Less than a year after professional mixed martial arts was legalized in New York, a local man claims victory at Madison Square Garden. But for Tommy "Gunz" Marcellino, there's not too much time for celebration. As Barry Wygel reports, Marcellino was back in the gym this week, trying to fight his way up the professional ladder.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- When you think of going to the gym you probably don't think of this mixed martial arts. But MMA, boxing and martial arts are seeing a resurgence in New York, thanks to the legalization of professional MMA in New York and the ability to root for hometown heroes.

"It's been illegal my whole career. This weekend was the first time I fought in New York," said Tommy "Gunz" Marcellino, an Amsterdam resident.

Tommy Marcellino became one of the first professional MMA fighters to represent New York in his home state, fighting New Years Eve in Madison Square Garden.

"It was a dream come true," said Marcellino.

And to make it better -- he won.

"That was a big plus," said Marcellino.

Tommy trains all over the Capital Region, including at Renzo Gracie Academy in Latham, and does his boxing training at Schott's Boxing in Albany, where dozens of people try their hand at boxing.

"It's a wide range -- doctors, lawyers, construction workers cops, fireman -- a whole wide range," said Kyle Provenzano, the co-owner of Schott's Boxing.

And contrary to what you might think, the boxing classes don't involve getting hit in the head repeatedly. Many members never step into the ring, enjoying the fitness aspect of the sport. But Kyle says it's about the community his gym builds.

"Even the ones who don't really like boxing or MMA per se, if there was ever an MMA show locally they would come out, they would support Tommy in a second," said Provenzano.

Tommy doesn't have any upcoming fights planned, there's one in New Jersey on his radar, but he's holding out hope that one day, he will live out his dream of hearing his name announced right at home.

"We finally got to fight in New York, and just thank you to everyone," said Marcellino.