From Venuzuela to Victory -- a chat with Carlos Correia

By Nicola Faroane

When you look sat Naugatuck resident Carlos Correia, who will be fighting on Nov. 4 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Bellator: McGeary versus Davis, you can see it in his eyes -- the story of his life. The old adage about the eyes being the window to the soul appear true in this case.

His story starts 27 years ago in Caracas, Venezuela. He has always been a fighter -- his first fight took place in the schoolyard when he was a child and targeted by a school bully that knew he couldn't defend himself.

But family is important in his life and his older cousin promptly decided to level the playing field. Correia saw that fighting was not only a way out but could earn him respect -- it was also essential for surviving in his neighborhood. But his family realized that some fights can't be won, only lost and they moved to America in 2003.

His sister was attacked and had a knife held to her throat. His parents decided then that it was time to leave that country.

After he arrived, a friend that was training in MMA exposed him to the sport. He began training as soon as he reached 18 years of age and fought in the cage for the first time three months later -- his debut was a humbling experience.

It is part of a journey during the last 10 years that has provided him with more than he would have thought -- inside and outside of the cage. His true love is dogs and he owns a business called Coaching 4 Paws that works with aggressive dogs.

But the current year has been particularly eventful for him. He currently has a 3-1 amateur record with Cage Titans and Warrior Nation -- he won his professional debut in the former by TKO in the first round on April 19, defeating Alex Dolan, and married his childhood sweetheart Kaycee a month later, with his teammate Dan Dubeque from DCNU serving as his best man.

He will be fighting a top prospect at Mohegan Sun -- Danbury's Ilya Kotau, who trains with UFC veteran Glover Teixiera. But Correia, who holds a purple belt in BJJ, states he is in the best shape of his life and is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in New England. He expressed confidence in wherever the fight will go, adding that "a punch to the face is a punch to the face."

He said he is looking to win in an impressive fashion in November. "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog," as the saying goes.

Correia, the first Venezuelan to fight for Bellator, will be seeking the victory that began in his home country.

Editorial Note: the fighter interviewed requested that thanks go out to his sponsors -- Eric Plaude of Seecfinancial.com, Cluadia Elfreich of Fitcw/Claudia.com, Bill Palifka of Blackshoe.com, Jessica Nate Sisco of Siscosweats.com, Igdalia Medina of Medinaphotography.net and Tim Pepin of Dr.Pepin.com.