Jonathan Martinez
American mixed martial artist (born 1994)
Jonathan Martinez (born April 20, 1994) is an American professional mixed martial artist . Martinez currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Background
Martinez from a Salvadoran mother and Mexican father was born and grew up in California and moved with his family to Plainview, Texas , at the age of 13.[ 3] At the age of 14, his father took him to Taekwondo class to learn discipline, which eventually led to mixed martial arts training.[ 6]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Martinez started his professional MMA career since 2014. He amassed a record of 9–1 prior to being signed by UFC.[ 7]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Martinez made his UFC debut on October 27, 2018 on UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith , replacing an injured Gavin Tucker against Andre Soukhamthath .[ 8] After getting knocked down multiple times, Martinez lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 9]
Martinez's next fight came on February 9, 2019 at UFC 234 against Wuliji Buren .[ 10] Martinez won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 11]
Martinez faced Liu Pingyuan on July 13, 2019 at UFC Fight Night: de Randamie vs. Ladd .[ 12] He won the fight via knockout in round three.[ 13] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[ 14]
As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Martinez faced Andre Ewell on February 8, 2020 at UFC 247 .[ 15] [ 16] He lost the fight via split decision.[ 17] Right after the bout, Martinez signed a new contract with the promotion.[ 18]
Martinez faced Frankie Saenz on August 1, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan .[ 19] At the weigh-ins, Martinez weighed in at 140.5 pounds, four and a half pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at a catchweight and he was fined 30 percent of his purse, which went to Saenz.[ 20] After knocking Saenz down multiple times, Martinez won the fight via TKO in the third round.[ 21]
Martinez faced Thomas Almeida on October 18, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 180 .[ 22] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 23]
Martinez faced Davey Grant on March 13, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 187 .[ 24] Despite knocking Grant down in the first round, Martinez ultimately lost the fight via knockout in round two.[ 25]
Martinez was scheduled to face Nathaniel Wood on September 4, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191 .[ 26] However, Wood was removed from the bout in mid-August for undisclosed reasons and replaced by Marcelo Rojo.[ 27] At the weigh-ins, Martinez weighed in at 138 pounds, two pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. The bout was scrapped after Martinez withdrew due to complications from the weight cut.[ 28]
Martinez was scheduled to face Aaron Phillips , replacing Kris Moutinho on October 23, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 196 .[ 29] However, Philips withdrew from the bout due to illness[ 30] and was replaced by Zviad Lazishvili.[ 31] Martinez won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 32]
Martinez faced Alejandro Pérez on February 26, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 202 .[ 33] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 34]
Martinez faced Vince Morales on May 21, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 206 .[ 35] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 36]
Martinez faced Cub Swanson on October 15, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 212 .[ 37] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[ 38] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[ 39]
Martinez faced Said Nurmagomedov on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221 . He won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 40] 13 out of 17 media outlets scored the bout as a victory for Nurmagomedov.[ 41]
Martinez faced Adrian Yañez on October 14, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 230 .[ 42] He won the fight via TKO in round two.[ 43] [ 44] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[ 45]
Martinez faced José Aldo on May 4, 2024, at UFC 301 .[ 46] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[ 47]
Martinez faced Marcus McGhee on November 16, 2024 at UFC 309 .[ 48] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[ 49]
Personal life
Jonathan and his wife Amber have three children.[ 3] [ 50]
Championships and awards
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
25 matches
19 wins
6 losses
By knockout
9
1
By submission
2
0
By decision
8
4
By disqualification
0
1
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
19–6
Marcus McGhee
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 309
November 16, 2024
3
5:00
New York City, New York , United States
Loss
19–5
José Aldo
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 301
May 4, 2024
3
5:00
Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
Win
19–4
Adrian Yañez
TKO (leg kick)
UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza
October 14, 2023
2
2:26
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Performance of the Night.
Win
18–4
Said Nurmagomedov
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili
March 11, 2023
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
17–4
Cub Swanson
TKO (leg kick)
UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Araújo
October 15, 2022
2
4:19
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Performance of the Night.
Win
16–4
Vince Morales
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira
May 21, 2022
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
15–4
Alejandro Pérez
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green
February 26, 2022
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Featherweight bout.
Win
14–4
Zviad Lazishvili
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori
October 23, 2021
3
5:00
Las Vegas , Nevada , United States
Loss
13–4
Davey Grant
KO (punch)
UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad
March 13, 2021
2
3:03
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
13–3
Thomas Almeida
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie
October 18, 2020
3
5:00
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Featherweight bout.
Win
12–3
Frankie Saenz
TKO (knee and punches)
UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan
August 1, 2020
3
0:57
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Catchweight (140.5 lb) bout; Martinez missed weight.
Loss
11–3
Andre Ewell
Decision (split)
UFC 247
February 8, 2020
3
5:00
Houston, Texas , United States
Win
11–2
Liu Pingyuan
KO (knee)
UFC Fight Night: de Randamie vs. Ladd
July 13, 2019
3
3:53
Sacramento, California , United States
Performance of the Night.
