At UFC Fight Night tomorrow night on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, the main event features “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung facing off against Brian Ortega. However, there is one fighter that will appear on the card that everyone should keep their eyes on, and never take off: Jonathan “Dragon” Martinez.
Martinez (12-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC), who will take on Brazilian sensation Thomas Almeida (22-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) is fighting — maybe not in a sense where he is a household name…yet. He definitely has the mentality and the hardiness of a fighter. He would even go to his friends and tell them to go to the toughest kids at school and tell them that he wants to fight them.
Now, why would anyone want to go and do something like that for?!?
Just because.
He once kicked a schoolmate in the face so hard that he knocked him out. Word spread like wildfire and already, he served notice that nobody should mess with them. Imagine if you will, a student who starts knocking out other students in school, yet has his buddies call them out on his behalf. Ironically strange, isn’t it?
Introverted and self-analyzing, don’t expect him to back down from a challenge, especially if he’s fighting in the UFC. In fact, he may be calling out many fighters and could be ending those fights with more than just kicks. Otherwise, from the conclusion of this staredown, he seems like a nice guy, right?
Interesante combate en peso welter #UFCFightIsland6
Claudio "Hannibal" Silva 🆚 @TheJamesKrause pic.twitter.com/QyltKjvDZL
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) October 16, 2020
Fresh off a win against Frankie Saenz due to a flying knee and ground and pound in the third round, he looks to increase his win streak and his overall value in the UFC. Whereas Almeida looks to stop a two-fight skid. With Martinez’s story well known to everyone, it looks like this is the right realm for him to be a part of. The stories of his schoolyard tactics aren’t etched in stone as they are in the souls he has victimized, but the Different Breed MMA product has this in his veins. All he needs to do is capitalize on his credibility and beat Almeida to climb up the 145-lb ladder and take further advantage of his opportunities, whoever he faces.
UFC Fight Night 180 will air at 6 PM ET with preliminary matchups beginning at 4 PM ET on ESPN+ inside the deadliest enclosure in MMA…The Octagon!
