🥋 Sundays with Cain – Episode 18 - A ROLL & RUMBLE Fight Co. Exclusive

Interview by “D-Man,” CTF Inmate Correspondent

Life in prison comes with a lot of the same things you might expect out of normal daily life. We go to church, watch sports, attend school, have jobs, cook, clean, and go shopping. The only thing we don't have is our loved ones. In place of those we love dearly, we stand next to our fellow inmates and share in their achievements or grieve in their losses. I was fortunate enough to share in Cain's baptism this week and stood in place for his loved ones. Bearing witness to his commitment to God and the road he is traveling. I went to the service with Cain, Junior, and Mr. T showed up later for the baptism. T is a very supportive friend of Cain's and shed some tears when Cain hugged him afterwards. I will say that with most baptisms, they are quick and over before you know it. The moment before the priest dunks Cain's head, Cain asks for forgiveness. When he comes back up, Cain cups two handfuls of water over the top of his head. Almost as a reassurance that every spot was covered. I remember my baptism and the feeling that the water washed away the old naive me. So when I sat down with Cain this week for more of his story. That's where we started. 

What was being baptized like for you? "It feels like I was supposed to be there at that time, doing that deed". What was going through your mind at that moment? "I acknowledged where I had sinned in my life. I felt that I was not that person anymore. As I was stepping into the water, I said: 'I'm here to do your will, and will continue to do what you want me to do'. I feel like I will continue to know myself on a deeper level. Further understanding who I am". You said you were baptized as a child. What's one memory of your early church years as a child? "We went to the Church of St. Francis in Yuma. I always remember walking by the statue of St. Francis and looking up at him. I felt a connection with being in a holy place because of that statue. I would be on my best manners at church". Was that an every weekend thing for your family? "No, we would go on special services or holidays usually. I remember going to church on campus at Arizona State some too. I was trying to be more disciplined in my life. That campus is one of the biggest party colleges in the United States". That's funny. So you knew you had to do something different.

Let's get back to your family memories. Last week, you spoke of your Nina Katie and some of your cousins. Can we talk about your favorite memories of your kids today? "Sure". What does being a dad mean to you? (Cain thought long and hard while a tear began to well up in his eyes) "It's the manifestation of the ultimate love. It's a love without judgment. A love that doesn't mind if it doesn't get returned to sender. A love that is given to two human beings who are a part of me. There is nothing they could ever do that would make me stop loving them". You have told us of your daughter's first birthday and your memory of that day. What's another one of your dearest memories of her? "The first time my daughter went to one of my performances. She used to be at the hotel during my fights and never watched in person. So when I did Lucha in Mexico City, she was there for the first time, seeing what I do. I remember when the match was over and I looked over at her. She had tears of emotion coming down her face. Not tears of sadness or fear, but of joy, pride, and all the good things. Afterwards, I just hugged her so tight. She is usually very shy, but was now a part of what I was doing. We had three different matches that weekend, and she attended all three of them. It was great. My son was there, Cain Jr., but he was so young. Those matches are like one of his favorite things to watch on YouTube now,". What's one of your dearest memories of him? "I asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween. Usually, we do something as a family. He says he wanted everyone to be Pokémon. He wanted to be Ash Ketchum. I was Charizard, a big dragon. Michelle was Mewtwo; humans think this one is the most powerful, but it's not. And Coral was Mew; this one is like God in Pokémon form. These were giant-sized onesies with hoods, stuffed, and of good quality costumes. Anyway, we had them long before Halloween. One day, I asked my son if he wanted to go to the store. He was like 'You know what would be cool? If we wore our Pokémon outfits. I was like, That would be cool. So on a random trip to the store, we got all dressed up as Pokémon. People were like 'Hey, it's Ash and Charizard. It was actually pretty cool. Next thing you know, we have to go pick up Coral from soccer practice, and he's like, 'We should wear our Pokémon outfits. 'And I'm like 'yep, we should'. 

