“I feel like this is my opportunity.”

CageCraze.com Profile: Casey “Hellbent” Huffman

Photo: Mark Perry of MPFotografie

Casey Huffman has been a fixture in the Indiana fight scene for the past three years.  The middleweight training out of Kokomo, Indiana considers himself a striker, although he also teaches Brazilian jiu jitsu at the Garra BJJ gym.  Casey took 2010 by storm, winning all three of his professional fights by stoppage, but he’s not slowing down now.  When Yancy Medeiros was forced to withdraw from a Strikeforce Challengers fight due to a training injury, Casey answered the call and stepped up to face UFC veteran John Salter on short notice.  He will be making his Strikeforce debut this upcoming Friday, January 7th in Nashville, his first ever fight outside the state of Indiana and he assures us that he’s not overwhelmed

Casey took the time out of his busy training and work schedule to talk with CageCraze.com for an interview.

Can you tell us a little bit about Garra BJJ in Kokomo, Indiana?

It started off small.  It actually started off in a garage, the owner Tony Wright’s garage.  He lived in Brazil and trained a lot.  We’re actually a Barbosa affiliate from Brazil and it’s pretty amazing.  It’s really catching on.  People are actually realizing that it’s an established, great place to train.  People are travelling to train with us.  I actually trained my last opponent, from my last fight in October.  He came over and trains with us now.  You’ve got Dan Head running the MMA program over there who is a very established fighter and one of my best friends in the whole world.  We’re really starting to gain momentum.  People are finally starting to notice when we go to a fight and there’s three or four of our guys showing up to an event and we’re going 4-0, 5-0.  People are finally starting to recognize us.

Can you tell us about your life trying to balance being a fighter with working a 9-5 job?

It’s tough, it’s very tough.  I work at a factory.  I work for Chrysler at a Die Cast plant so I’m on my feet working all day.  There are days where I come home and I don’t want to get up.  I don’t want to get up and lift weights.  I don’t want to get up and go train jiu jitsu or Muay Thai or anything.  I’m thankful for having a good woman behind me, my fiancé Michelle, she pushes me, “Come on this is your dream!  It’s time to get up, it’s time to go!  You don’t have time to be tired right now.”  It’s hard trying to balance everything but I have a really good family and they’re all behind me backing me in all of this.  It’s tough but they help me make it through.

You mentioned the family, just how important is your family in your career right now?

It’s one of the most important things.  I think if I didn’t have a big family supporting me I don’t think there’s any way I could be doing this right now.  It’s hard sometimes because I have young children and I hate being away so much because to be in shape, to be really good at this sport, you have to donate a lot of time on top of also having a 9-5 job so you’re gone a lot.  I hate being away, but I try to make special time when we are together.  It’s important, they’re my driving force in all of this.

Family even helped create Casey’s nickname

When I told my mother I was gonna start cagefighting.  She said to me, “You’re absolutely hellbent on giving me a heart attack aren’t you?”  It just kinda stuck. (laughs)

You mentioned your opponent from your last fight against Roberto Nieto, he really gave you a stern test.  Your first two professional fights were really quick where you blitzed your opponents and got a first round stoppage.  What did you learn about yourself from a tougher test like that fight?

I really learned that I can be faced with tough opposition, you know?  A lot of my amateur fights and my first couple pro fights, like you said I blitzed through the guys.  I kinda got caught in a position against Robbie where he was taking my best shots and maybe they would wobble him, maybe they would knock him down but he’d keep coming.  The guy was like the energizer bunny, he’s got heart.  The biggest heart I’ve ever seen from any fighter in my life.  It’s like no matter what you do he’ll keep coming.  I remember in between the 2nd and 3rd round telling my corner that I think I’m gonna have to hit the guy with an anvil to get him outta here.  I learned that I can really push through and that I’m pretty decent in all areas.  I always question myself because you always have to question your cardio, question your heart if you go into the later rounds.  Your burst and your brute strength are gone later in a fight.  You’re exhausted, you’re winded but you’re still fighting and I proved to myself that I can do that.

All of your amateur and professional fights have been in Indiana.  What’s it like stepping out into new territory in Nashville for your Strikeforce debut?

It’s actually exciting really.  I took the fight on very short notice so that alleviates some of the nerves because no one really knows who I am or what I’m capable of.  My dream is to fight and my dream is to fight at the big shows so this opportunity is really exciting.

Can you tell us a little bit about your mindset taking a fight on short notice?

