Gil Castillo

Gil Philip Castillo (born October 21, 1965) is an American professional mixed martial artist. A professional from 1998 until 2006, he fought in the UFC, WEC and King of the Cage. Castillo is the former King of the Cage Middleweight Superfight Champion.

Background Gil Castillo was born in Ohio, California. Castillo excelled in wrestling at Antioch High School and after competing for California State University at Long Beach, he entered the trials for the Olympic team. He went 2–2, and needed to win his fourth match to get on the squad that trains for the alternate team, but lost on points. After becoming a licensed stockbroker, Castillo found Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 1995, and was trained by Cesar Gracie and Ralph Gracie before they introduced him to mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Castillo made his professional debut in early 1997 in a tournament. He won his debut via rear-naked choke submission only 40 seconds into the first round. He won his next fight after his opponent broke his wrist during the fight, and in the tournament final, Castillo faced veteran Vernon White and won via armbar submission in just three minutes. Castillo fought for the King of the Cage Middleweight Superfight Championship on April 29, 2001, against then-champion Joe Hurley. In a back-and-forth fight, Castillo scored seven takedowns on the Lion's Den fighter, and won via unanimous decision. Castillo then fought future Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nate Marquardt for the IFC Welterweight Championship and won via unanimous decision before being invited to compete in the UFC.

UFC At UFC 33 on September 28, 2001, Castillo made his UFC debut, fighting a much-larger Dave Menne for the first-ever UFC Middleweight Championship. Castillo lost via unanimous decision and was handed his first professional loss.

After picking up a unanimous decision win over Chris Brennan at UFC 35, Castillo fought for the UFC Welterweight Championship against then-champion Matt Hughes at UFC 40 on November 22, 2002. Castillo lost via doctor stoppage due to a cut received in the first round.

WEC Castillo then began fighting for the WEC, making his debut for the organization on March 27, 2003, at WEC 6 against Chris Williams. Castillo won via TKO.

Castillo fought on May 21, 2004, at WEC 10 against future IFL Lightweight Champion Ryan Schultz and lost via TKO. His last appearance for the organization was on October 14, 2005, at WEC 17 against Steve Ramirez. Castillo won via TKO. Castillo's fought last on April 1, 2006, in an IFC event against current UFC Welterweight Jake Ellenberger. Castillo lost via TKO in the first round.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Jake Ellenberger TKO (punches) IFC Cage Combat

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Steve Ramerez TKO (punches) WEC 17

Lemoore, California, United States Loss

Ryan Schultz Decision (majority) WEC 10

Lemoore, California, United States Loss

Renato Verissimo TKO (corner stoppage) Rumble on the Rock 4

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Chris Williams TKO (corner stoppage) WEC 6: Return of a Legend

Lemoore, California, United States Loss

Matt Hughes TKO (cut) UFC 40

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Chris Brennan Decision (unanimous) UFC 35

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Dave Menne Decision (unanimous) UFC 33

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Nate Marquardt Decision (unanimous) IFC 14 Warriors Challenge 14

California, United States Win

Joe Hurley Decision (unanimous) KOTC 8: Bombs Away

Williams, California, United States Win

Raymond Mansfield Submission (omoplata) IFC Warriors Challenge 10

Friant, California, United States Win

Robert Ferguson Decision (unanimous) IFC Warriors Challenge 8

Friant, California, United States Win

Dennis Muehy Submission (armbar) IFC Warriors Challenge 6

Friant, California, United States Win

Aaron Sampson Submission (armbar) Stockton Brawl

Stockton, California, United States Win

Vernon White Submission (armbar) Stockton Challenge 2

Stockton, California, United States Win

Allen Fernandez Submission (rear naked choke) Stockton Challenge 2

Stockton, California, United States