Daniel Alfonso Castillo (born August 25, 1979) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 2007 until 2015, he competed in 22 bouts with both the UFC and WEC.

Danny Castillo
BornDaniel Alfonso Castillo
(1979-08-25) August 25, 1979 (age 44)
San Francisco, California, United States
Other namesLast Call
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
DivisionLightweight
Reach71 in (180 cm)[2]
Fighting out ofSacramento, California
TeamTeam Alpha Male
Rank  Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Fábio "Pateta" Prado[3]
WrestlingNAIA wrestling[3]
Years active2007–2015
Mixed martial arts record
Total27
Wins17
By knockout6
By submission4
By decision7
Losses10
By knockout3
By submission2
By decision5
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career edit

Early career edit

Castillo began training MMA when he joined the wrestling team at his high school in suburban Sacramento. His vice principal, who was also the wrestling coach, told Castillo that if he joined the team, he would not call his mother after seeing Castillo constantly in trouble. Castillo claims he was scared his first day at practice, "I got the [expletive] kicked out of me that day, but after that, I wasn't nervous at wrestling practice ever."[4] After leaving private school, Castillo graduated from Laguna Creek High School (Elk Grove, CA) and attended Menlo College; becoming an NAIA All American in 2004.[5] His nickname "Last Call" was given to him in college due to his ability perform well in his team's offseason morning runs despite having been up consuming massive amounts of alcohol until last call.[6]

He made his professional debut in November 2007, fighting twice in the month, winning both fights via first round submission. After going 3-0, Castillo signed to fight on the Palace Fighting Championship's seventh card. He fought Andy Salazar winning via submission due to his tough ground and pound.

He won his fifth straight fight after defeating Strikeforce veteran, Isaiah Hill. With the win, Castillo was signed with the WEC.

World Extreme Cagefighting edit

Castillo made his debut against Donald Cerrone at WEC 34, replacing an injured Rich Crunkilton.[7] Cerrone defeated Castillo via first round armbar submission.

Castillo then fought Rafael Dias at WEC 36, winning via TKO in the second round.[8]

Four months later Castillo fought Phil Cardella at WEC 39. Castillo won the fight via split decision.

Castillo then defeated Ricardo Lamas, winning his third straight WEC fight.[9]

Castillo was defeated by Shane Roller via third round submission at WEC 44.[10]

Castillo looked to rebound from his loss to Roller when he fought Anthony Pettis at WEC 47, but lost via KO after getting caught flush with a head kick.[11]

Castillo defeated WEC newcomer Dustin Poirier via unanimous decision on August 18, 2010, at WEC 50.[12]

Castillo next faced Will Kerr on December 16, 2010, at WEC 53.[13] He won the fight via KO in the first round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship edit

In October 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[14] On December 31, 2010, Castillo officially became a contracted UFC fighter, signing a four-fight deal with the promotion.[15]

In his UFC debut, Castillo fought Joe Stevenson on March 3, 2011, at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann.[16] Castillo controlled the entirety of the fight and won via unanimous decision.

Castillo faced Jacob Volkmann on August 14, 2011, at UFC on Versus 5.[17] He lost the fight via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Castillo faced Shamar Bailey on November 19, 2011, at UFC 139.[18] Bailey came in 3 pounds over, which resulted being fined 20 percent of his earnings, and the bout took place at a catchweight of 158 lb.[19] Castillo won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Castillo faced Anthony Njokuani on December 30, 2011, at UFC 141 on five weeks notice, replacing an injured Ramsey Nijem.[20] Throughout the fight Castillo scored several suplex takedowns and looked to smother his opponent on the ground. He won the fight via split decision.

Castillo faced John Cholish on May 5, 2012, at UFC on Fox 3.[21] He defeated Cholish via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Castillo was expected to face Michael Johnson on September 1, 2012, at UFC 151.[22] However, after UFC 151 was cancelled, Castillo/Johnson was rescheduled and took place on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5.[23] After a dominant first round put in by Castillo, where he nearly finished Johnson via strikes and then with a submission attempt, he was knocked out cold with a counter left at 1:06 of the second round.