My mindset is pretty good.  I try to stay in shape all the time.  I’m not the type of guy that puts on a lot of weight in between fights.  I try to always eat healthy, stay in pretty good shape and I try to make sure I’m always 2-3 weeks out of being in prime shape for a fight.  Obviously it’s always best to have 6-8 weeks to prepare for a fight but I think when you stay in shape, you can keep your mind focused on your goals and you’re capable of fighting on short notice and doing it well.

What’s it like taking on an opponent like John Salter, a guy that actually earned a win in the UFC?

I haven’t watched a lot of footage on him, I’ve left that to my head trainers.  I know he’s definitely going to be my biggest challenge so far.  He fought in the UFC, I believe he wrestled in college near Missouri and he’s been training in some really good camps for a long time.  It’s one of those things where it’s a surreal experience.  I’m gonna be in there with one of the toughest guys around.  The guy fought in the UFC, I have great respect for anyone that does that.  If you fight there, you’re definitely one of the toughest guys around.  I have to respect every aspect of his game but I’m really looking forward to the challenge.  I’m looking to see how I fare against a guy like that.

Are you confident in your game plan against Salter?

I’m always confident in my game plan.  I think my strength in my skills is my stand up.  I know I don’t have a really good pedigree in wrestling but I’m able to use my wrestling in reverse and have a lot of success.  I have good takedown defense and I’m comfortable off my back.  If I don’t think I can get a submission there, I’m able to get the fight back to my feet.  I’m confident in my skills and I think I really have a good chance at this.  I know I’m the underdog by quite a bit because nobody really knows anything about me going into this because he’s already had fights on the big show and has been training and winnings against some top guys.

Are you feeling any extra pressure considering how big of a career opportunity this is?

As of right now, I know it’s kinda early in my pro career because I’m only 3-0 but I just turned 30 years old this past July.  I feel like maybe it’s not so much my days are numbered right now but they could be getting that way and my opportunities are gonna come short the older I get.  When I got this opportunity I knew there was no way I was gonna turn it down.  If this is the only opportunity I have, I have to capitalize on it.  I’m not feeling any extra pressure because this is one of my dreams.  I’ve always wanted to fight.  Ever since I started I wanted to be in the big shows.  I wanted to be one of the recognizable faces in MMA so I feel like this is my opportunity.  Really, there’s no pressure at all.  I’m just excited to be here.

UFC 118: “Edgar vs. Penn 2,” which took place on Saturday, Aug. 28 from Boston has come and gone and now the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission has weighed in and issued their medical suspensions. Keep in mind that many of these suspensions can be ended sooner with doctor approval. Here’s the list:

Nick Osipczak: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact for precautionary reasons.

Greg Soto: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact for precautionary reasons.

Amilcar Alves: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact for precautionary reasons.

John Salter: Suspended 180 days due to a possible left hand fracture pending physician X-Rays. Minimum suspension would be 30 days with 21 days no contact.

Gabe Ruediger: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact for precautionary reasons.

Nate Diaz: Suspended 180 days due to a possible nasal fracture pending physician X-Rays. Minimum suspension would be 60 days with 60 days no contact.

Marcus Davis: Suspended indefinitely due to possible head trauma pending physician CT Scan. Minimum suspension would be 60 days with 30 days no contact.

Kenny Florian: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact for precautionary reasons.

Gray Maynard: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact for precautionary reasons.

Dan Miller: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact for precautionary reasons.

Half-a-million dollars may sound like small potatoes to fans accustomed with the enormous payouts main event boxers often receive but in the case of Mixed Martial Arts it stands out as being one of the top per-fight salaries in the sport’s history. Those worlds collided earlier today when it was announced iconic boxer James Toney received an event-high $500,000 for his lackluster loss to former UFC double-divisional champ Randy Couture this past weekend at UFC 118 in Boston. Toney’s salary netted him more than $153,000 per minute spent in the Octagon and accounted for more than a third of the fully disclosed payroll.

Couture, by comparison, earned $250,000 for the first-round pummeling without any reported “win bonus” involved.

Their salaries were released earlier today along with the remainder of the card by the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission and reported by MMAWeekly.

The full list of salary results can be found below:

Mike Pierce – $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) def. Amilcar Alves – $6,000
Greg Soto – $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus) def. Nick Osipczak – $10,000
Dan Miller – $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus) def. John Salter – $8,000
Nik Lentz – $22,000 (includes $11,000 win bonus) def. Andre Winner - $10,000
Joe Lauzon – $84,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus, $60,000 “Submission of the Night” bonus) def. Gabe Ruediger – $8,000
Nate Diaz – $120,000 (includes $30,000 win bonus, $60,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus) def. Marcus Davis – $91,000 (includes $60,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus)
Gray Maynard – $46,000 (includes $23,000 win bonus) def. Kenny Florian – $65,000
Demian Maia – $68,000 (includes $34,000 win bonus) def. Mario Miranda – $8,000
Randy Couture – $250,000 def. James Toney – $500,000
Frankie Edgar – $96,000 (includes $48,000 win bonus) def. B.J. Penn – $150,000

While this past weekend's UFC 118 event concluded without a single
knockout, that doesn't mean the night's competitors escaped without
issue.

