🥋 Sundays with Cain – Episode 30 - A ROLL & RUMBLE Fight Co. Exclusive

Interview by “D-Man,” CTF Inmate Correspondent

HALL OF FAME: (2 Down, 1 To Go)

“If we divine a discrepancy between a man’s words and his character, the whole impression of him becomes broken and painful.”
— Charles H. Cooley

As basic as it may seem, few people take the time to truly reflect on who they are and how they arrived there. The mind is usually focused on what’s happening now or what’s coming next. For many, looking back only invites thoughts of what should have been—if things had worked out the way they were planned.

Over the past six months, we’ve been doing the opposite. We’ve been looking back on the life of Cain. And I can tell you this: he has never once dwelled on what could have been if he’d made a different choice. Instead, he embraces his mistakes just as fully as his successes. That’s what allows him to find lessons in every turn life takes.

This week, he humbly agrees to take yet another deep dive into his past. With gratitude and appreciation, I pick up on New Year’s Day and continue where we left off in Cain’s story.

Happy New Year, big guy.

“Thanks—same to you.”

So many people make promises to loved ones at the start of a new year. Do you make New Year’s resolutions?

“More like New Year’s affirmations.
Number one: be there for my family—emotionally and physically. Just be present.
Number two: get out and work. Help others and give back to the collective.”

What’s your favorite New Year’s memory?

“It’s always spent with family. The ball drops, then the hugs that follow. I appreciate looking at the growth each year—the people on Earth, the beauty of life. Where it’s been. Where it’s at. And where it’s going.”

Those are words to live by. I’m sure this year will be a hard one to forget.

(On New Year’s Day, Cain worked out barefoot, in the rain, and went all out.)

A New Life Begins

Let’s get back to your story. Last week, you left a promotional trip in Asia to get home for a new baby. Pick it up right there. Are you at the hospital when Paco—excuse me—Cain is born?

(With a huge grin) “Yeah. I’m in the room with Michelle’s mom when he comes.”

Who’s in the waiting room?

“My brother is with Coral.”

How did it go?

“Good. Coral’s birth took a lot longer. This one was quick. Michelle didn’t get the epidural—she wanted to experience everything this time. Take the pain.”

What memory stands out most?

“Seeing him. He was perfect. I vividly remember Coral holding him for the first time and crying. Then watching my brother hold him. Those were special moments.”

Anything else from that day you want to share?

(Cain gauges my reaction before speaking.)
“We kept the placenta.”

What?

(Got me.)
“We had it dried and turned into pills. I’ll admit—I ate a couple. But they were really for Michelle, to help her recover and nurse.”

I’ve heard of that—just not dads eating it.

“Yeah, we gave it a shot.”

Preparing for the Future

What did you do at home to prepare for Cain Jr.’s arrival?

“We themed the baby shower around exploration. We forged airplane sheet metal into nursery dressers. We framed world maps. Everything was about exploration.”

Sounds like a sign of things to come. Possible world traveler there.

Hall of Fame Honors

Your home life is now a balancing act, and this year you’re inducted into the Hall of Fame at both KOFA High School and Arizona State University. Did you attend both ceremonies?

“I missed the one in Yuma, but I went to ASU.”

Were you the only inductee?

“No—four or five of us were inducted. Jackie Johnson from track was honored. She was a Yuma girl—went to Yuma High. I remember hearing about her when I was in high school. She was a year younger than me.”

You called her a “Criminal.”

(Cain laughs.)
“That’s their mascot.”

So… the Yuma High Criminals (a nod to Yuma’s history of being the home of a territorial prison)?

“Yeah. I went to the wrong school. Just kidding.”

Who else was inducted?

“Derrick Rogers—football. He played defensive end on the team I watched as a kid. The team that beat Nebraska. That’s why I wanted to be a Sun Devil.”

Did you give a speech?

“I did.”

Prepared?

“Nope. Shot it from the hip.”

I had a feeling it was short. Cain is a man of few words—it takes me hours to pull these stories out of him.

What does the honor mean to you?

“It’s huge. When I was competing, I never thought about something like that. I was just trying to do my best—in class, where I felt insecure, and on the mat, where I felt comfortable. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and now I’m grateful that people appreciate what I did.”

Who told you first?

“Either Stith or Ortiz. I don’t know how they knew, but they did. They called me before the school did. Then Don Bocchi, the Senior Associate Athletic Director, reached out officially. He also presented the awards—he runs the whole event every year and does a great job (Don has since retired in 2021).”

So that’s two Hall of Fames down… one to go.

UFC Hall of Fame? We’ll save that for another episode.

This is 2018. You’re still not fighting, but your back is improving?

“Yeah. I’m back at the gym. It’s coming along.”

A Journey to Senegal

You get invited to Senegal through the Olympic Channel. What’s the purpose?

“They wanted me to interview Senegalese wrestlers. They practice a different style.”

How different?

“The art is called Laamb, and it’s very ceremonial. Almost every man in the community does it. Second—it’s first takedown wins, like sumo. Third—you can punch. Very different from freestyle or Greco.”

Did you get to fuck anyone up?

(Cain laughs.)
“No. I was there to tell their stories.”

What stood out?

“The culture was incredibly health-focused. They train on the beach—same sand they fight on in arenas.”

Where exactly?

“Dakar. The entire beach is dedicated to wrestling. Rusted workout equipment everywhere. During the day, it looks abandoned. Then by midday, the boys show up. By four or five, the beach comes alive. Everyone is training—men, boys—every single day. It was incredible.”

Did you attend a competition?

“Yes. The ceremony was unbelievable. Fighters are blessed by shamans, oiled, powdered, led in by their clans with drums and chants.”

Like walkout music?

“Exactly—just tribal. You can tell it means everything to them.”

Anyone UFC-ready?

“Not yet. Their stand-up was rough, and they could use some work on their wrestling as well. But with their passion? You could build champions.”

Any other memories?

“I accidentally brought a THC oil pen. My translator kept asking, ‘What is dis stuff, man?’ Everyone chewed licorice root—walked around with sticks in their mouths. I brought some home. Another thing is that everyone there wears plastic sandals—jelly ones. I bought pairs for my family.”

You traveled with Thomas “No Mas” Diagne from AKA.

“Yeah—he’s Senegalese. We had a blast. And then when I came home, I took a DNA test from ancestry.com, and found out that I’m 2% Senegalese.”

“No shit.”

Did that make it hit harder?

“It did. It reminded me of Mexico City. Different—but familiar.”

Closing

Anything else?

“Nope.”

With that, we wrap this episode.

Next week, we’ll talk about Cain’s final fight in the cage—looking forward while honoring what the past has shown us.

I challenge anyone who hasn’t read all the Sundays with Cain episodes to go back and start from the beginning. The writing has grown. Cain has opened up more. It’s a human story we can all relate to.

We’ve got a new reader too—my brother.
Happy birthday, Josh.

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