(Cain starts laughing really hard again, and I know he just remembered something he hasn't thought about in a long time) What is it? "That just made me think about a time we went to Disneyland. We were all dressed up as Batman characters. Cain Jr. and I were both Batman, Michelle was Bat Girl, and Coral was Joker. I thought I would just blend in and nobody would be able to notice me. It totally backfired. Everyone wanted to have their picture taken with Batman. I might have had more peace as Cain. It was crazy". 

If they read this someday, what would you want them to know about your time here?" I think about them every day. I wonder how their day is every day. I wish for them to understand themselves better every day. That I'm doing good work on myself while I'm here, and that I'm enjoying my time here. I want them to understand you can be happy anywhere you are. To be grateful everywhere you are. You're able to experience something each day. I realize that I could have been taken away from them for their whole life. That would have been so crushing, I can't really even describe it". I know what that feels like, and it is soul-crushing. They will be so glad to have you back when you're released. I'm sure you can't wait to see them. 

Let's talk about something you had mentioned to me this week. You said that Harley-Davidson was a sponsor of the JDS fight. They gave you a bike when you won that fight? "Ya, a 2013 Road Glide". Did you know how to ride? " I had taken a Harley Davidson riding class over in Oakland a year prior. It was a three-day class of riding and one extra day of book work and testing. That was my first experience riding. I was probably the best in the class. Michelle, our friend Robby, and my lifting coach, Joe Grasso, took the class with me. Joe used to be a San Jose police officer. He was also Mr. San Jose back in the day. But riding didn't come easily for him. I started to understand the machine quickly and felt the freedom it gave me. So when I won the Road Glide, Harley Davidson's PR guy, Dino Bernacchi, was the one I worked through to get it. I found a Harley catalog with all the parts. So I called Dino and asked if I could customize the bike before I get it. He had no problem with that, and I ended up customizing the shit out of the bike. I had speakers put into side bags. Chromed out all the mechanics. New handlebars, seat, lights, everything I could get customized by Harley. I won another one the next year and did the same thing. The year after that, they changed the contract with UFC, and the fighters had to take the bike as it was. I ruined it for everyone else". (Cain says this, with a big old grin of satisfaction on his face). Do you still have those bikes? "Yep, got both of them". Do you ride often? " I wish I could ride more. Joe and I ride together. We've gone down here to the Monterey Bay together". When was the last time you saw Joe? "He came and saw me in the county jail, actually". That's cool, he sounds like a good friend.

More than a bike guy, you are a big car guy, too? "I love racing on road courses". (I really have Cain's attention with this question). Where did you get into your first race car? " Exotics Racing in Vegas. It was around 2010 or 2011. You pay to go five laps in a Nissan GTR. I fell in love with it for my first time. I love being on the track. It's like fighting for me. Something deep inside me calls me to do it". How often? "Every time I go to Vegas, I visit Exotics. I have a top ten record time on their wall for celebrities. Caitlin Jenner is just below me, and the only ones above me are celebrity race car drivers". Where else have you raced? " I was a part of a celebrity race at the Long Beach Toyota Grand Prix. They took us to Willow Springs Raceway for a week to practice. We were racing a modified Scion TC. Rutledge Wood won the event that year, and I think I got fifth. Someone had hit me in the back, and I missed a turn. Caitlin Jenner actually won that event years before. She's a good driver". So did you get to know Rutledge the week of your practicing? "He is one of the nicest dudes. Someone who has mastered life. So much love for everyone. He's a big part of NASCAR". So what is it about racing that excites you so much? "The best part is taking a turn and being right on the edge. If I go any faster, I'll lose control and spin out. Hitting the line perfectly, as the vehicle was designed to perform. The other side of that is crashing. That is one of the best feelings I've ever had, being in control of that moment". It sounds like getting behind the wheel will be one of the first things you will look to do once you're free. So we will come back to this topic again.

Let's play our name game. I'll say a name, you say the first thing that pops into your mind. Tom Ortiz: A beautiful transformation. He was a wild soul. Which he still is, but now for the right reasons. Ryan Bader: Beat my hero "Fedor". One of the most solid friends you could ever meet. Urijah Faber: Goofball, one of the funniest and most quick-witted guys you’ll ever meet.