The Massachusetts State Athletic Commission today emailed the list of UFC 118 medical suspensions to MMAjunkie.com.

The evening's four main-event and co-main-event competitors were each
cleared to return immediately, though Nate Diaz and John Salter's
six-month orders led a list of 10 fighters suspended by the commission.

Fans and fighters are pumped as the UFC rolls into Boston for the first time in promotional history! Join Five Ounces of Pain as we bring you live results as action unfolds at the TD Garden.

Who will be next in line for the winner of the evening’s main event, Gray Maynard or Ken Florian? Will BJ Penn reclaim his lightweight championship against Frank Edgar? Can James Toney land a punch before Randy Couture scores a takedown?

Read below to find out!

The full list of UFC 118 results is as follows:

Mike Pierce def. Amilcar Alves via Submission Round 3 (Armbar)
Greg Soto def. Nick Osipczak via Unanimous Decision
Dan Miller def. John Salter via Submission Round 2 (Anaconda Choke)
Nik Lentz def. Andre Winner via Unanimous Decision
Joe Lauzon def. Gabe Ruediger via Submission Round 1 (Armbar)
Nate Diaz def. Marcus Davis via Submission Round 3 (Guillotine Choke)
Gray Maynard def. Ken Florian via Unanimous Decision
Demian Maia def. Mario Miranda via Unanimous Decision
Randy Couture def. James Toney via Submission Round 1 (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Frank Edgar def. BJ Penn via Unanimous Decision

Tonight’s “UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn II” event takes place at the TD Garden in Boston, Mass. The event is headlined by a UFC lightweight title fight between champion Frankie Edgar vs. former champ BJ Penn. The co-main event features a heavyweight match between former UFC champ and UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture vs. four times heavyweight boxing champion James Toney.

The MMA News will provide live “Quick Results” for UFC 118 at approximately 7:30 PM EST (4:30 PM PST).

Preceding tonight’s live UFC 118 pay-per-view, two preliminary bouts will be shown free on the “UFC Prelims” special on Spike TV and will also be streamed live for free on the internet at UFC.com/live starting at 9 PM EST (6 PM PST).

Watch live behind the scenes locker room coverage at UFC.com starting at 10 PM EST (7PM PST).

As always The MMA News keeps the live results off the main page to prevent spoilers for anyone just watching the pay-per-view (no prelim spoilers).

Here are the full Quick Results for “UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn II”:

Main Card

Lightweight championship bout: Frankie Edgar def. B.J. Penn via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Heavyweight bout: Randy Couture def. James Toney via submission (arm triangle) – R1 @ 3:19
Middleweight bout: Demian Maia def. Mario Miranda via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27))
Lightweight bout: Gray Maynard def. Kenny Florian via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Welterweight bout: Nate Diaz def. Marcus Davis via technical submission (guillotine choke) – R3 @ 4:02

Spike TV Preliminary Bouts

Lightweight bout: Joe Lauzon def. Gabe Ruediger via submission (armbar) – R1 @ 2:01
Lightweight bout: Nik Lentz def. Andre Winner via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Preliminary Bouts

Middleweight bout: Dan Miller vs. John Salter via submission (anaconda choke) – R2 @ 1:53
Welterweight bout: Greg Soto def. Nick Osipczak via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight bout: Mike Pierce def. Amilcar Alves via submission (cross-body-armbar) – R3 @ 3:11

You know what they say about opinions, everyone has one, so I might as well share mine. Now of course the usual gambling disclaimer – I guarantee no successful wagering from these predictions. Any losses are your problem. But 10% of your winnings are mine. Fair enough? Great, keep reading!

Odds from Bodog.com.

Mike Pierce -250 vs Amilcar Alves +190
I’m liking Alves in this fight. Pierce is a tough SOB, no doubt about it. His only 3 losses are all via decision, and two of those against the likes of Jon Fitch in 2009 and Mark Munoz in 2007. In decisions, he’s 5-3. Alves, on the other hand, is 4-0 in decisions – his only loss coming by way of submission. Now, agreed, Alvess’ wins are against nobody you’ve ever heard of, but I see this being a war with Alves as the winner. Another reason to bet Alves? He trains with the likes of Jose Aldo, Thales Leites, Vitor Ribeiro, Wagnney Fabiano, and Marlon Sandro. The only training partner I can find of Pierce of mention is Rick Story. Another reason to bet Alves? Did you see the weigh in? Alves is much larger than Pierce and although I hate to admit it myself sometimes, size DOES matter. While this is certainly a close fight, I like Alves for a play.

