The Determined - Top JW Prospect Dan Argueta (Interview)

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Born of Guatemalan and Honduran descent, Dan Argueta was raised in Orland Park, IL, a southwest suburb of Chicago where he always dreamed of being a fighter. His determination started at the age of 8 when he joined wrestling. By the time he was 10, he knew who both Greg Jackson and George St-Pierre were. At Carl Sandburg high school Dan became an all-state wrestler and then went to the University of Wisconsin Parkside which is nationally ranked.

“I feel fortunate to have been involved in these good wrestling programs my whole life”.

After college Dan started coaching for Izzy Martinez, met Cub Swanson and got his first taste of MMA. With Izzy’s ties to Jackson Wink MMA Academy, Dan was invited to the Albuquerque gym to train with Holly Holm as part of her camp. Cub Swanson came to New Mexico as well and asked Dan to also stay for his camp. They became such good friends that he ended up living with Cub for the next 6 months.

Fast forward 3 years and that same determined individual has now accumulated a 4-1 record as an amateur and is 3-0 as a pro. He made his pro debut at LFA 65 where his opponent was TKO’d at 3:48 of the 1st round. Combate America’s (a Hispanic MMA organization based out of New York) called Dan for a short notice fight. He ended up finishing the fight in the first round by rear naked choke. Two days later he got a call from his manager saying he had another fight in Combate America’s but this time it would be in his hometown of Chicago. After 4 weeks of training, Dan again finished his opponent in the first round by rear naked choke.

I asked Dan if that was his signature move, he said “I get to learn pretty quick”. I guess when you’re working with Diego Brandao, Aaron Pico, Patrick Mix and Edwin Cooper, you can’t help but learn quickly! Dan continued to say,

These are some of the best grapplers in the country, some of them are known and some of us haven’t even touched the surface yet. You’re going to be surprised at who you see come out of this gym.

You can see Dan “The Determined” Argueta fight on Friday, Dec. 13 against Roger Severson on the Combate America’s Stockton card. It will be broadcast live on television in the U.S. on Univision and TUDN (12 am ET/9 pm PT).

See more of Dans interview on the Jackson Wink YouTube channel.