Let's go back to when you won the belt back from JDS. Do you go down to Mexico and do your media blitz? "Ya, it's business as usual. I know Michelle and I went for a couple of days and then came home". You said last week that you felt pain in your legs from your back. Does that go away? "A couple of days and it does go away". So when you get back, how do you find out who will get a shot at your belt?" Dana called me. He asked if I would want to fight Silva again. To me, nobody else made sense. He was winning and had beaten Overeem convincingly, so I said yes". You handed Silva his lunch the last time you fought. You just dismantled JDS. Does that affect your training? "No, the moment you underestimate someone, that's when you get beat. Silva is really skilled and you can't take him lightly. You can't take anyone lightly at this level". What's the atmosphere in the gym like as you bring back the belt for the second time?" There is a lot of buzz. I think Khabib is at the gym now. We are attracting world-class talent. I think DC and Luke came to the fight in person. Everyone else had a watch party at the gym. They all loved the fight". I can imagine they did. It was a world-class performance. Now that you are the champ again, do you find it hard to find time to train? "I do have a lot of media obligations. But when I travel, I always bring a coach with me to train. Javier “Javi” Carvajal started training with us. He was just straight boxing. He's from Cali, Colombia, and he or Javier Mendez would always travel with me so we could always be working. By the way, Javi was an excellent boxing coach and an overall excellent addition to the AKA team”. 

Has your game plan changed at all from the first time you fought Silva? "No, I know not to stay in front of him. Work angles and move quickly in and out. We thought that he would have learned from last time. Not to come out with his usual low leg kick, to start the fight. I remember hearing people say, You're not a true champion unless you can defend your belt. So that was present in my mind”. Let's go to the fight. It's UFC 160, back at the MGM in Vegas. Bert comes and gets you, "It's Time Baby, We're Rolling". Javier is in your ear, “Don't stand in front of him, in and out". Your song "Los Mandados” is playing. Then the cage is locked, and it's time. What do you remember? "He did what we thought. He changed his usual start. No leg kick. I tried a take-down or two, and it was apparent that he had worked on takedown defense as well. But he's slow. He comes in with an uppercut, and I just remember firing off a one-two. My overhand right caught him, and he went down. He turtles up and I take his back. I’m just trying to place some shots on him, then the fight gets stopped". It went by so fast. After your fight with JDS, going 5 rounds, and all the training and build-up to your next fight. For it to be over so quickly, is that a let-down in any way?" No, you take those as wins like any other. My fight with JDS is not something you want to have in every fight. Your body wouldn't like that. Some of my friends who fight have never had one of those epic battles and never will. You don't have to test yourself every time. So if the fight ends quickly, even better". 

After the fight, do you go to a club that night in celebration? "I started to change. More into family time and friends. Making a few bucks to show up at some club didn't interest me anymore. Besides, it was always so awkward; people just stared. Speaking of money. You have made a good amount of that now. What are you doing with it? " We bought some rental properties. I bought my mom and dad a house in Yuma. We went down there and got it without them knowing. Michelle and I went over and fixed it up a little. Bought some stuff for inside. Then wrapped the house in a bow. Then went and picked up my parents and told them we were taking them out. Drove over to the house and gave it to them. It was amazing. Going from moving around all the time and being evicted as a kid, to buying them their own home. Ya, it was good". Cain was there, thinking about that day. Smiling and maybe sad at the same time. I don't know, I didn't ask. I know he misses his mom, and memories like these hit harder than any punch. 

Alright, big guy. The last question is from a fan. Switch4U2 asks Cain; What was one of your favorite training routines over your career? "I always liked 'Technique Sparring'. You're sparring but not hitting hard. You're moving full speed but not putting any weight into your strikes. You still wrestle and find your Jiu-Jitsu opportunities. You use all good ground techniques. Just when you stand up, it's not full power". 

Well, that's a wrap for another episode of Sundays with Cain. I hope you have read them all. Remember to share your story with those you love. We are not promised tomorrow. A great man used to tell me. "Yesterday's money has already been spent. Tomorrow is just a promissory note. Today is the only legal tender we have to spend. So spend it wisely”.

👉 $5 from every Cain shirt sale and $1 from every sticker sale goes to Childhelp in Scottsdale, AZ—a Cain-approved charity that helps abused children.