By Robert Balajadia

Roque Martinez weighing in for his PXC fight against Mylo Lassiter earlier in March of 2013. (GSPN file photo)

Former PXC Heavyweight Champion Roque Martinez suffered a gruesome injury while playing in the MFL in March of 2013, just two days after his last PXC fight where he defeated Mylo Lassiter by unanimous decision.

Martinez  has had surgery since then and is on the recovery trail to get back to MMA form.

“I was hit low while running the ball and the hit caused a break in my fibula and tears in my ankle. I had my first surgery a couple of days after the initial injury, however due to complications, I recently needed another surgery in November to fix it correctly,” said Martinez upon suffering the injury.

Martinez currently has seven screws and a plate in his ankle/lower leg now. He had to travel to Seattle to undergo his second surgery.

“This was by far the most significant injury I’ve ever had,” said the former champ. “Thanks to Swedish medical in Seattle, [the ankle/lower leg] was put together to be stronger than before the injury,” he added.

Photos from Martinez’ surgically repaired ankle. (photos curtsey of Martinez’ Facebook)

While the MMA world is awaiting his return, Martinez has not let the ankle completely stop him from training. He keeps busy doing upper body workouts and low impact stationary cycling to keep himself in shape.

Soon Martinez will be able to walk without crutches, but will remain in an air cast for another four weeks.

Martinez did shed some light on his return to MMA saying, “The doctors should give me clearance to compete in approximately six months from the time of surgery, which would be sometime over summer.”

The hardcore Seattle Seahawks fan has reflected during the recovery process and his approach could not be anymore optimistic.

“All in all, this injury might have been a good thing as I am now hungrier than ever to succeed in MMA. I’m looking at it as a blessing to a new start of my MMA career.”