Ryan Martinez

Ryan Martinez (born August 27, 1982) is an American retired mixed martial artist. A professional from 2009 until 2014, he competed for Bellator and ProElite.

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.

Mixed martial arts career

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, 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.

Championships and accomplishments Bellator Fighting Championships Bellator 2013 Summer Series Heavyweight Tournament Runner-Up

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Nick Rossborough TKO (arm injury) Bellator 126

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Martinez tore his left bicep in round one. Loss

Lavar Johnson TKO (punches) Bellator 111

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Bellator Season 10 Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal. Loss

Vitaly Minakov TKO (punches) Bellator 97

Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States Bellator 2013 Summer Series Heavyweight Tournament Final. Win

Rich Hale KO (punches) Bellator 96

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Bellator 2013 Summer Series Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. Win

Travis Wiuff KO (punches) Bellator 93

Lewiston, Maine, United States Win

Manny Lara Decision (majority) Bellator 75

Hammond, Indiana, United States Loss

Mike Wessel Decision (split) Bellator 73

Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, United States Win

Cody Griffin Decision (unanimous) ProElite 3: Da Spyder vs. Minowaman

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States ProElite Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. Win

Mark Ellis Decision (unanimous) ProElite 2: Big Guns

Moline, Illinois, United States ProElite Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal. Win

Brandon Endriss Technical submission (guillotine choke) ROF 41: Bragging Rights

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Richard White TKO (submission to punches) Fight To Win: Outlaws

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Jeremiah Martinez TKO (punches) Fight To Win: Mortal Combat

Denver, Colorado, United States Loss

Derrick Lewis TKO (punches) Fight to Win/King of Champions: Worlds Collide

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Justyn Riley KO (punch) Fight To Win: War

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Vernon Lewis TKO (punches) Fight To Win: Phenoms

Denver, Colorado, United States Mixed martial arts amateur record Win

Omar Belal KO (suplex and punches) RMBB: MMA Madness

Sheridan, Colorado, United States Win

Donnie Bell TKO (punches) RMBB: Battle in the Cage: Total Domination

Sheridan, Colorado, United States Win

Emanuel Martinez TKO (punches) RMBB: Baddest of the Bad

Sheridan, Colorado, United States Win

Shawn Martin TKO (punches) RMBB: Battle of the Belts

Sheridan, Colorado, United States