CHECKING IN WITH CASH

By James Gilliland
VSP MMA Columnist

The heavyweight division in the Central Valley is still expanding. One of the fighters making an impact is Clovis native Brandon Cash, and he’s made a name for himself rather quickly.

Cash, who also works as a tattoo artist, is also tattooing his opponents. He’s undefeated with five victories, winning three of his fights by technical knockout.

Life for Brandon hasn’t always been so easy. “I learned to be tough on my own at an early age,” said Cash. “Not fighting tough, but emotionally tough.”

Sports would play an important role in Brandon’s life and keep him out of trouble. “I started sports earlier than I was supposed to,” said Cash. “Most kids had summers. I was traveling across the United States wrestling and having fun.”

But Brandon would find trouble, leading to him being expelled from the Clovis Unified School District. “My wrestling coach Chris Hanson told me to quit being a knucklehead. He took me under his wing and got me back into Clovis Unified,” said Cash. “I got my head on the right track for a couple years.”

After high school, Brandon wrestled in college and after watching some of the first Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) he was hooked on mixed martial arts (MMA). “I started getting into boxing and kickboxing,” said Cash. “I just liked the fact I can choke someone unconscious.”

Before pursuing a fight career, he dealt with some personal ups and downs, and became a father. His son’s name is Clayton. “I want him to be proud of me,” said Cash. “I want him to have stuff I never had.”

Knowing he wouldn’t be satisfied with a nine-to-five job, Cash left the Central Valley for Huntington Beach, where he started training in MMA with former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz.

He lost interest in training but continued working in Huntington Beach.

Cash recalls what inspired him to get back to training and become a fighter. It was after watching the UFC reality show ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ “I was watching guys I can beat with the little training I had I knew I could beat them,” Cash said.

With encouragement from friends and family, he started training again after moving back to the valley.

He began training with local MMA favorite Casey Olson. He then started working out with Team Buhawe alongside noted valley fighters Mike Moreno and the Evangelista brothers. “I love what I’m doing,” said Cash. “There are not enough hours in the day for me to train. I wish I can fight every month, but you have to take time off.”

Brandon feels that he’s more confident rather than cocky, but knows he has room to improve. “I’m probably at 20 percent where I can be on my feet,” said Cash. “Wait until I’m 100 percent. You’re going to see some good stuff.”

Cash says he’ll fight anyone.

“Whoever, it doesn’t matter. We can get in the ring too if you want to fight,” said Cash. (I respectfully declined) “I know I can stand in the middle of the ring with anybody.”

Cash has fought for numerous valley promotions, including PureCombat.

His next goal is to fight for the bigger promotions. “Nothing’s wrong with fighting for the PFC or Wargods, but the big shows and big pay-per-views is big money,” said Cash.

For most fighters, having sponsors is a way to make money when they’re not fighting. The fighters will have shirts and fight shorts that include all their sponsors logos and brands. “It’s hard to make it fight to fight without good sponsors.” said Cash. “A lot of my sponsors are more friends, not just sponsors. I could shake their hands and go on picnics together.”

One of his sponsors, Youngs Floor Covering, helped him by having the cast on his hand removed after he broke his wrist in his last fight. He won that fight by knockout in 26 seconds.

After his hand is back to full strength, Cash will get back to training and preparing for another fight. His next fight will be sometime in May.

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