John Salter +235 vs Dan Miller -295
I think we’ll finally get to see what Salter is truly made of in this tough matchup for him. His debut was a last minute replacement loss for him to Gerald Harris so you can’t really hold it against the guy too much. And his second UFC fight was against Jason MacDonald, who broke his ankle halfway through round one. I’ve got a rule I typically like to follow in MMA wagering though. Never bet against a guy who’s fighting for his UFC career. Dan Miller is on a three fight losing streak, however it’s against the cream of the crop – Sonnen, Maia, and Bisping. Even though those are huge names, I don’t see the UFC retaining him if he loses. I like Miller in this fight, but not enough to bet him on his short odds.

Nick Osipczak -180 vs Greg Soto +150
Undefeated other than a controversial split decision to Rick Story. Osipczak is a member of England stable Team Rough House. It’s not only his only loss, but only time he’s ever went to a decision, which includes two wins in the UFC. Soto is a student at Pellegrino MMA which has produced such stars as, well, uh, just Kurt Pellegrino really. His only UFC fight was a loss to Matt Riddle via DQ from an unfortunate upkick. I like Osipczak in this fight. He’s got the right team, the right experience, and is larger than Soto too. I like Osipczak for a play.

Nick Lentz -110 vs Andre Winner -120
I definetly like Nick Lentz in this matchup. Winner is 2-2-1 in his last five, 2-1 in UFC, with a win over Rafaello Oliveira not counting much as Oliveira took the fight on short notice. Lentz is 9-0-2 in his last eleven, 2-0-1 in the UFC, and having a win over a prepared Oliveira. His wins over Rob Emerson, draw with Thiago Tavares, and win over Oliviera is much better than Winner’s loss to Ross Pearson, win over Roland Delgado, and win over Oliveira. I’m not quite sure why this is so even in the Vegas eyes, but hey, lucky me, I’m taking Lentz.

Gabe Reudiger +300 vs Joe Lauzon -450
I don’t like any plays on this fight as I think the odds are about right. Reudiger has been out of the big matchups for some time, although riding a 6 fight win streak. Joe Lauzon is getting better all the time, but losses against Sam Stout and Kenny Florian are mars on his record. Nothing terribly strikes me out of this matchup to give me much a gut feeling that makes me think the odds justify any plays.

Nate Diaz -200 vs Marcus Davis +160
I like Marcus Davis here. He only has one loss by submission and that was way back in 2004. That’s Nate Diaz’s gravy – 8 of his 12 wins are via submission. I don’t see Marcus Davis being knocked out either. Although Nate’s hands are certainly a handful, Davis has a strong boxing background. Thus I see this going to a decision. Diaz isn’t good at decisions, he’s 1-4 when it goes the full three rounds. Davis is 3-3 in the same situation. And with a bet on Davis paying 1.6 to 1, all the more reason to bet him. I like a play on Davis.

Kenny Florian -160 vs Gray Maynard +130
I do believe this is the hardest fight to call on the card. Both are so tough, it really could go either way and has Fight of the Night written all over it. My initial gut feeling was the rememberance of Sean Sherk totally dominating the wrestling game against Florian, and Maynard’s superb wrestling skills. However, that poor showing was in 2006, and Florian has been training with perhaps the best wrestler in MMA, GSP, for this fight so I don’t think it’ll be much an issue. Too close to call.

Demian Maia -265 vs Mario Miranda +205
Does Miranda’s black belt in BJJ and Greco-roman wrestling experience mean he can submit Maia? Probably not, but he doesn’t need to. Half of his wins are actually by knockout (6 out of 12). What it DOES mean though is that perhaps he can avoid the submission attempts by Maia (8 out of 12 wins coming by submission). While I do believe Maia is the favorite here, with Miranda’s superior striking and possible ability to defend the submission attempts by Maia, I think the 2 to 1 odds justify a play.

Randy Couture -575 vs James Toney +350
I typically stay away from matchups with these types of odds. Couture is such a favorite, you have to risk a lot to win little. And while Toney can pay big, the huge underdog often doesn’t come in enough to make it worthwhile. If I had to bet, if I was absolutely forced to, I would bet on Toney. With odds those long, often no fighter who makes it inside the cage door is that big an underdog. There’s always the “puncher’s chance”. And if anyone has a “puncher’s chance” who’s ever been inside the ring, it’s James Toney. But I wouldn’t bet on it.

BJ Penn -325 vs Frankie Edgar +250
I think the odds are about right on this one. I think Edgar is probably getting a lot of play. You say, “Hey. He beat him last time. Wasn’t even a split decision. It was unanimous. 2.5 to every dollar? I’m in.” But there’s reasons Penn is a big favorite. And the biggest reason is that a motivated BJ Penn is the most dangerous lightweight fighter in the world today. However, this IS a play on this fight I DO like. Bodog is paying +110 on bets that Penn finishes inside the distance. I see Penn making a statement this fight and finishing it well within 5 rounds. That’s a play I like.

Summary:

Alves +190 to win
Osipczak -180 to win
Lentz -110 to win
Davis +160 to win
Miranda +205 to win
Penn to win inside the distance +110

Iconic boxer James Toney has likely been to more weigh-ins in his life than he can remember, but it’s likely he won’t ever forget the proceedings for his bout against former UFC double-divisional champion Randy Couture for more reasons than the simply its relationship to his Mixed Martial Arts debut. Fans in Boston who showed up at the event, as many might have expected, were a raucous group and were even rumored to have started up a chant of “sub-ti-tles” in reference to the clarity of Toney’s speech.

Toney stepped on the scale at 237 pounds, officially seventeen clicks higher than Couture who measured in at 220 with blue jeans, socks, and over-priced dogtags still on his frame.

Also unique to the weigh-in was the presentation of a cake reading “Sorry for your loss!” to Joe Lauzon from opponent, newly signed Gabe Ruediger. Ruediger gained notoriety during his stint on the Ultimate Fighter Season 5 for eating chocolate cake, then coming in heavy to a fight and eventually losing his spot on the show for his inability to make weight.

For UFC 118, Ruediger apparently had no such issues and came in right at 155 pounds (while Lauzon was actually the bigger man at 156). Their preliminary fight, as is the clash between Nik Lentz and Andre Winner, will be available to watch on Spike TV before the PPV portion of the card.

The complete list of “UFC 118” weigh-in results is as follows:

Mike Pierce (171 lbs) vs. Amilcar Alves (171 lbs)
Nick Osipczak (171 lbs) vs. Greg Soto (170 lbs)
Dan Miller (185 lbs) vs. John Salter (185 lbs)
Andre Winner (154 lbs) vs. Nik Lentz (155 lbs)
Joe Lauzon (156 lbs) vs. Gabe Ruediger (155 lbs)
Demian Maia (184 lbs) vs. Mario Miranda (185 lbs)
Nate Diaz (171 lbs) vs. Marcus Davis (170 lbs)
Ken Florian (156 lbs) vs. Gray Maynard (156 lbs)
Randy Couture (220 lbs) vs. James Toney (237 lbs)
Frank Edgar (154 lbs) vs. BJ Penn (154 lbs)

UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn II is set for tommorow, August 28 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachuesetts and will air live on pay-per-view at 10PM ET/7PM PT and will feature current lightweight champion Frankie Edgar taking on former champion BJ Penn and will also showcase Randy “The Natural” Couture taking on boxing champion James Toney. The weigh ins are all said and done, and there were no big surprises. Fans went crazy for Penn and Couture as you’d expect while Edgar was showered with boos.

UFC 118 Weigh In Results:

Main Card

Lightweight championship bout: Frankie Edgar (154) vs. B.J. Penn (154)
Heavyweight bout: Randy Couture (220) vs. James Toney (237)
Lightweight bout: Kenny Florian (156) vs. Gray Maynard (156)
Welterweight bout: Marcus Davis (170) vs. Nate Diaz (171)
Middleweight bout: Demian Maia (184) vs. Mario Miranda (185)

Spike TV Preliminary Bouts

Lightweight bout: Joe Lauzon (156) vs. Gabe Ruediger (155)
Lightweight bout: Nik Lentz (155) vs. Andre Winner (154)

Preliminary Bouts

Middleweight bout: Dan Miller (185) vs. John Salter (185)
Welterweight bout: Nick Osipczak (171) vs. Greg Soto (170)
Welterweight bout: Mike Pierce (171) vs. Amilcar Alves (171)

It isn't much of a choice for Dan Miller.

The UFC middleweight hasn't gotten a full training camp to prepare for John Salter at Saturday's UFC 118 event, and the former IFL champion and one-time fast-rising middleweight contender knows it could be his last chance to make an impression after three consecutive losses in the octagon.

But this is what he does: He fights.