(3 of 3) Tuck gained a good amount of experience and exposure to the atmosphere late last year when he was invited to train with some of the world’s best fighters in Abu Dhabi. Since then his goal has been clear.

100 percent

“My main focus is this competition. When I make goals, I don’t make too many at one time because I don’t want to focus 50 percent on BJJ and 50 percent on other things. It has to be 100 percent jiu-jitsu,” Tuck said. “When this is done, then I’ll focus 100 percent on MMA or something else.” This work ethic and dedication, Tuck said, is in his genes.

No giving up

Being a single mother, Cruz-Quintanilla had her hands full during her son’s younger years. But giving up, she said, was never an option. “It definitely wasn’t easy raising a son alone,” Cruz-Quintanilla said. “Thankfully, I had the support of my family and many friends. That’s one of the best parts of life here on Guam — almost everyone is willing to help out.” Cruz-Quintanilla said that her brother, Frank Cruz, and his wife, Loretta Cruz, played huge roles in raising Tuck. “They really helped me with Jonathan, and Frank was a father figure to him,” she said. “They’ve always been there for me and to help my mom. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be the man that I am today, and I wouldn’t have the opportunities that I have today. They are my guardian angels and I want to thank them, my family, and my mom,” Tuck said. “Especially my mom — she’s been my best friend since I was born.”

MOST HATED

A local mixed martial arts fighter with a criminal history has been accused of two unrelated, violent attacks that allegedly left victims bruised and bleeding only two weeks apart. Alex James Castro, 29, has been in and out of the ring and the courtroom over the last decade. Now he faces two more criminal cases in court.

Castro allegedly pistol-whipped a man, taped his mouth shut and demanded $3,000 a month on Jan. 24, according to court documents. Thirteen days later, Castro allegedly beat another man with a fire extinguisher in a Tumon bar. Both incidents began in the same plaza of bars and clubs across the street from the Hyatt Regency Guam. The plaza is only a short walk from the Tumon police precinct. Yesterday, Guam Police Department spokesman John Edwards did not answer questions about the case. Edwards confirmed he received questions that were e-mailed to him yesterday afternoon but had provided no answers as of 8 p.m. At this point it is unclear if police pursued or apprehended Castro after the Jan. 24 incident. It is also unclear how or why he was free and able to allegedly commit another violent crime two weeks later. He was arrested last Friday. On Jan. 24, Castro, his victim and two other men went from Club Hana in Tumon to Castro’s residence to “hang out,” according to a Superior Court declaration signed by Assistant Attorney General William Pole. Once inside, Castro allegedly drew a gun and allegedly “pistol whipped” his victim, the declaration states. An unidentified man held the victim while Castro allegedly struck him over and over. Police officers later noticed bruising and swelling on the victim’s eyes, nose and ribs, the declaration states. The victim was stripped and his mouth was taped shut, the documents state. He was allegedly hit more than 10 times — sometimes with a gun, sometimes with a fist, documents state. “… Alex Castro demanded $3,000 a month and (the victim) agreed so the beating would stop,” the declaration states. “(The victim) further reported that he had $300 taken from him that night.”Julius Santos was at the residence during the beating, according to the court documents. Santos couldn’t be reached for comment yesterday. Santos hasn’t been charged with a crime and the Superior Court documents attribute no wrongdoing to Santos.After the attack, Santos confirmed the victim’s allegations against Castro with police. According to court documents, Santos told police that Castro had a handgun, took money from the victim and demanded monthly payments. Regardless, Castro was still loose two weeks later, when he allegedly attacked another man at Club Hana. According to separate court documents, Castro allegedly struck his second victim with a fire extinguisher on Feb. 6, causing him to topple to the ground. “At that point, Alex James Castro went to stomp on his head,” states a Superior Court declaration signed by Assistant Attorney General Shane Black. The victim was left in “excruciating pain and was pleading,” the declaration states.

Criminal history

These brutal allegations aren’t the first raised against Castro. Castro has been charged with felonies six times since 2000, according to Superior Court records. Most of his case files were not available yesterday, but court records were able to confirm that at least some allegations led to conviction, probation and parole. The most recent allegation was raised in 2007, when Castro was accused of threatening his then-girlfriend, her family and a neighbor with a handgun. These charges were dismissed. The charges against Castro were dismissed later after his then-girlfriend and her mother signed declarations stating they weren’t sure they saw a gun or that Castro threatened them.

First-degree robbery as a first-degree felony with a special allegation of use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony

Aggravated assault as a third-degree felony with a special allegation of use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony
Feb. 6 incident

Aggravated assault as a second-degree felony with a special allegation of use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony

Assault as a misdemeanor

Reckless conduct as a misdemeanor