Former gang leader devoted to youth crime prevention through MMA fighting

ORLANDO, Fla. – A Central Florida man is using mixed martial arts as a way to mentor, heal and keep kids away from video games and off the streets.

Many of Rubén Saldaña's MMA students come from broken homes or don't have a role model in their lives to inspire them, which he said is similar to how he grew up.

"My story is no different than any other kid that was drawn into gangs," Saldaña said. "I didn't have a father figure in my household. The streets became my dad."

Saldaña was once known as the leader of one of the most infamous Miami street gangs -- the International Posse -- in the '80s and '90s. But after serving 19 years in prison, Saldaña found his true calling: mentoring kids through MMA fighting.

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He said it's helping children avoid going down the same path as he did.

"I paid penalties behind that, so we don't want this for other kids, and this sport is a saving grace. People can say what they want, and everybody that criticizes this sport is because they've never been to a show, they don't take the time that you two have to come out here to see it, to experience it -- the change that's done with the kids," Saldaña said.

He started coaching and mentoring kids in his own backyard alongside his wife. Since then, they've helped countless children in many ways.

"We have had hundreds of troubled youth from Pine Hills, Parramore, Oak Ridge, OBT and Tymber Skan. We haven't had a single arrest under our watch in five years with hundreds of kids and including mentors," Saldaña said.

While Saldaña coaches, his wife, Audra, motivates the children through dialogue. She said the experiences have been rewarding.

"When I start seeing them grow, I will never have to be paid for it. It means everything to me," Audra Saldaña said.

Tracy Cox, an assistant coach, said Rubén Saldaña has personally changed his life since they met five years ago when he began training in Saldaña's backyard.

"I grew up in not so good areas and I became more addicted to the streets than where I was supposed to be. When I met Rubén, Rubén showed me the way out of it. He showed me there's more to life than just out here running around, doing nothing with your life," Cox said. 

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After four years of mentoring and coaching in his own backyard at no cost, one Orlando school took a chance on Saldaña's approach and has since made an MMA after-school class part of its curriculum. 

Hong Steele, the principal of Elite Preparatory Academy, said it overall enhances students' performances at school.

"They're just more positive. They want to come to school. They love to compete. Grades have went up, their attitude, attendance has been up," Steele said. 

Krystal Zelaya, who is taking the class at the Academy, said she's seen changes in herself since starting the class.

"It really has gotten me more confidence and it has made me a happier person," Zelaya said.

Xerix Karoutsos, another student, said the class is helping students learn things about themselves they may not have known before.

"It's helped me a lot, actually, because I've always wanted to be a fighter ever since I was really little, but I didn't really know nothing about it and I really didn't find myself good at anything else," Karoutsos said.

Saldaña said it serves as an outlet for children and is safer than many think it is.

"This is a great outlet for them, it's very safe. We don't allow head shots for the youth MMA. We're under the United States Fight League," Saldaña said.

In fact, Saldaña said their group is the oldest and most prestigious youth MMA league in the United States, and it takes a lot to keep them that way.

"This is a big sport, this isn't just like come, show up, you're gone," Saldaña said. "They're registered fighters, licenses. You have to get a coach's license, and everybody is screened for sex offenses and crimes against children."

In addition to mastering fighting skills, the kids also get the chance to travel around the country to compete in championships. 

Saldaña said they will always do their best to make sure the children get those opportunities, even if it means making sacrifices.

"Most of these kids are here on scholarships, or they're sponsored, or we just let them in because they can't afford to come in, you know? So it means everything to me," Saldaña said. "I have to give back. It's not a choice, it's an obligation. I have to give back, I owe this."

The MMA youth program and the private school also provide children and families in need with food  donated by the community and clothing. On Sundays, they train at the West Art Walls in the Parramore area from 2 to 4 p.m.

For more information on the MMA program, visit Saldaña 's Facebook page.