Castillo faced Paul Sass on February 16, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV: Barão vs. McDonald.[24] Castillo used a superior top game and ground and pound en route to a unanimous decision victory.[25]

Castillo was expected to face Bobby Green on July 27, 2013, at UFC on Fox 8.[26] However, in mid-July, Green pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Tim Means.[27] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Castillo faced Edson Barboza on December 14, 2013, at UFC on Fox 9.[28] After a dominant first round by Castillo, Barboza was able to rally over rounds two and three, and defeated Castillo via majority decision[29] in a bout that earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.[30]

Castillo was briefly linked to a bout with Isaac Vallie-Flagg on April 26, 2014, at UFC 172.[31] However, the UFC removed Vallie-Flagg from the bout in favor of a match up with Takanori Gomi, while Castillo instead fought against Charlie Brenneman.[32][33] Castillo won the fight via knockout in the second round.[34]

Castillo was expected to face Tony Ferguson on August 2, 2014, at UFC 176.[35] However, after UFC 176 was cancelled, Castillo/Ferguson was rescheduled and took place on August 30, 2014, at UFC 177.[36] Castillo lost the back and forth fight via split decision.[37]

Castillo was expected to face Rustam Khabilov on January 3, 2015, at UFC 182.[38] However, Khabilov pulled out of the bout due to alleged visa issues[39] and was replaced by Paul Felder.[40] Castillo lost the bout via knockout due to a spinning backfist in the second round.

A rescheduled bout with Rustam Khabilov was expected to take place on July 25, 2015, at UFC on Fox 16.[41] However, for a second time, Khabilov was removed from the pairing due to alleged visa issues. Castillo faced Jim Miller at the event.[42] He lost the fight by split decision.[43]

Castillo faced Nik Lentz on December 19, 2015, at UFC on Fox 17.[44] He lost the fight by split decision.[45]

On January 29, 2016, Castillo was released from the UFC.[46]

Championships and accomplishments edit

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
27 matches 17 wins 10 losses
By knockout 6 3
By submission 4 2
By decision 7 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 17–10 Nik Lentz Decision (split) UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2 December 19, 2015 3 5:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Loss 17–9 Jim Miller Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Dillashaw vs. Barão 2 July 25, 2015 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 17–8 Paul Felder KO (spinning back fist) UFC 182 January 3, 2015 2 2:09 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 17–7 Tony Ferguson Decision (split) UFC 177 August 30, 2014 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States
Win 17–6 Charlie Brenneman KO (punch) UFC 172 April 26, 2014 2 0:21 Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Loss 16–6 Edson Barboza Decision (majority) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 December 14, 2013 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 16–5 Tim Means Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga July 27, 2013 3 5:00 Seattle, Washington, United States Catchweight (160 lbs) bout; Means missed weight.
Win 15–5 Paul Sass Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Barão vs. McDonald February 16, 2013 3 5:00 London, England
Loss 14–5 Michael Johnson KO (punches) UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot October 5, 2012 2 1:06 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 14–4 John Cholish Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller May 5, 2012 3 5:00 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Win 13–4 Anthony Njokuani Decision (split) UFC 141 December 30, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12–4 Shamar Bailey TKO (punches) UFC 139 November 19, 2011 1 4:52 San Jose, California, United States Catchweight (158 lbs) bout; Bailey missed weight.
Loss 11–4 Jacob Volkmann Decision (unanimous) UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle August 14, 2011 3 5:00 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win 11–3 Joe Stevenson Decision (unanimous) UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann March 3, 2011 3 5:00 Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Win 10–3 Will Kerr KO (punches) WEC 53 December 16, 2010 1 1:25 Glendale, Arizona, United States
Win 9–3 Dustin Poirier Decision (unanimous) WEC 50 August 18, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 8–3 Anthony Pettis KO (head kick and punches) WEC 47 March 6, 2010 1 2:17 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Loss 8–2 Shane Roller Submission (rear-naked choke) WEC 44 November 18, 2009 3 3:32 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–1 Ricardo Lamas TKO (punches) WEC 42 August 9, 2009 2 4:15 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–1 Phil Cardella Decision (split) WEC 39 March 1, 2009 3 5:00 Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
Win 6–1 Rafael Dias TKO (punches) WEC 36 November 5, 2008 2 2:54 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Loss 5–1 Donald Cerrone Submission (armbar) WEC 34 June 1, 2008 1 1:30 Sacramento, California, United States
Win 5–0 Isaiah Hill Submission (rear-naked choke) CCFC: Mayhem May 17, 2008 1 2:46 Santa Rosa, California, United States
Win 4–0 Andy Salazar Submission (punches) Palace Fighting Championship 7 March 20, 2008 1 1:02 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 3–0 Noah Shinable TKO (punches) Cage Combat Fighting Championships February 16, 2008 2 2:42 Sonoma, California, United States
Win 2–0 Gigo Jara Submission (rear-naked choke) GC 73: High Noon December 22, 2007 1 3:45 Sacramento, California, United States
Win 1–0 Billy Terry Submission (rear-naked choke) GC 71: Lock-n-Load November 11, 2007 1 2:10 Porterville, California, United States

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Dillashaw vs. Barao 2". UFC.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  2. ^ "Fight Card - UFC 172 Jones vs. Teixeira". UFC.com. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Danny "Last Call" Castillo - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  4. ^ Nagel, Kyle. "Fight Path: WEC 53's Danny Castillo can thank vice principal for MMA career". MMAjunkie. Archived from the original on 2010-12-18.
  5. ^ "Menlo College Athletics". Archived from the original on 2004-08-11. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  6. ^ Jeff Cain (2014-05-20). "What's in a Nickname? Danny "Last Call" Castillo".
  7. ^ "Donald Cerrone vs Danny Castillo WEC 34 fight booked with Rich Crunkilton injured". www.mmamania.com. 2008-05-28.
  8. ^ "Danny Castillo vs Rafael Dias WEC 36 fight booked with Ed Ratcliffe scratched". www.mmamania.com. 2008-11-03.
  9. ^ "Ricardo Lamas vs. Danny Castillo set for WEC 42". www.mmajunkie.com. 2009-06-12.
  10. ^ "Shane Roller vs. Danny Castillo announced for WEC 44 main card". www.mmajunkie.com. 2009-10-11.
  11. ^ "Danny Castillo and Anthony Pettis meet in lightweight matchup at WEC 47". www.mmajunkie.com. 2010-01-25. Archived from the original on 2010-01-29.
  12. ^ "Danny Castillo vs. newcomer Dustin Poirier a late addition to WEC 50 fight card". mmajunkie.com. 2010-07-26. Archived from the original on 2010-07-30.
  13. ^ "Danny Castillo vs. Will Kerr set for WEC 53". mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010. Archived from the original on October 31, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  14. ^ "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-10-31.
  15. ^ Stupp, Dann. "WEC lightweight Danny Castillo gets multi-fight UFC deal". MMAjunkie. Archived from the original on 2011-01-02.
  16. ^ "Joe Stevenson vs. Danny Castillo a late addition to UFC on Versus 3". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2011-01-30. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
  17. ^ "Lightweights Danny Castillo vs. Jacob Volkmann set for UFC on Versus 5". mmajunkie.com. May 11, 2011. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011.
  18. ^ "Shamar Bailey vs. Danny Castillo is 12th addition to UFC 139 fight card". mmajunkie.com. October 18, 2011. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  19. ^ "UFC 139 official weigh-in results: Henderson (203), 'Shogun' (205) on weight (Updated)". MMAJunkie.com. November 18, 2011. Archived from the original on November 19, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  20. ^ "Ramsey Nijem out, Danny Castillo in against Anthony Njoukani at UFC 141". MMAjunkie.com. December 7, 2011. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  21. ^ "Danny Castillo vs. John Cholish added to UFC on FOX 3 in May". MMAjunkie.com. February 7, 2012. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  22. ^ "Danny Castillo vs Michael Johnson booked for UFC 151 on Sept. 1 in Las Vegas". mmamanania.com. June 21, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  23. ^ "Castillo-Johnson shifts from UFC 151 to UFC on FX 5". mmajunkie.com. August 23, 2012. Archived from the original on August 25, 2012.
