It’s a big fight for the division, but with each 135-pounder not exactly lighting up social media with their daily exploits, it’s one flying under the radar a little bit, which, not surprisingly, is just fine with Martinez.
“I just pretty much worry about myself,” he said. “Once a name comes up, I start looking a little bit, but I don’t watch much; I just focus on myself to get better.”
MORE FIGHT NIGHT: Merab Dvalishvili Knows This Fight Means More
So he doesn’t have Nurmagomedov’s picture on the mirror to look at first thing in the morning?
“No,” Martinez laughs. “I guess he’s a quiet guy like me.”
He is, but like Nurmagomedov, Martinez’ performances speak volumes, none louder than his stoppage of Swanson, which saw him rise to the occasion in the biggest fight of his career. And no, the extra attention didn’t bother him.