The doctor is in. UFC newcomer David Martinez couldn’t have delivered a more surgical performance than he did in his debut.
It was a home game at UFC Mexico City for the Coyoacán-native, a 11-1 bantamweight and former champion in Combate Global where he once won three fights just hours apart.
Outside of the Octagon, Martinez works as an orthopedic surgeon, UFC commentator Jon Anik taking note of how vigilant his eyes are when it comes to MMA.
Fighting on the same card as countryman Brandon Moreno, David Martinez entered his first UFC bout as a -550 betting favorite against Brazil’s Saimon Oliveira. And man, did he look the part.
A prolific finisher with some serious knockout power, it wouldn’t take long for ‘The Black Spartan’ to find the kill-shot.
David Martinez lays out opponent in Mexico City
Martinez started throwing leg kicks early into round 1. Martinez set up his kicks well, hitting Oliveira from the outside. Oliveira landed clean once but not that it bothered Martinez.
Martinez continued to stalk Oliveira on the feet, earning his respect with the heat he was putting on his punches. Oliveira ate more kicks in the stand-up.
Four minutes into the round, Oliveira stepped in with a left hand as Martinez timed a beautiful right hand counter to rock the Brazilian.
Martinez chased the finish with a left hook and then a knee to knock Oliveira down.
Martinez swarmed Oliveira on the ground, pummeling away with hammerfists for the finish.
David Martinez’s double-life as a surgeon
As we mentioned previously, when he’s not KO’ing his opponents in the cage, David Martinez is working as an orthopedic surgeon.
“It’s difficult to balance both of these careers,” Martinez told MMA Knockout.
“They both take up a lot of my time but with discipline, and reworking your schedule, you can do whatever you set your mind to.”