'I'm looking to make a statement," - Matt Caracappa talks about his journey to CFFC
For Matt Caracappa, CFFC 116 is the perfect opportunity to make a statement. The lightweight is looking to make his return to the cage for the first time in over three years a memorable one.
“I’m looking to make a statement,” Caracappa began. “I believe I can compete with the top 10 in the UFC and it’s only a matter of time until I get there.”
Caracappa will be making his long-awaited return to the cage next Friday on December 16th for his CFFC debut. Fighting out of Dante Rivera BJJ under the training of CFFC and UFC veteran Dante Rivera, Caracappa is looking to add a win to his resume and kick start his pro-career. Before his professional debut, Caracappa had maintained an undefeated amateur record. He competed at lightweight and featherweight and stacked up dominating performances on his resume, with four of his wins coming from stoppages. However, his journey to the pros hasn’t been easy. After losing his professional debut by split decision, Caracappa was looking for a change, or more specifically a change in scenery. Caracappa stated that after his loss, he wanted to press the reset button.
“Well, originally I planned on taking a break for a year and moving to California,” Caracappa stated. “I wanted to just get a reset on life and honestly I wanted to get away. A little before my professional debut I began getting involved with things I shouldn’t have and going into that fight I had a lot of regret I was holding onto.”
With the plan of taking a break, Caracappa headed West to begin training at the world famous Wild Card gym owned by boxing legend, Freddie Roach. With the focus of improving his boxing and stand up game, Caracappa began sparring and then eventually became a part of the gym as a team member. However, later that year during Christmas, Caracappa’s life turned around.
“After a few months of this, I flew back home to New Jersey to see my family for Christmas,” Caracappa said. “... and I wound up getting arrested because of alleged involvement in a drug ring. The charges I was facing were pretty serious and my life kind of turned upside after this.”
Carcappa decided to move back to California to continue his training. Though only a few months later, he found himself getting involved with Oxycontin and his addiction began.
“And after about five months is where I first got introduced to OxyContin,” Caracappa said. “And from there the past 2 years of my life have been in and out of rehab treatment centers fighting my addiction.”
Caracappa has since turned his life around and is looking to move forward on Friday night at CFFC 116. With being sober and actively being in recovery, Caracappa has been able to dedicate this past fight camp to fully training everyday, which he thanks his family for.
“Thanks to my family I was able to train full time for this fight,” Caracappa began. ”I didn’t have to work, just train. They believe in me just as much as I believe in myself and one day through fighting I will be able to pay them back.”
Caracappa has been eyeing his return for a while, but has put his sobriety first. Now finally clean, Carcappa is ready to bring his A-game to CFFC, and hopefully begin a successful MMA career.
“I’ve always planned on returning,” Caracappa said. “I just was always battling my addiction. I’m clean now for the first time in a long time.”
At CFFC 116, Caracappa will face New York-based lightweight Kyle “The Catdaddy” Kahler (0-0), who will be making his professional debut. Caracappa shared his excitement for his upcoming bout on Friday and debuting at CFFC. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and excited to catapult my career in their organization,” Caracappa expressed.
Although he's nervous, Caracappa is more excited than anything to finally be able to puth those gloves on, enter the cage, and put on a show for all to see. Despite the path that led to this moment, Caracappa feels as though it prepared him for this moment. Despite his struggle with addiction and the troubles he has faced, Caracappa believes that no matter the outcome of Friday’s fight, he has grown since then. Hopefully on December 16th, he will be able to show that growth on UFC Fight Pass.
“Even throughout my addiction, I never stopped training. It was always my top priority,” Carcappa said. “Not only did I grow as a fighter from the experience of training with world class boxers and trainers. But in the four years I grew as a man. I fought and won battles that nothing inside that cage could ever compare to.”
ARTICLE BY: SERENA GARCIA