Martial arts guru's smart new move

Dylan Andrews has started his new coaching and mentoring role at Tauranga's Martial Arts Academy. Photo / George Novak

One of New Zealand's finest ever exponents of mixed martial arts (MMA) is now based in Tauranga.

Dylan Andrews, who was the first Kiwi fighter to appear on the American reality show the The Ultimate Fighter, is the new MMA, boxing and fitness head coach at the city-based Martial Arts Academy.

The 35-year-old is still active on the pro-circuit but is motivated to make a difference in mentoring and training athletes of all ages and levels from the Western Bay region.

Andrews had a tough upbringing in Wellington, which he says gives him an advantage when it comes to dealing with kids going through similar issues.

"That is a huge part of why I am here. When I became a professional in my sport, a big focus was I wanted to give back to where I came from. I was given an opportunity and I am back to share the knowledge.

"It is easy for someone to say you should be doing this, this and that without having any knowledge of what these kids have been through. I have a bit of an advantage in being able to talk to the kids and share where I came from and where I got to."

Andrews is the ultimate advert for the benefits of never giving up on your goals.

He tried three times to get on to The Ultimate Fighter.

He failed to make it on to the thirteenth and fifteenth season of the show plus the Australian-based series The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes. His persistence finally paid off when he was announced as a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter 17 in January 2013.

"It was more self-validation for all my hard work," Andrews said.

"People have told me never give up and keep going but I was like, how long do I have to keep going before this is going to work? Fortunately, I got it into my head there was no end to this so keep trying until it happens."

Martial Arts Academy owner Scott Coburn says the main reason he recruited Andrews was the human aspects of who he was.

"The fact that he is not a thug, not an intimidating person, and is really personable and humble, is actually of more value to me than his hands and feet," Coburn said.

"We are going to take him into quite a few schools and have him speak as a mentor, as a motivational speaker to youth to open their eyes and understand that you literally can be anything you want to be."