Nationality American Name Ryan Martinez | Reach 72 in (183 cm) Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | |
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Weight 257 lb (117 kg; 18.4 st) Division Heavyweight (265 lb)Super Heavyweight (no limit) | ||
Mma heavyweight ryan martinez returns to training following lengthy injury
Ryan Martinez (born August 27, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in Bellator's Heavyweight division.
Contents
- Mma heavyweight ryan martinez returns to training following lengthy injury
- B t g o g by the grace of god ryan martinez
- Background
- Early career
- ProElite
- Bellator Fighting Championships
- Championships and accomplishments
- References
B t g o g by the grace of god ryan martinez
Background
Martinez was born in Greeley, Colorado. He grew up wrestling and had a promising future, being a top ranked wrestler in the state of Colorado (third in the country as a senior) while at Greeley West High School, and a two-time All-American. The young Martinez was offered full-scholarships from many different colleges, but began getting involved with drugs and alcohol, and eventually dropped out of high school as he began dealing drugs.
Martinez was addicted to methamphetamines and was arrested once for drug trafficking. He spent three and a half years in prison and two years on parole. The time in prison was especially hard on Martinez because he missed the first two years of his daughter Taylor's life.
After his time in prison, he got a job as an ironworker and started to train MMA, which helped him to overcome his past.
Early career
After a successful amateur career, Martinez began as a professional in 2010. He fought mainly for the Colorado-based promotion Fight To Win. With a MMA record of 5–1, he signed with ProElite.
ProElite
Martinez made his debut against former NCAA division I national wrestling champion Mark Ellis on November 5, 2011 in the opening round of the heavyweight tournament. He won via unanimous decision and advanced to the semifinal.
In the semifinal on January 21, 2012, Martinez faced Cody Griffin. He won via unanimous decision.
Martinez was expected to face Richard Odoms in the finals, but in early 2012 ProElite has entered into a partnership with DREAM, which has gone out of business soon after. Martinez then signed with Bellator.
Bellator Fighting Championships
Martinez made his debut against Mike Wessel on August 24, 2012 at Bellator 73. He lost via split decision (29-28 Wessel, 30-27 Martinez, 29-28 Wessel).
Martinez faced Manny Lara on October 5, 2012 at Bellator 75. He won via majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28).
Martinez faced Travis Wiuff on March 21, 2013 at Bellator 93. He won via knockout in the very first round.
In June 2013, Martinez entered the Bellator Summer Series Heavyweight tournament as an injury replacement for Vinicius Queiroz. He faced Rich Hale in the opening round at Bellator 96 and won via knockout in the first round.
Martinez faced Vitaly Minakov in the finals on July 31, 2013 at Bellator 97. He lost via TKO in the third round.
Martinez then fought Lavar Johnson in the quarterfinals of Bellator's Season Ten Heavyweight tournament at Bellator 111. He lost via TKO in the first round.
Martinez faced Nick Rossborough on September 26, 2014 at Bellator 126. He lost the fight via TKO due to injury after tearing his left bicep in the first round.