After losing six straight fights, former UFC lightweight Luke “Lil’ Hulk” Caudillo could have easily packed his bags and called it a day, but he didn’t.

Determined to get himself back on track, he joined the newly established Grudge gym alongside such Colorado standouts as Nate Marquardt, Duane “Bang” Ludwig, Eliot Marshall, and Shane Carwin, and hasn’t looked back.

After winning his first fight of the year in February, Caudillo returns to the promotion that established him, Ring of Fire, this Friday in Omaha, Nebraska, eager to build a winning streak.

“It was very important, not only for the record, but also mentally-wise,” Caudillo told MMAWeekly of his recent win. “This year I’m looking to get back on the map and get back into the game.”

While a losing streak is never welcome, Caudillo sees something positive in it.

“Some of those losses, if you look at them, were decisions against game opponents,” he commented. “They were in the UFC, in Strikeforce, and were just tough breaks for me with the caliber of guys I fought.

“It was good for me to know I could hang with any of those top guys, so I kept training and getting better and let things fall into place.”

When you train with the type of talent that resides at the Grudge Training Center, you can’t slack, and Caudillo realized that and adjusted accordingly.

“I got a new nutrition guy, a strength training coach, and now I’m training every day twice a day,” he stated. “Instead of me training kind of half-assing it, now I’m going fully every day in the gym.”

Caudillo also began working with noted sports psychologist Brian Cain, and now he feels as strong mentally as he does physically.

“I don’t even care what people think,” he exclaimed. “They think I’m washed up, but I don’t really care because I feel like I brand new fighter. I’m learning every day and I feel like I’m just getting in my prime.

“I just can’t wait to get in there and compete because I’m having fun again. I’m in shape now and I’m not worried about gassing out; I can go five rounds if I have to. I mentally know I can go into deep water and be strong.”

At Ring of Fire on Friday, Caudillo will square off against Sean Wilson, a veteran fighter he has crossed paths with in the sport before.

“I used to fight his training partner, Alonzo Martinez, in my earlier career and he was always the one over with him,” he recollected. “It’s a fight I’ve wanted and he’s wanted and it’s just finally time we get to fight, so I’m excited.”

Should Caudillo pick up his second win a row, he intends to keep working on his resurgence slowly, taking things at his own pace.

“I know there’s a couple big promotions interested in me, but honestly I just got a new manager that’s working with me a little bit and we’re just kind of taking it fight by fight,” he stated.

“The thing is, I’m happy now and I can take small fights and just build myself back up.”

Finally back on the winning track after a couple of rough years, Caudillo is determined to not fade into obscurity, but rather make his case for Comeback Fighter of the Year.

“I would like to thank Tapout, Full Tilt Poker, Brother’s BBQ, LA Boxing, my family and also my girlfriend,” he said in closing. “The ‘Lil’ Hulk’ is back on track; I’m ready to let it all out in 2010.”

(thanks to mmaweekly)