North Carolina MMA Fighter Joseph Carroll Interview

by Erich Vowell on Dec 18, 2009 9:34 AM EST

Promoted To Frontpage From Fanpost Section By Kelvin Hunt

During weigh-in's for Wild Bill's Fight Night 24 I was able to sit down and talk with Joseph "ElDingoLoco" Carroll. This is not Carroll's first interview with MMA4Real. If you missed the first one check it out here. Joe is a professional mixed martial arts fighter fighting out of Claremont, NC. He's 2-1 as a pro and is looking to improve upon that record. We discuss cooking, the rivalry between North Carolina and Georgia fighters, sibling rivalry, and many more topics.

Erich: How is the weight cut going?

Carroll: It's going pretty good. Ya know I took this fight on like a weeks notice and I was at 171 at the time. So from there I made the cut to 155.

Erich:Does your experience in the Navy help you while your in the ring/cage?

Carroll: The experience has helped me be more controlled. When I am under fire, the experience I gained while in the Navy helps me stay in control of the situation.

Erich: What is your motivation for fighting?

Carroll: The competitive aspect. I love going into the cage and they lock you in there with your opponent. Nobody can help you. It is fun to show off what techniques you learn in training and see if you are truly better than your opponent.

Erich: Talk about Team Superior.

Carroll: Team Superior is run by my brother Roger Carroll II. He is a great trainer and has a black belt in Judo and a Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We hit hard, have great technique and our work ethic surpasses our peers. I think team Superior and team Huskey are the top schools in North Carolina. Both schools work together to make each other better. Our fighters don't flaunt what we do. But you are going to listen to us or we will armbar you.

Erich: How has Joe Hurst evolved you grappling?

Carroll:He is a phenomenal teacher, he doesn't sit back and yell at you like some other coaches. He walks you through the techniques slowly and methodically. He shows us that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a way of life.

Erich:Do you and your brother get into arguments? And if so does it lead to someone getting chocked out?

Carroll: (Laughs) Well it usually leads to me getting choked out (laughs) but every now and then I'll catch him. Sometimes well yell at each other but we usually work it out before the day is over with. If things get real bad and we need to be separated I have a great manager in Micheal Allen and he will help the situation out.

Erich: Is it easier having a brother to train with you?

Carroll: Yeah it is easier to train with my brother and people like him. But sometimes you get comfortable training with the same people so it is also good to train with people that are different from them.

Erich: When you fight outside North Carolina are you looking to antagonize the home town fans? Or are you looking to get in the cage do your business and get out?

Carroll: (smiles) I have always been a joker, I'm the guy that doesn't look like a fighter. I have painted nails, blond hair, and goofy looking. But I am also a guy that is going run across the cage jump up into the air and knee bar somebody. If you are 6 feet tall I'm gonna kick you in the face.

Erich: Is there a rivalry between North Carolina and Georgia fighters?

Carroll: I think (Georgia fighters) they just don't get our humor. We don't mean any harm in what we say, we are just being ourselves. Ya know some people don't have a sense of humor...we do.

Erich: Do you watch tape on your opponents?

Carroll: Yeah a little bit. You can't judge tape 100% though. Like maybe this guy was injured going into the fight or maybe the guy just had a bad day. It is good to watch tape but you have to take it with a gain of salt. Usually I can only find one fight on my opponent anyways.

Erich: What are you thinking about before you fight?

Carroll: Oh man I just have a whirlwind of thoughts. Like what did I get myself into, sometimes it's I'm gonna go out there and smash this dude. Other times I have peaceful thoughts and a few times I am thinking I have to pee.

Erich: What do you do in your free time?

Carroll: I don't have much free time. I pretty much training all the time. If I am not training I teach a kids class at . With the very little free time I do get, I play Texas Hold'em. I love playing Hold'em! Right now I am going to Johnson and Wales for my culinary arts degree.

Erich: Really! Wow what are some of your favorite foods to cook?

Carrol: I like Shepperd's pie if I am trying to put on some weight. Most of the time I like cooking myself chicken breasts with sweet onions. I'll either smoke or steam the onions.

Erich: Do you have any sponsors? And is it difficult to obtain sponsors?

Carroll: When I first started out it was, but since I've hooked up with Bread and Butter management they have been taking care of me very well. My sponsers that I would like to thank are No Quarter, McKoy's smokehouse and salon, Brio Italian, The Fight Lab, Ink culture, Hickory Chiropractic Clinic, MMAforreal.com, Team Huskey, SMA fighting (Team Superior), Chris Frye Elite function gym, American stand up, Charlie's cafe, all the troops and they don't sponsor me but I lost my father to cancer so I support the Cancer awareness society by wearing a pink bow on my trunks. And I am looking for more sponsors.