In mid-November, it was made official that Charles “Crazy Horse” Bennett would not be able to travel to Japan to compete in the S-1 Lightweight Shootboxing tournament.
With an attractive offer and only two weeks notice, a veteran fighter stepped to the plate to face not one, but three, of the world’s best shootboxers in a modified version of modern mixed martial arts competition.
On Nov. 23, Toby Imada, in a game of chance for a shot at opportunity, pulled off two upset victories to advance to the finals of the Shootboxing S-Cup in his greatest performance in 12 years of competition.
In pursuit of rest and relaxation, and to catch up with good friends, the Fury Full Contact Fighting and Bellator Fighting Championship veteran and Sherdog 2009 Submission of the Year recipient visited Guam and had a few things to say in between paddle boarding, folding shirts at the Fokai Shop and recovering from wounds sustained on his epic night of victory and defeat.
Q: How long have you been in the game and what is your training background?
A: Started with judo in 1991, wrestled ’94-96, started training jiu-jitsu 1998. Had first (no holds barred) fight around August 1998.
Q: Fighting will get you nowhere — true or false?
A: Definitely ‘can.’
Q: Twelve years in the game, 32 years old and you’re at a point of career highlight; how did you overcome less-than-pleasant years and defeat in MMA?
A: Initially I didn’t take it serious, but liked it enough to continue with it. I also felt like I was right at the heels of all the other top fighters out there and knew all that I had to do to be there with them was to put in the effort and train. That’s when it started to pay off.
Q: Talk to us about your last tournament.
A: I was offered a slot in the S-Cup tournament, which is held every other year, competing among some of the best shootboxers in the world so I had to take advantage of the opportunity. Given that every opponent I faced held titles in shootboxing and K-1, I probably had the toughest bracket in the entire tournament. First fight I drew the welterweight champ and won via KO; second, the three-time S-Cup champ K-1 max champ, and won the decision, however, going into the finals I had sustained a considerable amount of damage and it showed. So for never competing in the sport, I am very pleased with my performance.
Q: With MMA’s growing talent, how does it feel to compete in one-day tournaments against high-level competitors?
Q: Tell us a little bit about your submission of the year.
A: Last year I finished one of my fights with an inverse triangle from the feet. That was the first time it was executed in competition and got a lot of publicity. It got nominated by the World MMA Awards, Sherdog and ESPN’s Inside MMA for submission of the year.
Q: With these career highlights, many would think you belong in the UFC. Is the UFC in your target plans?
A: Definitely something to consider, but in the meantime I continue to work on myself.
Q: What are your thoughts on martial arts as sport and martial arts as lifestyle?
A: Great as a sport. Martial arts has great attributes and always has had a positive effect on the world. As a lifestyle, I guess to each their own and how they translate the essence of it all within themselves.
Q: What are some important lessons you’ve learned in your years of competition and travel?
A: I stress keeping an open mind and don’t ever be afraid or timid; these will only hold you back.
Q: In what ways have you come across Guam in your travels?
A: I think Guam found me.
Q: Any words for Guam’s massive MMA fan base?
A: Thanks for supporting the sport and its spirit. It’s for people like you we are where we are — familia.
Q: What keeps you coming back to Guam?
A:TheVibe