Win
10–2
Wuliji Buren
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 234
February 9, 2019
3
5:00
Melbourne , Australia
Loss
9–2
Andre Soukhamthath
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith
October 27, 2018
3
5:00
Moncton , New Brunswick , Canada
Win
9–1
Randy Hinds
Submission (armbar)
FFL: Fist Fight Night 2
September 30, 2017
1
0:56
Amarillo, Texas , United States
Return to Bantamweight.
Win
8–1
Jesse Cruz
Submission (armbar)
Combate Americas: Road to the Championship 3
April 18, 2016
1
2:17
Los Angeles, California , United States
Catchweight (130 lb) bout.
Loss
7–1
Matt Schnell
DQ (illegal knee)
Legacy FC 49
December 4, 2015
2
2:21
Bossier City, Louisiana , United States
Flyweight bout.
Win
7–0
Ryan Hollis
Decision (unanimous)
GCS 3: Hub City Havoc
April 25, 2015
3
5:00
Lubbock, Texas , United States
Catchweight (130 lb) bout.
Win
6–0
C.J. Vergara
Decision (split)
Fury FC 3
January 24, 2015
3
5:00
San Antonio, Texas , United States
Flyweight bout.
Win
5–0
Xavier Siller
TKO (punches)
XFL: Rage on the River 5
November 15, 2014
2
1:03
Grant, Oklahoma , United States
Won the XFL Bantamweight Championship.
Win
4–0
Adrian Hudson
TKO (punches)
XFL: Rage on the River 4
July 27, 2014
5
1:01
Tulsa, Oklahoma , United States
Win
3–0
Micah Stockton
TKO (punches)
XFL: Rage on the River 3
April 18, 2014
3
0:44
Tulsa, Oklahoma , United States
Won the XFL Flyweight Championship.
Win
2–0
Marshon Ball
KO (flying knee)
Rumble Time Promotions: Destruction
March 14, 2014
1
1:23
St. Charles, Missouri , United States
Win
1–0
Archie Lowe
KO (flying knee)
C3 Fights: Border Wars 2014
February 8, 2014
2
2:21
Newkirk, Oklahoma , United States
[ 51]
See also
References
^ a b c "Jonathan Martinez | UFC" . UFC.com . 25 October 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2024 .
^ a b MTZ Fight Club [@mtz_fight.club] (June 1, 2023). "(...) Now I'm opening a gym here in Plainview Tx. I want to give something back to my community and offer a safe, free judgement environment for everyone. I also want to share my experience, knowledge and love for the sport with my lovable community" – via Instagram .
^ a b c Homer Marquez (August 27, 2015). "Local fighter to represent Plainview on NBC" . myplainview.com . Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2022 .
^ Tristen Critchfield (July 6, 2020). "Frankie Saenz vs. Jonathan Martinez Added to UFC's Aug. 1 Card in Las Vegas" . sherdog.com.
^ Thomas Gerbasi (November 12, 2024). "Jonathan Martinez's New Chapter" . Ultimate Fighting Championship .
^ "Undefeated Jonathan Martinez gets toughest test yet at LFC 49" . txmma.com . November 25, 2015.
^ Sherdog.com. "Jonathan Martinez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2019-07-13 .
^ Marcel Dorff (2018-10-10). "Jonathan Martinez replaces Gavin Tucker against Andre Soukhamthath during UFC Moncton" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2019-07-13 .
^ "UFC Moncton results: Andre Soukhamthath gets nod over scrappy Jonathan Martinez" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2019-07-13 .
^ Oleś, Bartosz (2018-12-19). "Oficjalnie: Jonathan Martinez vs. Wuliji Buren dodane do rozpiski UFC 234" . InTheCage.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2019-07-13 .
^ "UFC 234: Jonathan Martinez picks up first UFC win with decision over Wuliji Buren" . FanSided . 2019-02-09. Retrieved 2019-07-13 .
^ Dorff, Marcel (29 May 2019). "Team Alpha Male's Pingyuan Liu treft Jonathan Martinez tijdens UFC Sacramento" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-08-16 .
^ Hiergesell, Dan (2019-07-13). "Knockout! Watch Martinez Starch Liu withdraw Vicious Knee At UFC Sacramento" . MMAmania.com . Retrieved 2019-07-14 .
^ a b Tristen Critchfield (2019-07-13). "UFC Sacramento bonuses: Faber, Emmett, Fili, Martinez get $50K performance checks" . sherdog.com . Retrieved 2019-07-13 .
^ Marcel Dorff (2020-01-13). "Andre Ewell vs. Jonathan Martinez completes UFC 247 in Houston" . mmadna.nl . Retrieved 2020-01-13 . (in Dutch)
^ Nolan King (February 10, 2020). "Jonathan Martinez discouraged by controversial UFC 247 decision: 'I've got kids to feed' " . mmajunkie.com.
^ Anderson, Jay (2020-02-08). "UFC 247 Results: After Spending Later Rounds Under Fire, Andre Ewell Wins Split Decision" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2020-02-09 .
^ Mike Heck (February 12, 2020). Martinez: 'I won't fight in Texas anymore' – via YouTube.
^ Heck, Mike (2020-07-05). "Frankie Saenz vs. Jonathan Martinez on tap for UFC event on Aug. 1" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2020-07-06 .
