Visalia's Matthew "Wild Child" Martinez ready to make a statement at 559 Fights 100

Matthew Martinez, 559 Fights 93 - Roy Walker

It is fight week in the Valley! 559 Fights 100 is here and set to go from the Visalia Convention Center Saturday September 16th, 2023. The card has six titles on the line, and is headlined by the 559 Fights Bantamweight Championship. 559 Fights 100 is stacked, not only with title fights but with a long list of top amateur fighters in our area.

One of those fighters on Saturday nights card is Visalia's (2-1) Matthew "Wild Child" Martinez. The El Diamante High School graduate who was born and raised in Visalia, Ca went 2-1 in 2022. Martinez has stepped in on short notice to compete at 559 Fights 100. I caught up with Martinez prior to his fight, I started by asking how life has been treating him? He replied,

"I've been well man. I really can't complain, I'm breathing and get the opportunity to do what I love everyday. Not only do I get to train but I have brothers beside me on the same path who genuinely push me to reach that better version of myself day in and day out, constantly forcing me to level up. The only thing I wish to change about my life is the ability to provide for my loved ones and change the lives of those around me who deserve it most. I plan on doing just that with my fighting career."

Martinez went 2-1 to start his amateur MMA career in 2022, taking his first fight while preparing on his own with no gym or coach. I asked him what got him into MMA in the first place? He explained,

"What got me into MMA was my concern with not knowing what I'm fully capable of as far as my physicality's go. The fear of growing old and saying “I wish I would have given it a shot”. Now I'm here and happy I took that 1st fight with Valley Fight Series as an independent fighter with no gym or coach in my corner. I threw myself in the fire with little to no experience to see if I come out defeated or stronger than ever before. I needed assurance that this path is the one I want to walk. What better way to know the answer than to walk in blind and see if my spirit can manage to not be broken. Sure enough I came out victorious and my belief in myself was validated."

Mixed Martial Arts isn't the only art that the "Wild Child" is involved in. Martinez also has experience in music, putting together some impressive rap music and videos in the past. Although his main focus is MMA now, I asked if music was just on the back burner for now? he replied,

"Music was fun but I came to the realization that for the most part whether it’s music or you just trying to give advice or insight, nobody really cares what you have to say until you're a somebody. I plan on making a name for myself in the fight world which will inevitably make people interested in whatever else I do."

Martinez now trains with MMA veteran Darren Crisp and Crisp's Kickboxing, Muay Thai & MMA in Visalia. He has been doing so since his second amateur fight, I asked how he connected with "DC"? he said,

"I came across Crisp kickboxing after my first fight, I had my buddy Alex reach out to Darren for me. Alex insisted I get in there and continue to develop myself as a fighter under his gym. Little did I know he was pointing me in the direction I needed all along. Deciding to pick Crisp MMA as my primary gym was the best decision I've made for my fight career and I stand by that whole heartedly."

Matthew Martinez, 559 Fights 93 - Roy Walker

Martinez last saw action at 559 Fights 93 in December of last year, where he picked up a tko win versus a dangerous ground opponent. I asked how he felt coming out of that fight? he explained,

"Yeah, my debut fight for 559 Fights was definitely a test of my durability as a fighter. Especially considering that he was highly skilled in an area I lacked heavily in at the time. Facing adversity like that for my 559 fights debut was a blessing in disguise. Ever since then I have been heavy at work shaping my ground game and bjj as a whole. I refuse to be caught lacking in that area again, or any for that matter."

The "Wild Child" takes on Clovis's Christopher Paez out of Dethrone MMA, a featherweight title contender with a 3-2 record. I asked Martinez what he knew about his opponent? he responded,

"I don’t know much about him except that he has a wrestling background, as do I. I just want him to know my spirit can't be broken. I want him to doubt me as a last minute fight."

Martinez plans to stick around the amateur MMA scene until the time feels right saying,

"As for the future, I look to continue to make statements at 559 fights. Once I feel like I've made my point here in the amateur world of MMA. I will be happily moving up to deadlier competition."

Matthew Martinez, 559 Fights 93 - Roy Walker

I asked Martinez if there was anyone he wanted to thank or shout out? he finished with,

"I don’t have the biggest fan base nor following, but for whoever is reading this just know that you won’t forget my name. I'm here to stay and stick around, and continue to make statements. Huge thank you to Crisp MMA and everyone in our gym, my training partners help me keep my eyes on the prize as they constantly do the same. Shoutout to my mom for supporting my dreams as well because what mother wants their son to get punched for a living? It’s my mission to make my family and bloodline proud though. I will do just that."

559 Fights 100 goes down Saturday, September 16th 2023 from the Visalia Convention Center in Visalia, Ca. Tickets available now at www.eventbrite.com/e/559-fights-100-tickets-677833116097?aff=erelexpmlt

559 Fights 100 card:

559 Fights Bantamweight Championship Champion (3-1) Isaiah Munoz vs (3-0) Gabriel Reyes

559 Fights & CAMO State Flyweight Championship Champion (5-1) Javier Torres vs (4-0) Robert Lopez

559 Fights Cruiserweight Championship (3-0) Kyle Mask vs (2-2) Kaleo Lagapa

559 Fights Middleweight Championship (3-3) Pedro Trujillo vs (4-5) Jeramy Titsworth

559 Fights Featherweight Championship (5-3) Joshua Simpson vs (3-0) Raul Valdovinos

559 Fights Lightweight Grappling Championship Mariano Aldama vs Elijah Valdivia

(2-0) Francisco Hurtado vs (0-0) Alfonso Valles

(3-2) Christopher Paez vs (2-1) Matthew Martinez

(1-0) Fabian Maldonado vs (2-0) Jose Estrada

(1-1) Abraham Del Toro vs (1-1) Derian Perez

(2-0) Adrian Reyes Sarmiento vs (1-0) Jonathan Diaz

(0-0) Salvador Aceves vs (0-2) Logan Yoder

(1-2) Gabriel Rocha vs (!-1) Marc Bibiano

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By: Daniel "Trip" Quintana www.noweakshitever.com