GILROY – It is always easy to tell someone who truly enjoys what
they are doing apart from those who are just dealing with the tasks
at hand at less than 100 percent
– just getting by, so to speak.
Seventeen-year-old Andrew Gomez loves Mixed Martial Arts. There
aren’t two ways about it.
GILROY – It is always easy to tell someone who truly enjoys what they are doing apart from those who are just dealing with the tasks at hand at less than 100 percent – just getting by, so to speak.
Seventeen-year-old Andrew Gomez loves Mixed Martial Arts. There aren’t two ways about it.
It can be seen in his eyes, as they get wider and wider the deeper he delves into conversation about his upcoming fight or battles he has encountered in the past. It is audible in his voice as he speaks of the sport he dedicates a majority of his time to perfecting.
It is also visual in the scars on his knees and legs from being kicked at full force by an opponent whose only goal is to pummel him into submission.
“This has been a passion,” Gomez said. “This is like my home. We have students here from 4 to 54 that all look up to me. That is a very big drive for me. I want to become pro so that I can be the type of person someone can look up to. That’s why I am in the gym all the time and work as hard as I do. So when the students come in and see me training, they get inspired.”
Three years ago at the age of 14, Gomez walked through the doors of Pulido’s Pro Fitness, owned by Linda Pulido who is a well-known and respected figure, as well as a World and national champion, in the mixed martial arts community.
“He was a very eager young teenager with a million questions,” Pulido said. “He was very eager to know about the style and if we competed. He had a lot of heart. I definitely saw something different in him. He had the drive that I wish I had at his age.”
Gomez had about a year of Tae Kwon Do experience before beginning his training with Pulido and former pro Mixed Martial Artist Eric Gonzales, who took a leave of absence from the sport to pursue his career in law enforcement.
The two coaches helped teach and refine Gomez’s kickboxing, Muy Tai and Tae Kwon Do skills.
“He has a given talent,” Gonzales said. “He’s a savage. I can definitely see him turn pro.”
Gomez is well-spoken and carries a wide breadth of knowledge for a kid who has yet to graduate high school, knowing that he will face distractions as he chases after his dream of joining the professional ranks.
“Ms. Pulido and I sat down and had a talk about not letting things that surround me distract me,” Gomez said. “My mind is strong. I was raised by a military family. Staying focused is a big deal. Luckily I have Eric and Ms. Pulido to shake me back into it.”
In his four years of competing, Gomez has been nearly flawless with a 17-1 record, including a number of tournament championships. The one loss coming on a “controversial” disqualification, Gomez said.
“So it depends on who you ask about my record,” Gomez said with a grin.
His victories include two national championships and most recently, a first-place showing at the Navarro’s Triple Threat tournament in San Francisco where he was the youngest fighter in the men’s division.
Wrestling in the men’s division isn’t a new challenge for Gomez.
“Because of my size they make me fight against guys that are older than me,” he said.
Gomez must wait until he is 18 to turn pro, but he knows that just by being the right age, the road to his goal doesn’t stop there and that nothing is automatic.
“What I am trying to do now is learn as much as I can,” Gomez said. “Hopefully by the time I turn 18 I can get someone to come in and look at me. It’s a gradual process and I am just trying to work my way up that ladder.”
