While people slowly trickled into the HP Pavilion on Friday
night for one of the most anticipated MMA fights of all time,
Gilroy’s Anthony
”
Ant Dawg
”
Figueroa prepared for battle.
Paul Doherty Staff Writer
San Jose – While people slowly trickled into the HP Pavilion on Friday night for one of the most anticipated MMA fights of all time, Gilroy’s Anthony “Ant Dawg” Figueroa prepared for battle.
Facing San Francisco’s Chris Cariaso in the 135 lbs. weight class, both fighters entered the cage undefeated but one left with his first loss.
In the second fight of the evening, both Figueroa and Cariaso came out swinging in the first round of the three-round fight (three minutes per round).
With early exchanges, Cariaso landed a side kick to Figueroa’s head, but Figueroa answered back with a flurry of punches.
Cariaso countered by taking Figueroa to the floor, but avoided being put into a submission hold and was quickly back to his feet.
After a lot of tangling and dancing, Cariaso again took Figueroa to the floor, and the round ended with Cariaso landing a few soft punches while Figueroa was on the mat.
“In the first round I wish that I had landed some bigger shots, but after I mounted him I think that played a really big part,” Cariaso said.
In round two both fighters showed skill and stamina.
Cariaso opened the round with furious kicks, but Figueroa countered with a flow of strong, steady punches.
Going back and forth, the fight appeared to be evenly matched.
Using his Muay Thai training Cariaso began picking Figueroa apart with kicks to the legs and mid-section, until Figueroa landed a roundhouse kick to Cariaso’s chin followed up with a combination of punches.
“He got me a few times, and I don’t think I was countering enough,” Figueroa said.
Going into round three, both fighters were slow to attack the other, dancing around the ring for the first minute.
Cariaso then lands a left-kick to the head, and then a solid left-punch to the head, putting Figueroa on the defensive.
With about a minute and a half left ion the final round, and Figueroa trying to stay on his feet, the fighters became locked up and would remain that way until the final horn.
The winner by unanimous decision, Cariaso narrowly defeated Figueroa in all three rounds, 30-27 in the first round, 30-27 in the second round, and 29-28 in the final round.
“I feel really good about the fight and still being undefeated. I had a hard time at first and everything was tentative,” Cariaso said. “I had a great team to help me out, and I was glad that EliteXC and Strikeforce put me in this show.”
“I fought my fight and I have no problem with the decision. I can’t complain about the decision, but things like this happen when you leave it to the judges,” Figueroa said. “I know I have to bounce back and I need to get back in the gym right away.”
With a MMA record of 2-1-0, Figueroa is prepared to fight as soon as possible.
“I’d love to fight (Cariaso) again,” he said.
Cariaso was happy with the outcome and hopes to stay on top.
“I’m 5-0 in MMA now and I want to take it to the next level, Cariaso said. “I want to stay in these big time shows.”
