Tim Cardoso - Photo by William McKee
“Tenacious” Tim Cardoso says Driven Gym teammates are like ‘family’ ahead of Cage Titans 47 bout
“Tenacious” Tim Cardoso (1-1) returns the cage for a third time when he meets Welly Sanchez (1-2) at Cage Titans 47 on January 25. Despite being relatively new to mixed martial arts competition, Cardoso is gaining a wealth of experience and knowledge from some of the best the sport has to offer.
The 23-year old fighter from New Jersey is splitting his training time between Driven Gym in Woodbridge, and Nick Catone MMA & Fitness in Brick. On any given day, both gyms are filled with high profile fighters competing in the UFC, Bellator, or one of the many promotions found on UFC Fight Pass.
One such fighter that Cardoso is currently working with is UFC strawweight Claudia Gadelha. The Brazilian, “Claudinha,” is preparing for her January 18, UFC 246 bout against Alexa Grasso.
“I have may not have a lot to offer as far as experience goes,” Cardoso said, “but I pick up on things and help with those minor improvements as a good training partner should.”
Cardoso recalled a recent situation where he was working with Gadelha and coach Mark Henry wanted her to return more shots off the left hook. Cardoso realized this meant that he would have to throw more left hooks, which he did, optimizing her output to Henry’s liking.
“It’s little things like that, that the teammates and coaches pick up on,” Cardoso said.
His main stable for training is at Driven under coach James Meals. There, he works with fighters such as Nikolas Motta and Mike DeLouisa, among many other up and coming prospects on the regional circuit.
“I love those guys. I love everything about Driven. That gym is my family. We are a team, unified. We are one,” Cardoso said.
Cardoso kicked off his amateur mixed martial arts career with a loss to Talha Khan at Maverick MMA 14 in September. The fight came to a close after a doctor stoppage in the second frame.
He would quickly bounce back with a win over Chris LaManna for Primal Fight Promotions just three months later.
Now with his third promotion in just as many outings, Cardoso feels the variety adds to the experience.
“It’s good exposure for me,” he said. “Massachusetts has pro rules for amateurs, so I’ll get that experience. I plan to go pro this year in 2020, so it’s definitely going to help.”
When asked for a prediction for the upcoming bout against Sanchez, Cardoso said he was not one to make predictions.
“I won’t make a prediction, but if I had to tell you what I want to do, I’m wanting to go in there and knock him out. That’s what I want to do every fight. I want to stand and bang and knock you out.”
Cage Titans 47 takes place at Plymouth Memorial Hall in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and is headlined by a bantamweight bout between Kin Moy and Tateki Matsuda.
