MMA/Boxing
MARTINEZ DROPPING TO 185 IN NEXT FIGHT
Heavyweight champ to fight in middleweight
By Patrick Lujan
MMA star Roque Martinez has set his sights at yet another milestone he has never reached.
The long-time ‘heavyweight champ’ is dipping to middleweight (185 lbs.) for his next fight, after tasting light heavyweight for the first and only time in December 2024.
Martinez once fought at the heavyweight peak of 265-lbs. Dropping down to middleweight is almost unheard of.
“Yup 185!,” Martinez confirmed after announcing his next fight in Korea on May 6. “My cut to LHW (205) was a fairly easy one and after my last fight in December, I did a good job keeping the weight off. The promotion got wind of my interest in competing at 185 so they gave me an offer to fight a good opponent at that weight class. Of course I accepted.”
Martinez has been on a fitness/cardio craze over the most part of the last year. With his new fitness journey that has seen pounds drop off like never before, he put off retiring from the fight game to venture into new weight territory.
“I was offered and committed to the fight in the middle of February but was already considering the new weight class prior to that.
“For me, I just love the extra challenges. It feels great and healthier being at a lower weight. Also, aside from fighting I got into endurance racing (HYROX) and being at a lower weight also helps my performance with that as well.”
Martinez set his sights of hanging up the gloves at the end of 2024, but with his newfound physical condition, the pursuit of more combative action rolls on.
“The body feels great! My cardio has never been better. I’m feeling faster, I feel strong and explosive. I’ve definitely unlocked a whole new level of my physical and athletic capabilities – through hard work of course.”
The mental portion of the process has been just as smooth, according to the 39-year-old with a 19-10 pro record.
“I’ve been disciplined with my diet and staying the course to make the new weight class. Overall, I truly enjoy the process so it makes it that much easier for me.”