If Justin Roman is any example of what can be accomplished by
attending his uncle’s new fight gym, where Roman will be a trainer
and coach, the consequences could be painful for those who stand in
his pupils’ path.
If Justin Roman is any example of what can be accomplished by attending his uncle’s new fight gym, where Roman will be a trainer and coach, the consequences could be painful for those who stand in his pupils’ path.
Fighting at the Fox Theater in Redwood City on March 27, Roman became the new International Kickboxing Federation West Coast Champion by knocking out his Muay Thai opponent in 27 seconds.
“I kicked him strong (in the head) and then went to finish him,” said Roman (4-2, 4 KOs), a graduate of Gilroy High who won the fight by TKO. “It boosts my confidence in myself, and it’s just a good thing. It’s good to see hard work pay off.”
Roman, who hopes to become a professional mixed martial artist in the near future, and his uncle, professional MMA fighter and Gilroy native Anthony “AntDawg” Figueroa, are hoping to impart that same confidence to those who attend the new gym Figueroa opened last week. Located at 1295 First Street in Gilroy, Universal Strength Headquarters (USH!) is a satellite gym that operates as an extension of a gym in San Jose started by Strikeforce MMA World Champion Cung Le, who trains both Figueroa and Roman.
“For the last five years I’ve been a head coach of some sort of local community program whether I was teaching tae kwon do, flag football, basketball, little league – I even got in the wrestling room with the high school and (Gilroy) Hawks – so, I’ve always been able to help and guide kids through our local programs,” Figueroa said. “Now, I’m finally going to be able to give the kids my own program; give them guidance (and) teach them about discipline, respect, honor, strength and good habits.”
For more information about Universal Strength Headquarters in Gilroy, call Anthony “AntDawg” Figueroa at
(408) 310-9125.
