
By Robert Balajadia
The champ is back!
After announcing retirement over nine months ago, heavyweight Roque Martinez made his return to MMA in a big way. Martinez traveled to Japan over the weekend where he faced off against Jaideep Singh for Japan Deep Imact’s megaton division title.
Martinez walked away a unanimous decision victory and nearly put away the taller Singh in the final round to claim the title.
“There was a little bit of cage rust, but I could have performed better. I should have been able to put him away in the final round, but he retreated and didn’t want to engage,” said Martinez.
Martinez gave credit to him camp, who even brought in special training with a taller kick-boxer to better prepare for his fight against Singh. Although, a secret to his success was having his biggest fan there. Standing on the sidelines was his mother Odessa, which has become a mainstay for Martinez in his fighting career no matter where he’s fighting
“It’s huge to have her there. I’m really close with my mom and it makes a big difference knowing someone like her has her back, I love it.”
Martinez gained confidence in his ability to return to MMA after performing at high levels in his off-time workouts.
“I felt like I still have so much left to offer and that maybe it wasn’t time to hang it up,” said Roque on his imminent return. “I was always on the fence about it, but when Deep Impact offered me a title shot I felt that I couldn’t turn it down.”
Rizin Fighting Federation’s Sakakibara Nobuyuki met with Martinez after the fight and stated how they want to put him on their event.
“Rizin is a huge production and I know they promote their fighters like superstars,” said Martinez of the opportunity.
With UFC Japan also setting up in September, Martinez also explained that there lies another big chance if he can catch the UFC’s radar.


GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
15th
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
3×3 HOOPS REPEAT AS GOLDEN BOYS

Basketball
RAPADAS LEADS WILD COUGAR COMEBACK

Baseball
GUAM HOSTS KIWIS IN U15 BASEBALL

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
SHARKS FEND OFF DOLPHINS IN GIRLS HOOPS
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs