Danny Martinez

Daniel Eugene Martinez (born June 14, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the flyweight division of Taura MMA. A professional mixed martial artist since 2006, Martinez has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Absolute Championship Berkut.

Biography

Education Martinez wrestled at Marcos de Niza High School and then attended Pima Community College where he wrestled and trained with the likes of Efraín Escudero, Jamie Varner, and Anthony Birchak.

Early MMA career A native Arizonan, Martinez began his mixed martial arts career in 2006, competing first at lightweight and then featherweight in regional promotions, primarily across the Southwestern United States. Martinez faced former UFC title challenger Mark Hominick in 2008, where Hominick defeated Martinez via unanimous decision. Martinez compiled a professional record of 11–2, before facing Joseph Benavidez in a bantamweight bout on December 3, 2008, at WEC 37. Benavidez defeated Martinez via unanimous decision.

Over the next few years, Martinez dropped in weight class to the flyweight division, and also had a brief stint on The Ultimate Fighter 18. Martinez was defeated in an elimination bout by future finalist, Davey Grant.

Ultimate Fighting Championship On the heels of a 6–1 run for regional promotions, Martinez signed with the UFC in January 2014. He made his promotional debut as a short notice replacement, filling in for Kyoji Horiguchi against Chris Cariaso on February 1, 2014, at UFC 169. Cariaso defeated Martinez via unanimous decision.

Martinez faced Scott Jorgensen on June 7, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 42. Jorgensen defeated Martinez via unanimous decision. Their performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.

Martinez faced promotional newcomer Sirwan Kakai in a bantamweight bout on June 27, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 70. Martinez lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Martinez face Richie Vaculik on November 15, 2015, at UFC 193. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Absolute Championship Berkut Martinez faced Darren Mima on January 13, 2017, at ACB 51. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Amassing a record of 2–2 after his UFC release, Martinez signed a contract with Taura MMA.

Championships and Accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Ali Bagautinov Decision (unanimous) Fight Nights Global 76: Bagautinov vs. Martinez

Krasnodar, Russia Loss

Hiromasa Ougikubo Decision (unanimous) Shooto – Professional Shooto 4/23

Urayasu, Japan Win

Darren Mima Decision (unanimous) |ACB 51: Silva vs. Torgeson

Irvine, California, United States Win

Benjamin Vinson Decision (unanimous) Combate Americas – Combate Ocho

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Richie Vaculik Decision (unanimous) UFC 193

Melbourne, Australia Loss

Sirwan Kakai Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Romero

Hollywood, Florida, United States Loss

Scott Jorgensen Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Loss

Chris Cariaso Decision (unanimous) UFC 169

Newark, New Jersey, United States Win

Ian Dela Cuesta Decision (unanimous) Coalition of Combat: Free 4 All

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Richie Bonafidini TKO (punches) Xplode Fight Series: Disarm

Valley Center, California, United States Win

Nick Boyd TKO (punches) Xplode Fight Series: Brutal Conduct

Valley Center, California, United States Win

Eduardo Espinosa Decision (unanimous) Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico 9: They're Back

Tijuana, Mexico Loss

Jussier Formiga Decision (unanimous) Tachi Palace Fights 7

Lemoore, California, United States Win

Nick Honstein TKO (punches) King of Champions: Night of Champions

Denver, Colorado, United States Loss

Joseph Benavidez Decision (unanimous) WEC 37

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Joey Marimberga Submission (rear-naked choke) Evolution MMA

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Justin Cruz TKO (doctor stoppage) Total Combat 31

Yuma, Arizona, United States Win

Felipe Chavez Submission (guillotine choke) Rage in the Cage 113

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Loss

Adrian Woolley Decision (unanimous) TKO 34

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Johan Croes TKO (punches) TKO 33

Oranjestad, Aruba Win

Justin Goodall KO (punches and elbows) Xtreme FC 3: Rage in the Cage

Tampa, Florida, United States Loss

Mark Hominick Decision (unanimous) TKO 31

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Derithe Harper Decision (split) Rage in the Cage 102

Tucson, Arizona, United States Win

Billy Kidd Submission (rear-naked choke) EC Fights

Monterrey, Mexico Win

Kavi Cermak Decision (unanimous) Rage in the Cage 91

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Yasha Tabrizy TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 89

Fountain Hills, Arizona, United States Win

Daniel Hinsen Submission (guillotine choke) Rage in the Cage 88

Tucson, Arizona, United States Win

Cameron Mayer TKO (injury) Rage in the Cage 85

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Greg Saenz Decision (split) Rage in the Cage 84

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Tim Goodwin TKO (punches) Universal Fight Promotions: Supremacy

Carlsbad, New Mexico, United States