Now hailing from Orlando, Florida and the highly touted American Top Team camp, Jose Figueroa is certainly a role model to the sport and to his son. As a professional fighter, “The People’s Champ” fuels the growth of mixed martial arts to the younger generation of students and prospects though instruction to groups and individuals seeking to develop their own skill set.
“Mixed martial arts is my college, my job and my profession,” says a modest Figueroa. “I teach and train everyday to further the sport and to take care of my family. I’m a father and having my little boy look up to me and want to do all the things I do is awesome.”
Standing at 6’3”, Figueroa is a monstrous lightweight who made his professional debut in 2006 with a decisive TKO Victory over Chandler Belaston. From here, he went on to win another three consecutive bouts before tasting his first defeat by way of submission thanks to a suffocating guillotine choke sunk in by notable Jonathan Brookins. The loss was shaken off and Figueroa went on a three-fight tear, amassing an impressive 7-1 record before falling off the horse and losing three straight. Some may see the string of losses as a fighter losing his game and ability – until you look deeper into the story. These three losses came against top-tier competition: Eric Reynolds, Edson Barboza and Luis Palomino, who have a combined record of 29-10.
In fact, since his first loss, Figueroa’s opponents have a combined record of 52 -21; leave nothing to doubt, “The People’s Champ” is one tough competitor. “Figueroa is a definite asset to the lightweight stable of M-1 Global’s fighters,” says Director of Operations, Evgeni Kogan. “He fought an extremely tough opponent in the Selections Semi Finals in Atlantic City and he’s positioned himself for a chance to win his division on September 18th.”
In his dominating performance August 7th versus Josh Thorpe, Figueroa effectively utilized his reach advantage and showed overwhelming control on the ground. With Thorpe pulling guard, the imposing Figueroa was able to post up and lay down heavy strikes at will; however the bout went the distance with the judges handing Figueroa the victory by unanimous decision.
Although coming out of his Semi Final bout relatively unscathed, “The People’s Champ” has 31 days before returning to Atlantic City, New Jersey to face Newport News, Viginia’s George ‘Light’s Out’ Sheppard in the clash to determine the M-1 Selection 2010 – Americas lightweight champion on September 18.
The M-1 Selection2010 – Americas Finals take place live on September 18 at Bally’s Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Tickets are available through www.TicketMaster.com. Doors open at 7:00 pm, first fight at 7:30 PM/ET.
Free broadcast coverage of the entire 2010 M-1 Selection tournament will be available at a later date to viewers worldwide on www.M-1global.com and selected affiliate partner sites.
