top of page

From Tijuana to Toltec Combat

My journey began at 22 in Tijuana, Mexico, when curiosity led me to Miguel “Maykito” Martinez’s boxing gym. From the moment my hands were wrapped, I was hooked. Not long after, I fought for the first time at an underground club in San Diego, California — and from there, my path took me across the world.

I’ve trained with world-ranked fighters, champions, and incredible teachers in gyms that became second homes: Maykito Boxing Gym (Tijuana), House of Boxing (San Diego), Al’s Boxing Club (Sydney), Ringers Boxing Gym (Wollongong), Tawasi (Australia), and now Dragon Fist MMA (Kirrawee, Sydney) — the home of Toltec Combat. Each gym, each trainer, each fight added layers to my understanding of both combat and life.

With over 15 years in combat sports, I’ve developed a system that blends boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, and internal martial arts — a path that strengthens the body while cultivating inner balance.

Having fought professionally, I learned that strength alone isn’t enough. True health comes from harmony — body, mind, and spirit. This led me to study under Paul Chek’s Spirit Gym, exploring how energy, emotion, and awareness influence healing, performance, and wellbeing.

Toltec Combat is the expression of that journey: a space to cultivate discipline, awareness, and vitality. We train for more than power — we train to live fully, master ourselves, and refine both the warrior and the human within.

Daniel Duran.

bottom of page