Nichole Castillo & MMA: A match made in heaven for the matchmaker
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As the only two female writers for The Scrap, Katie Vega and Caroline Romero are introducing a column to highlight women in MMA.
Nichole Castillo began matchmaking back in 2005 when all the underground fights got shut down and the sanctioning of fights began. Her jobs for the first event involved setting up the ring girls, getting the ring (yes, a ring because no cages were anywhere), making posters and tickets to print and designing the setup.
“Basically, I was the event planner for the event,” Castillo shared, “I did this and matched one fight for the first event of which only had four fights because of the last-minute sanctioning.”
The company she first worked with was IFBL. “They were going to cancel one of their next events so I literally stayed up for almost 30 days watching videos and going to local gyms to learn all I could about MMA, and I matched it”.
The commission was happy with her work and Castillo’s life as a matchmaker began. Some of her other matchmaker credentials include Bellator MMA, KOTC, IT Fight Series, NAAFS Cage Fighting, Gladiators of the Cage, USFFC, Bizzaro Promotions, and Ohio Combat League. She admits it hasn’t been an easy job though.
“In the beginning, most men didn’t want to fight for a chick,” she said, “It’s why I am so grateful for the ones who did. I was called ‘the MMA Bitch from Ohio’ by many, but I didn’t care how hard it was, I was going to prove everyone wrong and do this.”
Castillo now matches for five regional promotions and has remained in the matchmaking business for 15 years.
Castillo said that it was very difficult for women in the industry when she was making her way up through the matchmaking ranks. “You didn’t even see females fighting. I had the first female sanctioned fight in the state on my show. People booed them as they walked out but once it started, the entire place was on their feet. It was one of the best fights on the event and on the business end, there were nil to none doing it. I only know of about five women across the country who were putting in fights back then. Nowadays it’s easier than ever. Women are accepted in MMA in all parts of the game.”
The matchmaker explained she has done many jobs in MMA. She’s worked as a ring girl, a model for MMA gear, a judge for fights, announcer, and a commentator. Castillo said she ultimately sacrificed all her jobs in the industry, other than matchmaking, so she could spend more time at home with her children. “I know I’m good at matching fights so it’s the one that remained as my full-time gig. I love it. The feeling of seeing what’s in my head come to life every show is hard to explain, but it’s why I do this job.”
Castillo mentioned she works from home mostly except for fight weekends which sometimes end up back-to-back weekends. She said one of the downfalls of the job is; “Sometimes I don’t get to play or do things with my kids as much as I would like because with as many promotions as I match for the hours are grueling. But then I think at least I get to be around them and watch them grow up. I get to do the homework, kiss the boo-boos and teach them all about life instead of some daycare or relative or sitter. I have a wonderful mother who taught me this and who also watches my youngest child while I am gone on weekends. She spoils the hell out of my little guy, and he loves going to be with her. Though I miss him when I’m gone on the weekends it also gives him an unbreakable bond with my mom which I’m happy they have and blessed she does it.”
For those who are interested in the matchmaking profession Castillo advised that for the hours you put in, the profession isn’t very lucrative. “You make less than minimum wage. Male or female it’s not the job to pick if you’re looking for quick money or to support your family off one fight league unless you’re way high up in the Bellator or UFC type level of which I would love to be at by this point of my career.”
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