The streets of Lawrence showed little mercy on Will Santiago.
Growing up poor in a broken home, Santiago found trouble at every turn.
"Street life is not something you choose," said Santiago, now 26. "It's something you're born into."
After 10 years embroiled in drugs and violence — bouncing in and out of jail — Santiago decided to take his fight off the streets and into the "Octagon."
At 26 years old, Santiago will take the next step on what he hopes can be a long, productive journey in the mixed martial arts game.
An aspiring "ultimate fighter," he'll face Josh Morales of Manchester, N.H., in the main event of an all-amateur Combat Zone mixed martial arts fight card tonight at Rockingham Park.
It will be the second amateur fight for Santiago, who won his debut.
"After this fight, the plan is to turn pro," said Santiago, who works on-call for a moving company in the city. "As a professional, I can earn some money. And my goal is to get to the UFC. I'm going to get there. I know it. Believe me, I feel like I'm the one."
Santiago admits he's been scrapping longer than he'd care to remember.
Bouncing around the city as a youngster, he hooked up with gangs. He started at Lawrence High but never finished.
"Again, it's not something I am real proud of," he said. "The streets just took hold of me."
There was no epiphany, no rock bottom. Santiago, about two years ago just said enough was enough.
"There are two ways you can go when you're running on the streets. You wind up in prison or you wind up dead," said Santiago, who competes as a 185-pound middleweight. "I feel like I got off lucky."
Santiago always felt himself an athlete. He needed an outlet.
As a youngster, his mother would boast about her uncle, former heavyweight contender and WBA world cruiserweight boxing champ Ossie Ocasio of Puerto Rico.
About 18 months ago, he found the gym, American Top Team of Boston, and struck a passion.
These days, he trains at least two hours six days a week, working not only in his specialty of striking but in all phases of the martial arts.
It is away from the gym, though, and away from work, where Santiago, known as "The Brown Bomber," accomplishes his most significant work.
"All those mistakes I made, I just want to do all I can to correct them. I'm ready to give back to the community," he said.
Most recently, he has been a featured speaker at the Lawrence Boys Club and other venues.
"It's far from a 'scared straight' kind of talk," he said. "I speak about life experiences, and I just try to be honest with them about what's out there and the mistakes I made."
The world of mixed martial arts can be tougher than city streets if you aren't prepared.
As Santiago understands, the other guys hit, too. But he says he's ready.
"It's a chance to fight basically in my hometown," said Santiago, who has sold over 150 tickets on his own. "I'm trying to do the right thing. I can't wait."
Amateur night at the Rock
Combat Zone Mixed Martial Arts is presenting 14 amateur bouts today in the sports bar at Rockingham Park in Salem, with the first bout slated for 8 p.m.
James Post of Kingston and Devin Lenfest of Londonderry are the other local fighters.
Tickets will be available at the door from $35-$100. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, go to czmma.com.
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