^ Staff (2020-07-31). "UFC on ESPN+ 31 weigh-in results: One fighter misses; Perez vs. Ontiveros canceled" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-07-31 .
^ Vreeland, Daniel (2020-08-01). "UFC Vegas 5 Results: Jonathan Martinez Finishes Frankie Saenz With Knee" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2020-08-02 .
^ Farah Hannoun (2020-10-08). "With Alejandro Perez out, Thomas Almeida now faces Jonathan Martinez at UFC on ESPN+ 38" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-10-08 .
^ Doherty, Dan (2020-10-17). "UFC Fight Island 6 Results: Jonathan Martinez Spoils Return of Thomas Almeida" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2020-10-18 .
^ Boussenaf, Jamal (2020-12-11). "Jonathan Martinez treft Davey Grant op 13 maart" . MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-08-16 .
^ Behunin, Alex (2021-03-13). "UFC Vegas 21 Results: Davey Grant Flattens Jonathan Martinez In Round Three" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-03-14 .
^ Alfredo Zullino (2021-07-01). "Nathaniel Wood returns to action on September 4, faces Jonathan Martinez" . BJ Penn . Retrieved 2021-07-01 .
^ Dorff, Marcel (2021-08-11). "Jonathan Martinez en Marcelo Rojo treffen elkaar op 4 september" . MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-08-11 .
^ Mike Heck (2021-09-03). "Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcelo Rojo scratched from UFC Vegas 36 fight card" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-09-03 .
^ Dorff, Marcel (2021-09-18). "Jonathan Martinez vervangt Kris Moutinho tegen Aaron Phillips tijdens UFC evenement op 23 oktober" . MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-08-16 .
^ Martin, Damon (2021-10-15). "Aaron Phillips out of UFC Vegas 41 due to illness, Jonathan Martinez awaits word on a replacement" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2021-10-16 .
^ Alexander K. Lee (October 20, 2021). "Zviad Lazishvili steps in on 3 days' notice to fight Jonathan Martinez at UFC Vegas 41" . mmafighting.com.
^ Bitter, Shawn (2021-10-23). "UFC Vegas 41 Results: Jonathan Martinez Spoils Zviad Lazishvili's Debut" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-10-23 .
^ Marcel Dorff (2021-12-23). "Alejandro Perez vs. Jonathan Martinez toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 26 februari" . MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-03-27 .
^ Behunin, Alex (2022-02-26). "UFC Vegas 49: Jonathan Martinez Takes Decision Against Alejandro Perez" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2022-02-26 .
^ Behunin, Alex (2022-04-16). "Vince Morales vs. Jonathan Martinez Set For May 21 UFC Event" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2022-04-16 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2022-05-21). "UFC Vegas 55: Jonathan Martinez Chews Up the Legs of Vince Morales En Route to Decision Win" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2022-05-22 .
^ Mike Heck (2022-07-26). "Cub Swanson moves to bantamweight to face Jonathan Martinez at Oct. 15 UFC event" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26 .
^ Dewar, Val (2022-10-15). "UFC Vegas 62: Jonathan Martinez Spoils Cub Swanson's Bantamweight Debut with Leg Kick TKO" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2022-10-16 .
^ a b Staff (2022-10-15). "UFC Fight Night 212 bonuses: A rare feat is worth an extra $50,000" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-10-15 .
^ Dylan Rush (2023-03-11). "UFC Las Vegas: Jonathan Martinez captures decision in wild fight with Said Nurmagomedov" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2023-03-11 .
^ "Jonathan Martinez defeats Said Nurmagomedov" . MMADecisions.com . Retrieved March 14, 2023 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2023-08-01). "UFC: Jonathan Martinez Meets Adrian Yanez on October 14" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2023-08-01 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2023-10-14). "UFC Vegas 81: Jonathan Martinez Chops Down Adrian Yanez, Wins Via Leg Kick TKO" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2023-10-14 .
^ "UFC Fight Night 230 video: Jonathan Martinez chops away for leg kick TKO of Adrian Yanez" . Yahoo Sports . 2023-10-15. Retrieved 2023-10-15 .
^ a b Chris Taylor (2023-10-14). "UFC Vegas 81 Bonus Report: Michel Pereira one of four fighters to take home $50k" . bjpenn.com. Retrieved 2023-10-14 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2024-03-16). "Jose Aldo Set to Return at UFC 301, Faces Jonathan Martinez" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2024-03-16 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2024-05-05). "UFC 301: Jose Aldo Mounts Successful Comeback, Defeats Jonathan Martinez" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2024-05-05 .
^ Mike Bohn (2024-09-02). "Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee joins UFC 309 lineup in New York" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-09-02 .
^ Mathis Desjardins (2024-11-16). "Marcus McGhee Survives Jonathan Martinez Leg Kick Attack at UFC 309, Wins Decision" . cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-11-16 .
^ Caged Minds Combat Sports News (June 29, 2024). Jonathan Martinez | UFC Fighter & Small-Town family man – via YouTube.
^ Sherdog.com. "Jonathan" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2021-03-14 .
External links