Interviews/Photos

The Story of MMA Fighter Rad Martinez and His Promise

July 6th, 2011|

On April 1, 1991, Rad’s father, Richard Martinez, was thrown from his vehicle in an accident in which Richard suffered irreversible brain damage. The traumatic brain injury left Richard in a catatonic state, in which he would have to receive around-the-clock assistance for the simplest tasks. And with the death of Rad’s grandmother, and his brother having the full-time obligations of a family of his own, Rad made a promise to himself and his family to sacrifice a majority of his time to look after his father. With this full-time obligation, Rad finds it difficult to take the time to do what he loves the most, his release: Mixed Martial Arts.

The time that most elite MMA fighters need to train and hone the skills necessary for competition is about 6 to 8 hours per day, almost triple the time that Martinez can donate to the sport. “I’m lucky if I can get away for more than a couple hours,” says Martinez, whose dream is to reach the UFC and compete with the world’s greatest in the lightweight division. Yet his family obligations restrain what could be a very illustrious MMA career.

Traumatic episodes aside, does Rad Martinez even have the skills necessary to be a top level mixed martial artist. Rad is a former Division-I All-American wrestler at Clarion University. In eleven fights Martinez has racked up an eight-fight win streak, nine wins total, four of them coming by technical knockout. With a strong wrestling base, tremendous upside, as well as a die-hard mentality and spirit, who wouldn’t expect Rad Martinez to be a rising star in the world’s fastest growing sport? Martinez is not just an ESPN: “Outside the Lines” exclusive. He is a passionate warrior. Not only is Rad Martinez holding a completely overwhelming promise, but he shows promise as well. Who knows? Maybe we will see him battling it out for the UFC lightweight title against friend and former teammate at Clarion University, Frankie Edgar. The segment from ESPN is below:

Affliction’s Randy Couture predicts UFC 132 Cruz vs Faber

July 1st, 2011|

Kimbo Slice making pro-boxing debut Aug 13th

June 30th, 2011|

Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson will make his pro-boxing debut on Aug. 13, officials announced.

He’ll headline a four-round main event at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.

Neither an opponent nor broadcast details have not been announced for the show, which Gary Shaw Productions and Tony Holden Promotions is producing.

“Even in his losses, ‘Kimbo’ brought a level of excitement that few fighters can generate,” Shaw stated. “He is a genuine personality with unbelievable strength and character, and we’re excited about his prospects in boxing.

“The minute he steps in the ring, he’ll be one of the most recognizable and talked-about fighters in the sport, and his fans around the world will once again feel the excitement.”

Read more here.

Dana White: Tito is absolutely done if he loses

June 30th, 2011|

Dana White: “UFC is not a monopoly”

June 21st, 2011|

Prior to the UFC’s purchase of Strikeforce this past March, most enthusiasts had already believed the UFC was monopolizing the sport of mixed martial arts. The watershed acquisition of their stateside rivals simply solidified their status as the only show in town.

Although the company has basically become synonymous with MMA over the past several years, UFC president Dana White denies controlling the entire market and claims there’s plenty to go around. So don’t hate on him or his organization just because they’re the cream of the crop.

“People always say ‘monopoly’. The people who say that don’t know enough about the sport,” White told USAToday. “If you go state to state and called the athletic commission in every state where we’re sanctioned and ask them how many MMA events were held there this year and how many times did the UFC come, the answer is going to be once or zero.

“We’re not a monopoly. We’re just the best. We do what we do the best.”

There is no denying the UFC is the planet’s premier mixed martial arts promotion. One of the benefits to donning that moniker is being able to pay their independent contractors whatever they feel is appropriate.

Like in any other successful business, employee salaries are based on contributions to the company and performance. Obviously, a receptionist won’t garner as much dough as the CEO.

Furthermore, the owners always pocket the largest amount of money because they have risked the most. That is simply Business 101. Now, Business 102 focuses on expansion and the benefits that come along with it.

“The bigger the sport gets, the more and more money these guys make,” White shared. “We don’t talk a lot about money, but believe me when I tell you there’s a lot of money. And these guys are making a lot of money. Guys have become big stars.

“You have the guys who make millions of dollars, you’ve got the guys who make hundreds of thousands of dollars, and you’ve got the guys who are working their way up.”

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