If you take one look at Anthony Figueroa, you instantly know he’s a fighter.
From his muscular physique to his Cauliflower ear, it’s clear that Figueroa knows the difference between a triangle and a rear naked choke — and he’s sharing his knowledge with fighters young and old.
Figueroa opened Antdawg’s MMA gym in Gilroy in 2009 and has watched it grow from the tiny 2,000-square foot space it once was into the nearly 4,000-square foot venue it is today. Since its inception, the gym has seen steady growth and interest from the community — including his own family members.
Antdawg’s is operated by Figueroa with the help of his son and niece, professional fighter Brianna Van Buren. Members range from as young as 5-years-old to as old as 63 — though there is no age limit on who can join — and it’s here they learn the fundamentals and values of the mixed martial arts.
“It’s really rewarding when we get all these parents who come and thank us for being a role model for their kids, helping them and teaching them,” Figueroa said. “That part is just huge and it’s a good feeling to know that it helps and we’re doing good and we’re doing right. Other people believe in us, it’s really rewarding.”
Fighting is not confined to the four walls of Antdawg’s gym, however. Members of the gym often participate in MMA tournaments. In fact, youth and teen fighters took part in the Muay Thai Battleground competition July 14 in San Jose.
In addition to bringing the younger fighters to tournaments, the gym also has its own successful fight team. The team earned seven gold medals at the Jiu Jitsu By The Bay tournament June 8 in Alameda. Van Buren also took home the championship belt in the Open Division for the second year in a row.
“It was great, it was hard work,” the 19-year-old strawweight fighter said. “Winning the belt, I was speechless. I’m still in shock.”
Winning the belt is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Van Buren’s career. She is an up-and-coming fighter in the women’s MMA scene and has already fought in televised events like XFC 23: Louisville Slugfest which aired lived on April 19 from Kentucky.
Van Buren is waiting on a call from the female fighting organization Invicta and hopefully one day, the UFC.
“I’m still kind of in shock about the whole ‘turning pro’ thing,” Van Buren said. “Somedays I’m like ‘Wow. I’m really a professional fighter. This is what I do.’”
Van Buren isn’t the only one with big aspirations.
Figueroa has already seen his dream of owning a successful gym become a reality, but he’s not stopping there. The 33-year-old wants to see his product continue to grow as well the fight team continue to flourish. He will continue to compete and will fight in the Tachi Palace Fights 16 against Jimmy Grant on Aug. 22 at Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore. Figueroa would also love a shot at the UFC, but is focused on training the youth of Gilroy in the mixed martial arts.
While Figueroa and Van Buren have already tested their skills at the professional level, fighter Adin Duenas has yet to do so. The 24-year-old featherweight fighter will get his shot when he makes his professional MMA debut Aug. 24.
Duenas is no stranger to fighting — or winning. He wrestled at Gilroy High — winning two Central Coast Section champions during his time there — and at Cal Fullerton where he was crowned the Pac-10 Champion in his junior year.
“I was always more into the more physical sports,” Duenas said. “So growing up watching it (MMA) and wrestling I was interested. After wrestling ended, I just wanted to give MMA a shot.”
The UFC bug has also bitten Duenas. Though he has yet to fight at the professional level, he already has big goals for his mixed martial arts career.
“As far as longterm goes, I want to be World Champion,” he said. “As far as short-term, I’m just kind of taking it one fight at a time and taking one step to get to the top.”
