David Martinez — david martinez frustrates Marlon Vera with fast hands, quick movement to win co-main event
david martinez continued his march up the bantamweight rankings with a unanimous decision win over Marlon “Chito” Vera in the UFC Mexico co-main event. All three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Martinez after three hard-fought rounds.
Early tactics and fast hands
Martinez recognized the fight-ending power Vera possessed and used speed and precision to avoid it. He was fast on his feet and quick with his hands, constantly popping Vera with combinations and then circling away before Vera could find much reprieve. The fast hands were on display early and often as Martinez popped Vera with several stinging shots while the former bantamweight title challenger marched forward.
Canvas work and first-round damage
Martinez caught a kick and put Vera on the canvas, unloading nasty ground strikes before the first round came to a close. When Martinez attacked he was accurate and powerful, then circling away so Vera had little chance to counter. Martinez dug to the body and then went back up top, snapping Vera’s head back with several shots.
Jason Parillo urges urgency
With five minutes remaining in the fight, Vera’s coach Jason Parillo implored his fighter to “hit the gas and go for broke” because there was little chance he would win a decision. That plea pushed Vera to try closing distance, pressing forward and attempting to turn the bout into a late finish.
Third round and late rally
Martinez showed exceptional movement as the fight progressed, darting in and out and landing two- and three-punch combinations before moving away. Vera managed another head kick that landed with more impact, but Martinez walked through it and scored another takedown; Vera slipped free to get back to his feet but could not capitalize before that round ended. Martinez was noticeably slower in the third round, yet Vera was unable to do real damage and remained on the receiving end of a few counter punches while pressing for a knockout and digging to the body with stiff strikes. Just before time expired Vera opened up with a barrage that appeared to hurt Martinez, but Martinez remained elusive, firing back and moving away until the final horn.
Decision and implications
When it was over all three judges had the fight 29-28 for Martinez, who improved to 3-0 in the UFC. Martinez’s victory continued his winning ways and left him looking like a contender worth watching; he will undoubtedly seek an even higher-ranked opponent in his next outing. For Vera, the loss marked his third straight defeats, the longest losing streak of his career.
Martinez on the win
After the fight Martinez said about Vera, “He’s a really hard fighter. He hits really hard. I’m here to represent and I’m really happy. This is the biggest mixed martial arts organization in the world … whoever they give me, I’m going to be ready. ”
Other notes from the night
The event also featured other items of interest: Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas face off at RAF 6; there were full fight video highlights for Brandon Moreno vs. Lone’er Kavanagh from the UFC Mexico main event; and commentary that David Martinez beat Marlon Vera at UFC Mexico, but his performance still left some people wanting more. King Green put a beatdown on Daniel Zellhuber and referee Herb Dean didn’t help the situation at UFC Mexico on Saturday.
Martinez’s mix of speed, accuracy and composure under pressure earned him the unanimous decision and another step up the bantamweight ladder, while Vera must regroup after his third straight loss.
