How Robert Barrios brought himself back from the depths to become a 559 Fights champion

The constant reminders MMA fighters typically hear from their coaches are, “eat healthy, train harder, go practice, be stronger than your opponent.”

For 559 Fights and CAMO State Heavyweight champion Robert Barrios, those reminders come from his seven-year-old son, Ablazea.

“I wanted to be an example for [my kids],” the Lemoore, Calif. native said. “To show no matter how hard life gets, you can rebuild yourself with hard work and dedication.”

Barrios has four children: Albazea, six-year-old Acestynn, three-year-old Adonis and two-year-old Alani. 

Barrios says his kids’ belief in him keeps him focused and motivated to push through every battle ahead.

Barrios has been the blueprint for the values and work ethic he’s teaching his children. In July of 2024, he said he walked into Ochoa Combat Academy in Lemoore weighing over 350 pounds.

The Sierra Pacific High School alum wanted to “make a change, both physically and mentally.”

Owner and head coach of the gym, Jacob Jeff, quickly took Barrios in and helped him return to peak form.

“Ochoa Combat Academy completely transformed my game,” Barrios said. “The gym has helped me evolve into a more complete, well-rounded fighter and prepared me for every challenge inside the cage.”

Barrios was familiar with the fight game, as It wasn’t long after he had graduated high school as a three-time California state qualifying heavyweight wrestler. He was also ranked top 12 in the state twice. 

Barrios was familiar with what he had to put in to get out of it, but MMA didn’t let go once it got a hold of him.

“The discipline, the grind and the community pulled me in,” Barrios said. “What started as a way to get healthier turned into a passion for competing.”

Just six months after beginning his MMA training, he stepped into the 559 Fights cage on Saturday, Jan. 24 for his 559 Fights and MMA debut.

Barrios would knock out his opponent just under two minutes of the first round.

Throughout the next five months, he went from an unknown, to the No. 2-ranked amateur heavyweight in the entire continent of North America, according to Tapology.

Barrios received a shot for the belts at 559 Fights 114 on Saturday, May 24 against Antonio Rosales, and it was an opportunity he didn’t take lightly.

“Every training session and every drill was focused on being ready for that moment,” he said. “Stepping into the cage, I knew I was prepared to give it everything.”

Give everything he did as Barrios dominated a top amateur heavyweight en route to a first-round TKO win.

Despite his heavy wrestling background, all four of his wins have come via first-round knockout.

Barrios is defending his recently earned CAMO and 559 Fights belts against Justin Moore out of Agoura Hills at 559 Fights 117, and considers himself more than ready.

“Honestly, this is the best I’ve felt heading into a fight,” Barrios said.

He credits his preparedness to Ochoa, Just Lift Gym in Lemoore and Lifting Lifted in Visalia.

If all goes well, Barrios says he wants to continue to lose weight and fight for the CAMO State and 559 Fights Cruiserweight titles before his plan to go pro in 2026.

“I want to keep improving every part of my game, represent my hometown and team with pride and show my kids that hard work and dedication can take you anywhere.”

Contacts:

Jeremy Luchau, CEO – 559-813-0307

Antoine Hood, VP of Talent Acquisition – 760-977-6011

Michael Hernandez, PR Manager/Commentator - 559-672-9574

Sergio Romero, PR Coordinator - 559-577-2841 

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