Tony “11 Tiros” Gordillo will have the opportunity to add a new chapter to a career that began more than a decade ago when he faces Alfonso Sánchez for the BUDO Sento Championship middleweight title on October 16 in Mexico City.
For the Argentine veteran, the belt represents more than another accolade. After years of competing across different countries and experiencing both victories and defeats, Gordillo sees BUDO 37 as an opportunity to give meaning to the road that brought him here.
“For me, it means a lot. I’ve had a very long journey in this sport, with many fights, many countries, wins, losses and experiences that helped me grow both as a fighter and as a person,” Gordillo told Fajador.
“Becoming the first Budo Sento middleweight champion would be a way to put a title on all those years of work and sacrifice. I don’t just want to win the belt. I want to be part of the organization’s history.”
Experience without overlooking the challenge
Across the cage will be Alfonso Sánchez, a younger fighter whose power and recent performances have earned Gordillo’s respect.
“I have a lot of respect for Alfonso. He’s a young fighter, he’s developing very quickly, and he has shown that he has power and can finish a fight at any moment.”
While Gordillo carries significantly more professional experience into the matchup, he does not view that as a reason to underestimate his opponent.
“Experience, for me, does not mean underestimating your opponent. It means knowing how to deal with different situations, staying calm when things don’t go your way and making good decisions under pressure.”
That perspective reflects what Gordillo describes as one of the biggest differences between the fighter he is today and the one who began his professional career in 2012.
“A much more mature version of Tony Gordillo is coming into this fight. I’ve learned from the wins, but especially from the losses. Today I understand my body, my mind and my fighting style much better.”
And despite the years accumulated inside the cage, the motivation remains.
“I’m still hungry, I still want to compete and I still enjoy this a lot, but now I have a different level of maturity. I don’t need to prove anything outside the cage. When the door closes, I’m simply going to do my job.”
A special return to Mexico
BUDO 37 also carries personal significance because of Gordillo’s relationship with Mexico.
The Argentine lived in the country for several years and credits many friends and teammates there with playing an important role in his journey.
“Mexico has a special meaning for me because I lived there for several years and I have many friends, teammates and people who were part of my career.”
This time, however, Gordillo will face a Mexican opponent in front of his home crowd.
“I know a lot of people will be supporting him and I expect an incredible atmosphere. I like that. I like fighting in front of a crowd, feeling the energy and that pressure.”
“I’ll walk into the cage representing Argentina, but also with a lot of respect for Mexico and for everything that country meant in my career.”
Another chapter, not the end
Should Gordillo leave BUDO 37 with the championship, he plans to enjoy a moment he has spent years working toward before considering what comes next.
But retirement is not part of the conversation.
“I’m still very hungry and I feel like I have several good years left in this sport. I want to keep facing the best, keep traveling, keep learning and look for new opportunities.”
For Gordillo, becoming champion would represent a milestone — not a conclusion.
“As long as I have my health and the desire to compete, Tony ‘11 Tiros’ Gordillo is going to keep fighting. This belt wouldn’t be the end of my career. It would be another chapter.”
BUDO 37 takes place on October 16 in Mexico City, with Tony Gordillo and Alfonso Sánchez meeting for the middleweight championship.
