Going into 2010 Joe “El Dingo Loco” Carroll was thought to be one of the best lightweights in the southeast region, having fought in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania since 2009 as a professional. After starting his professional career with 2 straight wins in 2009, the “Dingo’ saw that 2010 was not the year for him as he went win-less. He now looks to get back on track this weekend against Jake Pruitt after taking some time off to re-tool his game during the past 6 months.

Joe will be taking on Jake Pruitt this Saturday at Harrah’s Cherokee Fight Night in Cherokee, NC. 

Joe spoke with ProMMAnow.com‘s Kelvin Hunt this past week about his upcoming fight against Pruitt, what the fans can expect to see, and what it would mean to win this fight.

Kelvin Hunt-Hey Joe, it’s been a while since we’ve last spoken. How have you been?
 
Joe Carroll– Well Kelvin I know it has been a while. I was starting to think that maybe you forgot all about the Dingo. Now you wouldn’t do that would you!? I’ve been doing good…been working, training, and school.
 
Kelvin Hunt-Nah, I wouldn’t forget about you man. Let’s go back to last year a little bit. You were ranked as one of the top lightweights in North Carolina going into 2010. You had four fights in four months losing all four of those fights, three of them via decision. All of those guys are some of the better fighters in the southeast region. Is there any reason why you took that many fights so close together and what did you learn from the losses?
 
Joe Carroll– Some times you have to go out on a wing and you sometimes feel like you are a fighter that can’t be touched… Well, I found out the hard way and I took some tough fights against some tough dudes. I found out that I had a lot of holes in my game that needed to be fixed so I guess you can say I got humbled very quick. I also found out we leave nothing to the judges.
 
Kelvin Hunt-Yea, we’ve seen judges jack up some decisions lately. So you’ve been out of action since June of 2010 and you’ve got that year behind you. What’s the goal for 2011 and how many times do you see yourself fighting this year?

Joe Carroll– I’m glad I got over that tough year and as long as I stay healthy, continue to get better while fixing all the holes, we’re gonna take in as many good fights as we can. So no set number.

Kelvin Hunt-Now, you have a big fight coming up this weekend against Jake Pruitt. How important is it for you to get this win?
 
Joe Carroll– It’s probably the most important fight of my life as is every fight from here on out in order to prove to myself that I still have what it takes to be a champion. I still have the goals and dreams to be in the UFC so now all the fights that are behind me are in the past. But the fights in the future are going to set me apart from everyone else. I’m also dedicating this fight to my grandfather and Luis Togno who both passed away within a week of one another. I’ve used their passing as fuel to train harder, and I will win this fight for both of them.
 
Kelvin Hunt-What do you know about Jake as a fighter and what can we expect from the Dingo on April 29th? 
 
Joe Carroll– I dont know much about Jake. I know he has had one good fight when he beat Shane Roller who now fights in the UFC. You can expect to see a new fighter, a more dedicated a fighter that is re-focused. I have changed alot more since my last time in the cage so expect to see fireworks…
 
Kelvin Hunt-Have you been training with the same team you usually train with or have you branched out in the past few months.  If so, who have you been training with for this fight?
 
Joe Carroll– I still train with my brother(Roger Carroll) at SMA in Hickory,NC. I also travel to Virginia and train with John Simons III at Odyssey Mixed Martial Arts Academy and that has really changed my game alot. Then there is the team that changed my life around and everybody knows who we are when we step in the venue and that’s RENEGADE boxing and mma gym in Gastonia, NC. Being able to work with Phil Willis has changed my whole game. You are going to see a difference getting to work with guys like Ricky Rainey, Zach Klouse, Shane Crenshaw, Chris Davis, Adam Dehart, Ronnie Huitt, and Derrick Hyatt. I even have my brother “The Leprechaun” Roger Carroll II come in and work with us there. All I can say is as a whole we are taking over the whole east coast.
 
Kelvin Hunt-The last year and a half has seen a huge shift in lightweight rankings of the Carolinas. What would it mean for you to get back in the mix as one of the top dogs between the two states?
 
Joe Carroll– Well I have realized I don’t need to be the best. Yea, it was good but maybe it got to my head a little bit. So if people think I’m a good fighter regardless they will show up at my fights. I know that I work hard, I’m not saying I’m the best but I know that if I push myself in training then the fight will be easy. “LUCK IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PREPARATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY” so I will not be a stepping stone anymore.
 
Kelvin Hunt-Some people may have written off “El Dingo Loco”. What do you say to those that have?
 
Joe Carroll– I would say thank you. Because you have been the reason I have been able to work on changes in my game and you have made me a better fighter and a better person. Also, for those that haven’t written me off I also say thanks for supporting me through all the tough times and in the long run we will make it to the top. I won’t forget you.
 
Kelvin Hunt-Would you ever consider dropping down to 145, if so under what conditions?
 
Joe Carroll-If I do you will be the first to know, but as for right now I have a solid 155 lb body frame.
 
Kelvin Hunt-I know you have been in culinary school while also fighting professionally, and working as a trainer out at Chris Frye’s gym in Charlotte. Talk a little about balancing out school, fighting, work, and family life.
 
Joe Carroll-Well family life is going great going on two years with my girlfriend Amber Belvill. I love her to death and we are wanting to start our own family soon. So I am enjoying life, as for working and training out at Chris Frye’s gym. It kinda didn’t work out, I was looking for a little more out of the deal there so that’s when I found RENEGADE…. School is always good what’s not good is to be around food all day! I can eat any time of the day and working at whiskey river or as i call it the River…there’s always something new…
 
Kelvin Hunt-How much longer before you obtain your degree and what are your plans after graduation? Do you see yourself in a Mike Dolce role of helping guys eat properly once your fighting career is over or what?
 
Joe Carroll-Well I won’t be able to fight forever. I will fight till my body tells me no more and then I will teach and cook for fighters… maybe have a cafe or small little restaurant. It will be about two more years before I’m done with school.

Kelvin Hunt-Joe, that’s about all I have. Best of luck this weekend and do you have any sponsors you’d like to thank?
 
Joe Carroll– Yea first of all gotta thank Pro MMA Now, Renegade, Odyssey MMA, SMA, No Quarter, Birdmans Snack Sticks, Sams Mart, and HyLytes. They have helped me find new and improved ways to stay hydrated. Chiropractor of Matthews, Klench Kustom Mouthguards protecting my smile with Klench Kustom style. Tri county graphics, Max Muscle of Charlotte. Also, a big shout out to the pit boss{Kenny Letts}, Phil Willis for believing in me and pushing me, Tha Bread {Michael Allen}, John Simons III for allowing me to come back to the Odyssey Family, The Cooler{Tom Bakley} and all the crew at Phat Burrito and Fight Lab/RENEGADE.

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