  24. ^ "Castillo-Sass added to UFC on FUEL TV 7". MMAjunkie.com. December 6, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  25. ^ "UFC on Fuel 7 results: Danny Castillo stifles Paul Sass". MMAfighting.com. February 16, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  26. ^ "Castillo vs. Green set for UFC on FOX 8". MMAjunkie.com. April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  27. ^ Staff (2013-07-11). "Tim Means replaces Bobby Green, faces Danny Castillo at UFC on FOX 8". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
  28. ^ Staff (2013-09-18). "Danny Castillo meets Edson Barboza at UFC on FOX 9 in Sacramento". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  29. ^ Staff (2013-12-14). "Edson Barboza vs. Danny Castillo". mmadecisions.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
  30. ^ a b "UFC on FOX 9 bonuses: Johnson, Faber, Barboza, Castillo win $50,000". MMA Junkie. 2013-12-15. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  31. ^ Shaun Al-Shatti (February 20, 2014). "Danny Castillo vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg slated for UFC 172 in Baltimore". MMAfighting.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  32. ^ Staff (March 4, 2014). "Takanori Gomi replaces Danny Castillo, meets Isaac Vallie-Flagg at UFC 172". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  33. ^ Staff (2014-03-05). "Danny Castillo rebooked against Charlie Brenneman at UFC 172". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
  34. ^ Matt Erickson (2014-04-26). "Danny Castillo KOs Charlie Brenneman with one punch". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-04-26.
  35. ^ Staff (2014-06-11). "Danny Castillo vs. Tony Ferguson booked for UFC 176 in August". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
  36. ^ Heidi Fang (2014-07-08). "Danny Castillo on being a part of a canceled fight card and Mendes' frustrations". mmafightcorner.com. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-07-08.
  37. ^ Kevin Thang (2014-08-31). "Tony Ferguson Wins a close split decision over Danny Castillo". cagepages.com. Retrieved 2014-08-31.
  38. ^ Ken Pishna (2014-10-30). "Rustam Khabilov vs. Danny Castillo is latest UFC 182 addition". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2014-10-30.
  39. ^ John Morgan (2014-12-04). "Visa issues force Rustam Khabilov out of UFC 182, Danny Castillo in need of new opponent". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
  40. ^ John Morgan (2014-12-08). "Danny Castillo vs. Paul Felder set for UFC 182 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-12-08.
  41. ^ Matt Erickson (2015-04-22). "UFC on FOX 16 in Chicago gets lightweight bout with Danny Castillo vs. Rustam Khabilov". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  42. ^ Staff (2015-06-21). "Jim Miller replaces Rustam Khabilov at UFC on FOX 16 in Chicago". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-21.
  43. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2015-07-25). "UFC on FOX 16 results: Jim Miller edges Danny Castillo in razor-thin matchup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  44. ^ Staff (2015-08-25). "Nik Lentz moving back to lightweight, meets Danny Castillo at UFC on FOX 17". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
  45. ^ John Morgan (2015-12-19). "UFC on FOX 17 results: Nik Lentz outworks Danny Castillo for split-decision win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  46. ^ Staff (2016-01-29). "Veteran fighters Danny Castillo, Mike Pierce released by UFC". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.

External links edit