager called me and said there might be a promotion to the UFC,” Sandoval said. “But, he told me it might be a one-fight deal. At first I said no, I don’t want to be that guy who gets one fight and is done.”

“My coach contacted me later and told me it was now a four-fight contract. At first I thought he was lying or pulling my leg. He confirmed it and I was ready to go right then and there. After they left I was like a school girl jumping on the bed. It was a dream come true,” he said.

However, things didn’t go as planned as Sandoval would be defeated by Walel Watson in the first-round of action at UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson.

“It was the first time I had ever been beaten. To be honest, it hurt my pride a little bit. It didn’t kill me too much as I was back in the gym two weeks later. I think I could have kept going in that fight, but the credit goes to Walel, his game plan was perfect for me,” he said.

Sandoval will get a second stab at his first UFC victory when he takes on Denis in just a few short hours at UFC on FX.

In order to be declared victorious, Sandoval will have to avoid Denis’ knockout power as he’s finished nine opponents by way of knockout over the course of his career.

“I feel that I have the advantage in boxing heading into things. I know his ground game and jiu-jitsu is solid. Hopefully he likes to stand up and bang so we can make it a great fight for the fans,” Sandoval said. “I feed off the crowd, so hopefully things go my way.”

“I’m always just going for the ‘W’. I always want to keep the fight on my feet, but if it goes down, then it goes down. I’m fine with grounding and pounding and banging it out. I’ll take a decision victory as well,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval currently fights in the UFC’s 135-pound weight division and has his entire career. However, with the addition of the flyweight division, fans shouldn’t be surprised to see Sandoval making the transition to 125 pounds.

“Honestly, we’ve talked about dropping to 125. I know it’s something I can definitely do and I know I can make it happen. But, you just don’t know how you’ll feel. I might experiment and see how I feel,” Sandoval said. “If it works for me and I’m feeling good, then yes, I’ll definitely drop down to the flyweights.”

While Sandoval is certainly on an all-out search for his first Octagon victory, he’s more concerned with being the best man he can be at all times.

Sandoval’s performance inside the ring is simply just one part of his busy life as his main focus is making a difference in the lives of children and those in need.

“Of course I want to make it to the top, but my goals go past the Octagon. I just want to look out for my own children. I want to help kids and be there for them. I want to keep them out of the streets and I want to help others in need,” Sandoval said.

“I don’t want to hold everything for my family and I. I want to spread the wealth for others who are less fortunate.”

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.

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After being victorious in three of his first four fights inside the Octagon, Charlie Brenneman (14-3) was slated to take on Anthony “Rumble” Johnson on national television in the nation’s capital of Washington D.C.

Brenneman’s night came to a close earlier than expected as he was defeated via head kick in the very first round.

But, as we know, a single fight doesn’t define an individual’s career as “The Spaniard” will be back in action when he takes on Daniel Roberts at UFC on FX.

UFC on FX will take place at the Bridgestone Arena located in Nashville, Tennessee on January 20th beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT and 9:00 p.m. ET.

In a recent interview with Bleacher Report’s Garrett Derr, Brenneman discussed his upcoming bout with Roberts, his famous nickname, and more.

“Ever since I entered the sport, people have been asking me where “The Spaniard” came from,” said Brenneman. “A lot of people think it came from the movie “Gladiator” but it actually didn’t.

“I was going to become a Spanish teacher. So, every summer we’d do a wrestling camp and because of my long hair and my background in Spanish, people started calling me “The Spaniard.” Since then, the nickname has just kind of stuck”, stated Brenneman.

Long hair and all, Brenneman is currently in the final stages of preparations for his bout with Roberts in just a few short hours at UFC on FX. Brenneman feels more prepared than ever and has his AMA fight team to thank.

“Our gym is decently known and we’re really starting to grow. Right now we’re located in North Jersey. I really have to thank all the guys who’ve been helping me prepare for this fight.

“Dan Miller, Rafaello Oliveira and some other guys have been pushing me to the max. To be honest, with everyone’s busy schedules it’s the core group of guys who help make the camp go,” said Brenneman.

While Brenneman may be just your everyday, ordinary fighter, his journey to the UFC is much different than most. On his way to establishing himself as a potential contender in the UFC’s welterweight divsion, Brenneman has been joined by his brother Ben, who is three-and-a-half years older.

“Ben has been by my side since day one. He’s my chief adviser and he gets me a lot of my sponsorships. Earlier on in my career he was managing everything. He literally took care of everything in my career. He is a jack of all trades,” said Brenneman. “He’s one of my best friends and I have a lot to thank him for.”

As Brenneman continues to train for his welterweight matchup with Roberts, his brother Ben will certainly remain by his side. Despite coming off a recent defeat to Johnson, many fans were surprised to see Brenneman get the matchup he did as Roberts has lost two consecutive bouts with little to no flashiness.

