MARTINEZ RETIRES AFTER LOSS IN KOREA

By Patrick Lujan

If it really is true and his word holds up, it’s been a pleasure watching the MMA career of Roque Martinez.

After falling short by decision in his middleweight debut Tuesday night in Korea’s Black Combat, Roque Martinez apparently called it a career by leaving his gloves in the cage.

In an emotional post-fight interview, Martinez let the emotions flow and left his gloves in the cage before walking out, a symbol fighters do in walking away from the sport.

“I hope I made everybody proud. I just wanted to inspire a lot of people and chase your dreams. I’ve been living this life for 19 years, and guys, when you want something, just chase it. Go after everything with all you got and just work hard and be a good person.”

– Roque Martinez’s interview before leaving his gloves behind

If true, Martinez finishes a storied MMA career, which started in 2007 in PXC 1.

Eventually becoming the PXC heavyweight champion, Martinez went on to fight for Deep, Top FC, Rizin and UFC before finishing off his career in Black Combat, where he won the heavyweight title as well.

The 39-year-old fought heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight in just the last 10 months, finishing his pro career at 19-11-2.

The biggest name he fought was Mirko Cro Cop in the star-studded Rizin 13 card in September 2018. Martinez was winning that fight, but a bad cut on his head by a Cro Cop elbow forced the doctor to stop the fight.

Congratulations on your career Champ. You have definitely left an inspirational mark on the island that will last forever.