Diego Perez for Combate Global 

Carlos “Goku” Arana considered pursuing a career in law enforcement, but his passion for martial arts led him to make his debut in la jaula.

Arana meets Jimmy Sandlin this Sunday, August 1, in a superfight at 155 pounds.

The event will air on Paramount + in English alongside Univision and TUDN USA in Spanish at 11 p.m. ET.

Nicknamed “Goku” since his teenage years for his “never give up attitude,” Arana hails from Guadalajara, Mexico, but has spent a significant amount of his life in the U.S. gaining an education and practicing wrestling since 13 years old. Wrestling served as a gateway to mixed martial arts (MMA) while rising through the collegiate ranks at Santa Ana College; Arana would grapple with professional fighters during their preparation for an upcoming bout.

Once he transferred and graduated from York College, Arana planned to be a cop. After visiting his mother and family in Mexico, an activity he rarely got to enjoy as financial issues caused his family to relocate to Mexico while he was studying in the U.S. After this visit, he” decided he wanted to see what [he] could do with [his] wrestling pedigree at the professional level” and skipped out on going to the police academy after all his paperwork was filled out.

After “fully committing to MMA” and relocating to Mexico back to his family, he did well in several Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, so he got offered a fight on two weeks’ notice. Although he lost his first bout, he discovered that this is the path that will truly “provide for [his] family and set a great example [for his] siblings.”

When not fighting, Arana is a mentor and role model to his siblings and others at the gym, Lobo Gym MMA, passing down his vast knowledge of folk style wrestling. Arana has a brother that is 16 years old and a sister that is 19 years old: both are amateur fighters, following in his footsteps. MMA has boosted their confidence, and they appear to have the same passion he has for the sport. “It’s more nerve-racking cornering than fighting. It’s very high pressure, especially when cornering one of your siblings… yet it’s one of the most beautiful moments seeing them win and master their craft.”