But, Brenneman wasn’t the least bit surprised when he received word that he’d be meeting Roberts in Nashville, Tennessee.

“I didn’t know who I would be fighting to be honest,” said Brenneman. “Daniel is just as good as some of the other guys I could have faced so I’m pleased with the matchup.”

“I didn’t really know where I was going to be placed. But either way, I’m in the sport to be the best I can be. I’m in the sport to make a living for my family. So in the end, it doesn’t really matter to me who I fight,” stated Brenneman.

Brenneman is confident that his skill set will be more than enough to receive the nod over Roberts on January 20th.

“If you take a look at the different areas of the overall fight game I think I’m the better fighter. I know he has a lot of skills in the submission. But, my bread and butter lies in my wrestling game which plays into his strength,” stated Brenneman. “So, that’s something I’ll have to be careful of.”

While Brenneman is on the home stretch leading up to his bout with Roberts, his fellow welterweights Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit are rigorously training for their main event showdown at UFC 143 on February 4th.  

Brenneman took the time to weigh in on this interim championship bout and gave his predictions for how he thought the fight might unfold.

“If I’m being completely honest with you and myself, I think Condit is going to win. I don’t think Diaz will be able to dominate like he has in the past. I like Condit because he’s long and has great range. Also, if the fight goes to the ground, I don’t see Diaz submitting him by any means,” stated Brenneman.

Regardless of the outcome at UFC on FX, Brenneman is thankful for many things in life and knows January 20th will be another chance to learn and improve.

“I have so many people I could thank. Of course Ben has helped me a tremendous amount. However, my dad is the one who put me into wrestling to begin with. He’s been by my side and I love him,” said Brenneman.

“That’s why I’m where I’m at today. So, thanks dad.”

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

After beginning his Octagon career with a perfect 2-0 record, Duane “Bang” Ludwig (21-11) spent time fighting outside of the UFC for nearly four years.

Following a career in Strikeforce and then the ROF, Ludwig got the call that he would be returning to the highest stage of mixed martial arts, the UFC.

In a recent interview with Bleacher Report’s Garrett Derr, Ludwig discussed his return to the UFC along with his upcoming fight against Josh Neer at UFC on FX.

“I knew it was going to happen,” said Ludwig. “I knew I would return and be fighting in the UFC again someday. The timing of my return wasn’t under the best circumstances. But, I decided I had to take the fight regardless.”

Ludwig’s unmentioned circumstances led him to two consecutive losses to Jim Miller and Darren Elkins in his first two outings.

However, Ludwig would respond by defeating Nick Osipczak at UFC 122 and Amir Sadollah in August of 2011.

The hard-hitting Ludwig is now slated to take on Josh Neer in a few short hours at UFC on FX which will take place in Nashville, Tennessee beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT and 9:00 p.m. ET.

Ludwig will be facing Neer who is currently on the best stretch of his career having won five consecutive bouts. But, “Bang” isn’t the slightest bit surprised of his matchup.

“I actually wasn’t too surprised. We’re all aware that the UFC creates great matchups”, said Ludwig. “I think they made another great matchup between Josh and I.”

“I really like my matchup against Josh. I feel I have a few advantages heading into our bout. I feel that my speed and power will help me greatly. I also think my footwork, timing, creativity, combinations, and wrestling are a step ahead of his”, said Ludwig.

While Ludwig certainly feels he has the upper hand over Neer, he certainly isn’t taking his opponent lightly, by any stretch of the imagination.

“Josh is an all-around great fighter. I feel like he has a stronger ground game than I do for the most part”, said Ludwig.

As Ludwig moves forward in his career, he’s not necessarily concerned with what the future may hold as his main focus is on Neer.

“A UFC title isn’t even in my sight right now. Only Josh is in my cross-hairs. However, another win especially over Josh will be great for my career at this point in time”, said Ludwig.

In fact, Ludwig feels that he’s already accomplished his goals in life as simple as they may sound.

“I’m accomplishing my goal of happiness. Training and fighting is in my blood”, said Ludwig. “Being able to do these two things keeps me focused and happy.”

While Ludwig will certainly always be remembered for the fastest knockout in UFC history, unofficial or not, he wants to be remembered as a down-to-earth type of man.

Behind the lightning fast knockout power is an ordinary guy who enjoys the simplicity of life.

“I’m into a few things outside of fighting like metaphysics and quantum physics. I’m also very interested in the human mind and its effect on reality. In addition, I’m also a big animal lover and bit of a tree hugger”, laughed Ludwig. 

Ludwig closed by thanking those who’ve been by his side since the very beginning of his career.

“I’ve had a lot of help from Bas Rutten to Trevor Wittman to Sven Bean over the years. And, most importantly, I’d like to thank my wife.” 

To learn more about Duane Ludwig, follow him on Twitter.

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com