On Oct 30th at the Snoqualmie Casino, Josh "Killa" Calvo (3-1) will face the biggest test of his young MMA career when he takes on undefeated Strikeforce fighter, Lyle "Fancy Pants" Beerbohm (14-0), in the main event of Rumble on the Ridge XIV. The 21 year old Calvo spoke with NW Fightscene about the upcoming fight and more...

NWFS: This fight is a huge opportunity for you. How'd it come about? 
Calvo: It was offered to me by [Rumble on the Ridge Promoter] Joe DeRobbio.

I guess Lyle Beerbohm was looking for a tune up fight so they offered me the fight and I couldn't pass that up.

NWFS: How's training been going?

Calvo: Training's been going great. I've been working my butt off. I know I have a real tough test in front of me. I definitely, definitely did not take this fight lightly at all. I don't take anyone lightly, so I'm looking forward to it.

NWFS: So lets talk about your fighting career. How'd you get into MMA?

Calvo: I'm a Brown Belt in Jiu-Jitsu and started out in Jiu-jitsu. I got into it just to start fighting and along the way I really enjoyed Jiu-jitsu and compete in it as well. I like everything about fighting. I like boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu. I like testing myself mentally & physically, and competing.

NWFS: When did you make your MMA debut?

Calvo: I think it was May 2008. I've been training about 3 1/2 years.

NWFS: Who have you been training with?

Calvo: I do most of my fight training out at Combat Sport & Fitness in Enumclaw with Jeff Hougland, and I do most of my jiu-jitsu out at Foster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [with James Foster]. Jeff, he molds me into a fighter, puts it all together. He works me a lot on my standup, my wrestling, everything. There's a bunch of wrestlers out there, other kickboxers, other fighters out at Jeff's gym. And to sharpen up my ground game always out at Foster's.

NWFS: Who have been some of your training partners for the fight?

Calvo: I have Jeff Hougland, Ian Williams, Justin Harrington, Shane Friesz, Jameson Baker, and a few college wrestlers. I've done a lot of stuff for this fight.

NWFS: How often are you training during the week?

Calvo: I'm training six days of the week, and doing two-a-days a few days a week.

I also work a full-time job.

NWFS: What do you do?

Calvo: I work graveyard at IKEA as a forklift driver in receiving. Its kind of hard working graveyard and training at the same time.

NWFS: I came across a couple quotes in researching for this interview saying that Josh Calvo is a "natural talent" and "most promising of his generation". What do you think when you hear things like this?

Calvo: Man, I've never really looked at myself like that so its kind of cool hearing it. It motivates me, pushes me harder and makes me want to do better for myself... 

it makes me stay positive and push through.

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NWFS: You're originally from Guam. When did you move over here to Washington?

Calvo: I moved over here in 2001 with my mom and my brothers & sisters. My mom just wanted a better opportunity out here and I've been here ever since.

NWFS: Did you have family out here already or did you not know anybody?

Calvo: We had some family here but most of my family is back in Guam.

NWFS: Do you get a chance to go back very often?

Calvo: Yes, I do. I try to go back every year if I can, or every couple of years. Its kind of a pricy ticket.

NWFS: What do you like to do when you're not fighting?

Calvo: I like to go to the beach but its kind of hard to do that here. (laughs) I like to barbecue. Snowboarding. Anything active outdoors. Just hanging out, being with family. 

NWFS: Do you have any sponsors lined up?

Calvo: Yeah, Rupture Clothing, Gaspari Nutrition, Fokai Industries,

Engage Nutrition, and Liberty Events & Promotions LLC.

NWFS: Anyone you'd like to thank?

Calvo: I'd like to thank all my friends and family. And thank God for putting me here. And thank all my training partners and coaches for bringing me to this point and preparing me for this fight. And I look forward to it and I'm excited. I got a tough test in front of me and I can't wait to showcase all my hard work.

NW Fightscene would like to thank Josh for his time in giving us this interview.

He fights Sat, October 30th in the main event against Lyle Beerbohm at Rumble on the Ridge XIV "Defiance" at the Snoqualmie Casino. More info at snocasino.com.

Josh trains at Combat Sport & Fitness (combatsportfitness.com) at 930 Battersby Ave, Suite 106 in Enumclaw, and at Foster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (fbjjonline.com) which is located at 8256 S. 192nd St in Kent. Fans can also find Josh Calvo on Facebook.