Danny Castillo Says Team Alpha Male Is Like a UFC Fraternity

"Fraternity brothers" isn't a term we see thrown around very often.

At least not in the world of mixed martial arts.

That is, however, unless you're a member of the prestigious Team Alpha Male.

Enter UFC lightweight Danny Castillo.

"Urijah Faber and I were childhood friends, and we grew up together," Castillo told Bleacher Report.

"We were great friends all throughout school, and then we kind of went our separate ways for a while. I went down to see his house and whatnot, and saw his lifestyle. I wanted that," said Castillo. "He told me it took a special type of person to fight."

It didn't take long as Castillo began to ponder a career in MMA.

After a few difficult decisions, Castillo's bags were packed, and he was on his way to a new life.

From an office worker to a professional cage fighter, his future was filled with uncertainty and doubt.

Nonetheless, Castillo pushed on as he joined his childhood friend Faber, along with the remaining Team Alpha Male members.

Castillo's decision turned out to be the right one as he's won three of his four bouts inside the Octagon since joining the UFC in December of 2010.

However, it's the friendships formed that have allowed Castillo to witness a great deal of his success.

"There's nothing like having the opportunity to wake up and train alongside your best friends day in and day out. That's what really makes my job the greatest job out there," said Castillo.

"We're like a group of fraternity brothers; that's how close we all are. When Joe [Benavidez] won his last fight, it was a group celebration," said Castillo. "We all won."

If you haven't noticed yet, Team Alpha Male have elevated themselves to arguably the top team in the business led by Faber, Castillo, Benavidez and Chad Mendes.

Without Team Alpha Male, it's likely Castillo would still be sitting behind a desk and on the receiving end of a pile of complaints.

But instead, Castillo gets to live out his dream.

All because of his friends.

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.