(l-r) Jose “Froggy” Estrada with his brother Frank “Turtle” Estrada before the fight. Turtle defended his title at the fight and will keep the belt. Froggy made his first debut and won last Friday night.

Last Friday night, June 24th, was a big night for two young local Fillmore men. Frank "Turtle" Estrada and his younger brother Jose "Froggy" Estrada fought their M.M.A. fights at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills. Turtle was there to defend his "Combat Fight League" 145 lbs. Championship. Froggy to make his M.M.A debut.

When I first met up with the fighters they were in their hotel room relaxing after their weigh-in. Turtle's weight was 144.8 lbs.; Froggy weighed in at 168 lbs.

After some lunch Turtle was feeling good and ready to go. By now he was already up to 153 lbs. in three hours time. Froggy was also ready for his big night and up to 173 lbs. The two fighters out of the "West Coast Fight Club & Cazadores Fight Team" feeling was that all the hard work was done in training and this was their night to shine. The training of eight hours a day, six days a week was about to pay off for them.

The fighters’ day always started around 10 a.m. in Oxnard at the West Coast Gym. Coaches Brian Espinoza, Jamie "The Ghost" Toney, Alfredo Lemus, John "Grandpa" Hernandez, and Ed "9 M.M." Ratcliff would put the two young men through workouts everyday until around 8:30 p.m.

"It's a full time job to get ready for a fight," Froggy said.

"We take this like a lifestyle. Nothing but training before a fight," said Turtle.

Without the help of sponsors the two fighters would not be able to perform the amateur fights they need to before they go into the pro ranks of M.M.A.

Some of the folks that helped out are Killer Bees Fight Shop, The Lab, La Fondita, E.Q. Fresh Cuts, and Fillmore Boxing Club.

"Without them we could not do it," stated both fighters.

When asked how they feel, Froggy said, "I feel excited and ready for this. I can't wait to get going. I am not nervous. I know that it will be like a sparing session...Just more people will be watching."

About to fight for the fifth time, Turtle said, "Yeah, I am a little nervous, but that means I am ready and focused. I want the belt to stay in Fillmore and with West Coast."

When I went downstairs to the room where the nine fights of three rounds and two minutes each would take place, I saw more Fillmore people than anyone else there. It was like a home game on the road. One thing that came to my mind sitting in my seat next to my son Joey was what was Osama Bin Laden thinking when he attacked us on 9-11! The crowd of people that went to this event could take Al-Qaeda down themselves. I have never seen so many tattoos in my life...and the men even had some too.

Froggy was the third fight of the night against Daniel Reynolds. When Froggy came into the arena the Pro- Fillmore crowd went crazy with "Froggy Fever". Corey Cole said to me, "Look at the fighter he’s fighting. He knows he can't win...he’s beat already!'' I had to agree with him. And it did not take long at all to prove that the young Mr. Cole was right.

After a few seconds of feeling the other fighter out with a few jabs, Froggy went for and got a take down. After a few punches the ref had them stand up and fight. Not a good thing for Mr. Reynolds because that gave Froggy a chance to bodyslam him to the mat. After that it was a bad day for Reynolds because Froggy saw his opening and took it. With a very strong "ground & pound" shots to the head the ref stopped the fight at 1:30 into the first round. The crowd went nuts for young Froggy Estrada, calling out his name, and mobbing him after the fight with high fives and hugs.

When I asked him how he felt when he came into the arena for his first fight he said," It was hard to focus but I knew the task at hand. Like I said before Coach, another sparing session; just a lot more people watching!''
I asked him when he knew he could take this guy out and he said, "At the weigh-in's. He could not even make eye contact with me at the pose down!'' So what is next for young Froggy? "Back in the gym at West Coast; hope to fight again in two months.''

Time to fast forward to the main event of the night… The C.F.L. Championship fight between the challenger Tim "The Tyrant" Riscen and the Champion Frank "Turtle" Estrada.

After getting some restful sleep and a good warm -up session, Turtle knew he was focused and ready. With his West Coast team mates hooked up along with his brother and coaches Turtle came out to a wild pro-Turtle crowd. The fighters were in the cage and it was time to get busy. And that is just what they did. At the sound of the bell they went at it.

A good exchange of punches started the fight. Riscen got a take down on a shocked Turtle. A few good moves and Turtle got out from under the fighter.

"I was mad at myself for letting him do that to me. I knew I would not let him do that to me again!'' said Turtle.

In the corner of the second round his coach told him to be more aggressive and come out quick. And that is what Turtle did. A great leg kick, followed by a shove into the cage, Turtle slammed Riscen to the mat next to his corner. He took his time for the open shot. Turtle then began his assault with a good ground & pound.

"I was landing good punches to the head. I felt and heard them so I just kept hitting him. I wanted to end it right there,'' said Turtle. Then the ref saw enough and stopped the fight.

The belt was still his and the crowd went crazy for the young man.

"The old Fillmore sports mentality came out in me; hit hard and grind him down!'' Turtle exclaimed." The crowd was going crazy and that made it all great for me right there! I DID IT! The belt was coming back with me to Fillmore and West Coast team! And that was a great feeling!''

So what is next for Turtle & Froggy? "Back in the Gym on Tuesday. Start it all over again!" is what they both said to me after the night was done.

Froggy would like to fight about nine more times before thinking of going pro. Turtle thinks he would like to go pro in about five more fights.

The two fighters said they wanted to thank all the Fillmore fans, sponsors, West Coast team mates, and family for everything.

These two young men are one class act.