Champion? Or just dad?

Fighter profile of Carlos Jos Ricci by David Swain

 Carlos Jos Ricci, a rising star in the Ultimate Pit Fighting Org. (UPF), has started to really make a name for himself around town. He is currently undefeted and next Saturday, November 10th, will be facing Rickson "The Grappler" Gracie for the UPF Light-Heavyweight championship belt.

Jos Ricci has had to overcome many obstacles on his path to success. Born in Brazil, he became an orphan at age 3, when his parents were murder in front of him by a street gang in Rio De Janeiro. After the death of his parents he was taken in by his aunt Maria in Hilo, HI. Raised on the wrong side of town Carlos quickly learned the ways of the street and how to defend himself. As a youth he had a hard time staying in school because he kept being expelled for fighting.

As a teenager Carlos developed a hatred for street gangs due to his past. At age 18 Carlos accidentally killed a gang member during a fight. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 6 years in the Hawaii State Penitentiary. While incarcerated he joined a wrestling club within the penitentiary and really honed his skills. In 2010 he was released early after recieving a year off for good behavior. After release he was approached by Jonas Robertson. Robertson is a wrestling/bjj trainer at X Sports gym in Hilo, who also has been doing charity work as a trainer at the Hawaii State Penitentiary.

Robertson and Jos Ricci worked together for several months. Carlos became an amateur fighter just before his 24th birthday. As an amateur he went 9-0-0 and captured the Western United States Amateur Light-Heavyweight championship belt.

Robertson had compiled a video of Jos Ricci's  most impressive victories and posted it to YouTube. David Swain, a mixed martial artist manager working out of Las Vegas, stumbled acrossed the video. Swain immediately contacted Jos Ricci and talked him into turning pro.

Jos Ricci's first fight as a professional fighter was an outstanding submission victory in the QFC over a fighter named Grappling Wrestler. Realizing his potential for greatness, Swain then signed Jos Ricci up with the UPF, one of Hilo's fastest growing fighting organizations. Where Jos Ricci has quickly moved up through the ranks and will will be fighting for the Light-Heavyweight championship belt next week.

Although the Tycoon Times has been unable to secure an interview with Carlos, we did manage to reach him by phone. When asked about the impact on his life that winning the belt would make, Carlos replied "While winning the belt would be nice, November 10th has a whole other meaning to me. You see, my wife Roxanne is pregnant with our first child and is due on November 10th." So it seem win lose or draw, November 10th will be the biggest day in Carlos Jos Ricci's life.

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