ABOUT

 

About This Journey:

This blog was created to document our son’s journey into the world of combat sports. It’s not a path his mother or I chose for him—this is a journey an 8-year-old boy chose entirely on his own. That’s what makes it so special.

After Andre Xsaviour was born on May 23, 2016, I made a personal decision to live a healthier lifestyle. At 52 years old, I felt I owed it to him to get fit and stay as healthy as possible—to be there for him in every way, for as long as I could.

From the moment he learned to walk, “Lil Man,” as I call him, has been right there in the gym with me. I built a garage gym where I spent countless hours lifting weights, practicing yoga and qigong, and training in Kung Fu and Western boxing. He loved being there.

By the time he turned three, it was clear how much he enjoyed it, so I bought him his first pair of boxing gloves and set up a small heavy bag next to mine. We trained side by side. I would show him videos of legends like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Bruce Lee—fighters I admired growing up. Today, he looks up to them just as much as I still do.

Shortly after he turned 8, we discovered a local MMA class for kids. We had just moved to the area, so it felt like a blessing. I had always wanted to introduce him to martial arts—not just for self-defense, but for the discipline and structure it builds.

As a young adult, I trained in Isshin-Ryū Karate for about two years. I was close to earning my orange belt before financial hardship forced me to stop. But the lessons and discipline stayed with me, and I wanted him to have that same foundation.

Money was tight, so I hesitated at first. But when we learned the classes were free, we didn’t think twice.

He fell in love with MMA almost instantly. He was especially inspired by the older fighters at the gym—both amateurs and professionals. Since MMA wasn’t around when I was younger, I immersed myself in learning everything I could about the sport so I could support him properly.

He wanted to train constantly—at the gym and at home. After just a few months, he had his first exhibition match in the octagon. It was more of a kickboxing format, and he actually competed twice that same day—once before the event and once during it. He won both matches. From that moment on, he was hooked.

About a week later, he told me he wanted to become a UFC champion. I’ll be honest—I was surprised. When I asked him why, he simply said, “Because I can.”

I talked to him about what it truly takes to become a champion—not to discourage him, but to see if he understood the commitment. For an 8-year-old, his mindset was incredible. From that day on, I knew I had to take his dream seriously.

His mother and I made a decision: we would support him 100%. As long as he stays committed, we’ll be right there beside him. And if he ever chooses a different path, we’ll support that too. This journey isn’t about us—it’s about believing in a young boy’s dream.

It didn’t take long for coaches and fighters at the gym to notice his dedication. There were mornings we woke up early just to get a training session in before school. That level of commitment—especially at his age—doesn’t go unnoticed.

I began sharing some of his progress on Facebook, and his mother posted videos on TikTok. The support he received from people all over the world inspired us to create this blog and build a platform around Andre Xsaviour—also known as The Puerto Rican Viking.

Now 9 years old, soon to be 10, he hasn’t slowed down at all. His goal of becoming a UFC champion has only grown stronger. Now he says he wants to achieve it not only because he can—but also to bring the belt to Norway and help push for the full legalization of MMA.

Today, becoming a UFC champion takes more than just skill. It requires personality, presence, and a strong fanbase. We understand that—and so does he. That’s why we invite you to join us on this journey.

We’ll be sharing photos, videos, and stories from the very beginning all the way to the day that belt is wrapped around his waist. Along the way, we also hope to provide insight for other young athletes chasing similar dreams.

We understand that some parents may hesitate when it comes to MMA, as it’s often seen as violent or even brutal. But appearances can be deceiving. Studies have shown that MMA can actually be safer than boxing in certain respects. More importantly, we’ve experienced firsthand the many benefits it offers—discipline, confidence, focus, and resilience.

We’ll also be sharing training routines, nutrition tips, and lessons that have helped “Lil Man” grow—both as an athlete and as a person.

Thank you for being part of this journey.