Phil Caracappa Overcomes Adversity, Defeats Gonzalez, At ROC 75

Phil Caracappa, 29, retained his bantamweight title for a record fourth time following his victory over current featherweight champion James Gonzalez via split decision at Ring of Combat 75.

Caracappa, who trains at Freehold-based Dante Rivera BJJ Academy and Bull Dog Strength and Conditioning, spoke with me about how he felt before, during, and after Friday's win.

"He was my toughest opponent. His [Gonzalez] only losses are to UFC fighters," Caracappa said. "I got offered a 3-2 opponent, but I wanted a tougher fight. I wanted someone that would light the fire in me. Besides, I knew beating him would do a lot for me. He's a game opponent, and he's one of the most battle-tested guys in the region."

Caracappa has been a professional fighter for five years, but this 15-month break was different. Working a full-time job admit the pandemic prevented him from cross-training, and the loss of his dog, Bella, a Labrador Pit Bull mix, ten days before the fight, weighed on his mind.

"I had her since she was 4-months old. She was the one constant in my life through all my fights. She was all I had, so I felt like I had nothing to lose after losing her. And it's dangerous to fight someone with nothing to lose. Pets are pets to some people. She was my companion."

A concern raised by his coaches and supporters was his opponent's "ground game." Gonzalez is a jiu-jitsu black belt under the legendary Matt "The Terror" Serra, and fans saw that as a key to victory for Gonzalez. But Caracappa saw it differently.

"I don't get enough credit for my ground game. I was a wrestler first, and wrestling got me into this. So even if I'm fighting a jiu-jitsu guy, I'm ready. I have top-level talent at all levels of the game," Caracappa said.

Gonzalez had both Serra and current UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljermain Sterling in his corner. Caracappa wasn't nervous or intimated by this, though. He relished in it. "I love when opponents have UFC fighters in their corner. There's nothing more exciting than getting to have those guys watching me fight."

Despite the hard-fought win, Caracappa isn't going to rest long. "Coming off a big win like this, I'm going to stay in the gym, not line up a fight, and let my manager, the best manager in the world, line up the stars for me."

Caracappa's manager is Ali Abdelaziz, founder of Dominance MMA. Abdelaziz is also manager to UFC Champions like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Kamaru Usman, and Henry Cejudo.

"My goal has been to be in the UFC by 30. That's in a few months, and I have a good feeling."