David Martinez is driving excessive, regardless that his UFC debut was almost three weeks in the past.
After a lifetime construct, and sacrifices that included stepping away from a profitable profession as a surgeon, Martinez (12-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made a dream come true March 29 at UFC on ESPN 64 when he completed Saimon Oliveira with strikes in entrance of a raucous Mexico Metropolis crowd.
Martinez nonetheless can’t suppress his smile when he displays on it.
“I used to be very excited with my efficiency and really glad I gained one of many bonuses,” Martinez instructed MMA Junkie on Tuesday via a Spanish-language interpreter. “… For me, it’s a dream. I’m very glad. I’m very happy with my efficiency and for the work that I put in in these months. I used to be proud as a result of I fought with my metropolis, with my individuals, with one of the best league on the planet, the UFC. It was thrilling.”
After his first style of the UFC cage, Martinez craves extra. He needs one other battle, one other alternative to rack up a spotlight, and one other second of elation as he soaks in crowd noise.
Regardless of preventing in his residence nation, Martinez admits the expertise was a bit overseas. Developing the ranks via Combate World, which holds its occasions in a studio with out a reside viewers, then shifting onto the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Sequence on the UFC Apex, Martinez wasn’t used to that degree of power.
Nonetheless, he used digital actuality boxing video games throughout coaching camp to assist him mentally regulate.
“It’s a really totally different psychological work,” Martinez stated. “It’s very humorous as a result of I labored this psychological compartment with my VR for PlayStation 5. I’ve one recreation the place I’m boxing with the opposite man and there’s plenty of noise. After I plat this recreation, I make consider it’s my subsequent battle. That’s what I did for this battle.”
As he turns his consideration away from the previous and towards the longer term, Martinez thinks it’s a no brainer what’s subsequent. First, he’ll assist his sister Melissa Martinez together with her UFC battle July 12 vs. Fatima Kline at an occasion anticipated to happen in Nashville, Tenn.
He’s crossing his fingers that he can return to competitors Sept. 13 at UFC 320, the promotion’s annual Noche UFC, a celebration of Mexican Independence Day.
“I wish to battle in Mexico in September in Guadalajara,” Martinez stated. “I’m prepared proper now. On this second, I’m very centered on the following battle of my sister [Melissa Martinez]. My sister fights on July 12 and I’m very excited to go together with her. Subsequent for me, I consider shall be in Guadalajara. … I don’t have one identify particularly. I’m prepared for no matter fighter. I wish to take it step-by-step, little steps.”
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