MARTINEZ LOSES IN RIZIN RETURN

By Patrick Lujan

37-year-old Roque Martinez suffered a unanimous decision loss to 25-year-old Tsuyoshi Sudario on Saturday in RIZIN FF – LANDMARK VOL. 5.

The taller Sudario delivered a masterful performance against Guam’s best heavyweight, easily controlling the stand up and ground games.

Martinez was making his first fight under the Rizin banner after a three-fight stint in the UFC. His fight experience wasn’t enough against a very sharp and confident Sudario, who is under the tutelage of legend and Guam friend Enson Inoue, who was at his corner.

1st round

Sudario kept his distance with solid leg kicks and jabs that kept Martinez at bay. Guam’s champ couldn’t close the gap, despite being the aggressor. Sudario was moving fluidly on defense, avoiding any onslaught by Martinez. Meanwhile, he delivered timely jabs and even spinning kicks to the body before ending the final two minutes of the round on top control, dropping elbows before the bell sounded. A series of elbows before the bell opened a gash above Martinez’s left eye.

2nd round

The second frame was similar to the first, but a solid right hand rocked Martinez that led to a take down with still over three minutes to go. Sudario sustained the top position the rest of the way, methodically picking apart Martinez with solid elbows against the cage along with knees to the body and a final foot stomp for good measure as the second round was clearly won.

3rd round

Knowing he was down 2-0, Martinez pressed the pace at the start of the final round, but Sudario wanted none of that, taking down Guam’s fighter just seconds into the round with a double-leg. Martinez was on his back the rest of the way as Sudario used his larger frame to control the fight on the ground until the end.

Rough year for Guam…so far!

It has been a rough year for Guam MMA fighters in the early going of 2023. Losses by Trevin Jones (UFC), Brogan Walker (UFC), Kyle Aguon (Rizin), Scotty Eclavea and Peter Benavente (Beatdown) and now Martinez in Rizin has put the Guam fighters on a losing skid never experienced before.

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