Modern Fighting Arts Academy Creates Great Fighters

Like the legendary Mighty Mick's Gym in Sylvester Stallone's classic film "Rocky," Modern Fighting Arts Academy on Hicksville Road is a rugged school that churns out great fighters.

Run by Andrew "Tattoo" Filardo, Modern Fighting Arts Academy has been in Massapequa for nearly 16 years, and a lot of amateur and pro fighters have come out of the gym, including several Golden Gloves Boxing champions.

Filardo has also taught law enforcement officers, special forces, and marines how to be even tougher.

He started in the martial arts in 1977, becoming a 4th degree black belt in USA GOJU Karate and learning boxing and kickboxing at the famous Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn. Filardo has also mastered "Combat" Modern Arnis, a Filipino martial art created by the late Remy Presas combining stick, knife, and open-hand fighting techniques.

All told, Filardo's fighting experience encompasses 33 years of hard work and sacrifice.

Being a student at Filardo's school isn't for the faint of heart- once you progress past the level of beginner, all training is full contact with just the bare minimum of protective padding. But, as Filardo says, "You can't go swimming and not get wet."

"My gym is a throwback. This gym belongs in Brooklyn somewhere," he said. "Mixed Martial Arts is pretty wild, but it's still a sport, and there's still rules. What I teach is realistic and for the street."

To that end, Filardo eschews colored belts and other traditional Martial Arts rankings. This ensures that he weeds out those looking for false confidence and ego boosts from those who really want to better themselves.

"I want people who can walk the walk, not talk the talk," he said. "Here, the talk stops, and the walk starts."

Filardo spoke of what motivates him to pass on the knowledge that helped shape his fists of fury.

"This isn't a commercial gym; I don't teach for money," he said. "I teach for the love of training, and giving back to the sports of Boxing, Kickboxing, and the Arnis."

Despite possessing the intimidation factor that would make you happily hand your wallet over to him in a dark alley, Filardo's philosophy on fighting is surprisingly enlightened.

"The best thing to do in a fight is to talk your way out of it," he said. "The more confident you are in yourself, you'll be less likely to feel like you have to prove something."

"A lot of people get the wrong impression of this place," Filardo concluded. "They come in and get intimidated, but the group of guys I have here are very helpful. I want people, even girls, to come in here and feel like they can train. And you shouldn't be afraid to better yourself, because there's no reward without risk."