Gilroy native Anthony “AntDawg” Figueroa showed little sign of rust when he stepped into the octagon for the first time since December, taking on Fred Lux at the Coalition of Combat’s Pound 4 Pound mixed martial arts event Saturday night in Phoenix.
Figueroa demonstrated that even on short notice his fitness and conditioning remained at bout-ready as he picked up a second round knockout victory to claim the flyweight title.
“I knew it was a big challenge, but I stayed ready,” he said. “He is one of the top guys (in Arizona). I kind of went in and spoiled his plans.”
Figueroa (7-6) was informed of the fight just three weeks in advance.
“The cool thing was that the fight was streamed online so a lot of people from the gym were able to see it,” said Figueroa, who is the owner and operator of AntDawg’s USH Training Center. “I’m just really excited to bring the belt back for Gilroy and the gym. It’s a big deal for us.”
Figueroa said he escaped a bit of trouble – in the form of fending off a standing choke hold – in the first before finding his range late in the five-minute round.
“I kind of felt him out in the first,” Figueroa said of his opponent who is known for his wrestling skill. “When I first started out, I was more of a boxer and kickboxer. Now, I’m more well rounded.”
Forty-five seconds into the second round, Figueroa landed a vicious left hook that sent Lux down.
“I caught him good,” Figueroa said, quickly adding that Lux is OK.
The local fighter doesn’t expect to wait another nine months before his next bout.
“Now I get to defend the belt,” he said. “The phone should be ringing soon.”
