In the dynamic world of mixed martial arts, 22-year-old Aldo Dominguez is quickly making a name for himself from his home base in Marathon.
With an impressive six championship titles already secured in taekwondo and kickboxing, Dominguez has seamlessly transitioned into the demanding MMA arena, where he’s already amassed four amateur victories. He is a three-time champion with Vigilant MMA, a two-time Combat Night champion, and a titleholder with Action Fight League, 305 Fights and World Class Combat Sports (WCCS).
Today, he told the Weekly, he’s singularly focused on capturing his first pro MMA title, a pivotal step on his ambitious journey to turning professional by next year.
“I grew up practicing taekwondo,” said Rodriguez. “For about 12 years I was on a national team that traveled to different countries doing taekwondo competitions, and I’ve been to several Olympic training camps. When I turned 17 I started to do kickboxing competitions and went undefeated. I was 10-0. I loved the feeling of winning, so I just kept going and now I’ve transitioned to MMA.”
Rising in national popularity, MMA is a full-contact combat sport that brings together a wide array of fighting techniques, blending skills from disciplines like boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, taekwondo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu to create a comprehensive and versatile approach to combat.
Dominguez’s journey began at the age of 5, quickly leading him then to dominate the kickboxing scene. The transition to MMA was a natural progression for him, he said. Under the guidance of his father, Aldo Dominguez Sr., and coach Albert Robleto, Dominguez dedicates himself to intense daily sessions, focusing on technique and conditioning.
“We have very high-level training partners,” said Dominguez. “It’s just a lot of dedication and consistency and my coaches put in a lot of time and effort. There are a lot of mental benefits as well. The workouts and sparring help me clear my head and my mind. It’s just a way of expressing myself, really. It helps me stay out of trouble. When I win the competitions, it’s also a way for me to inspire people to never give up on their goals.”
Dominguez has a rigorous training schedule as he prepares for his next bout on July 19 in Fort Lauderdale at a competition called Combat Night, where he’ll face opponent Daniel Neil from New York. Training sessions focus on building strength, endurance and agility through a variety of exercises and techniques, including weightlifting, cardio, sparring and grappling. Training also involves drills and conditioning exercises to simulate fight scenarios. When asked about his upcoming fight, Dominguez exudes confidence.
“I feel very confident because I believe my skills are above my opponent’s,” he said. “I’m not looking for a quick finish; I’m looking for a good fight that will display all my skills.”
With ambitious sights set on becoming the youngest world MMA champion, Dominguez is steadily building his legacy. Bolstered by the support of local sponsors such as A Divine Home, Water’s Edge Homes, Benoit Management, All Amps Electric, Pink Punch Studio and Kali G Development, his coaches say the rising star is clearly on a path not just to professional success, but to becoming a true champion both inside and outside the cage.
“It’s incredible what he has been able to accomplish,” said Robleto. We call him ‘the dominator’ because that’s what he does. He dominates in every competition he enters. I’m so proud of him and grateful to be a part of his journey.”
As Dominguez continues to refine his skills and push the boundaries of his athletic prowess, his journey from a young taekwondo prodigy to a MMA contender serves as a testament to relentless dedication. The Keys, and the broader MMA world, will be watching closely as Dominguez steps closer to realizing his ambitious future.
