Martinez began training in mixed martial arts at the age of 19 and made his professional debut in 2003 for the WEC. Martinez fought exclusively for the promotion until 2006.
Palace Fighting Championship and Tachi Palace Fights
From 2007 to 2014, Martinez fought mainly for Palace Fighting Championship, and after the organization's end, Tachi Palace Fights. Both organizations held most of their events in Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino at Martinez's hometown in Lemoore, California. Martinez fought for PFC Lightweight Championship on March 22, 2007 at PFC 2 against Shad Smith. He lost via submission due to a guillotine choke in the third round. Martinez was scheduled to rematch Shad Smith on October 18, 2007 at PFC 4 for the PFC Lightweight Championship. However, Smith was forced to pull out of the bout after being medically suspended by CSAC. Martinez was rescheduled to face Brandon Jinnies at the same event for the PFC Interim Lightweight Championship. He won via TKO early in the first round and became the PFC interim lightweight title holder. Once again, Martinez fought for the PFC Lightweight Championship on January 17, 2008 at PFC 6 against Diego Saraiva and was defeated via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round. Martinez faced David Mitchell on July 9, 2010 at TPF 5: Stars and Strikes for the welterweight title. He lost via technical submission due to a triangle choke early in the first round. Martinez faced Christos Giagos on August 22, 2013 at for the vacant TPF Lightweight Championship. Martinez defeated Giagos via submission due to a guillotine choke in the first round and became the new Lightweight Champion. Martinez also faced Chris Culley on February 6, 2014 at for the vacant TPF Featherweight Championship. He won via submission due to an anaconda choke in the first round and became the only fighter to hold two TPF belts simultaneously.
Bellator MMA
Martinez made his promotional debut on October 4, 2013 at Bellator 102 against Brandon Girtz. He lost via submission due to an armbar early in the first round. Martinez next faced Josh Smith on April 11, 2014 at Bellator 116. He won via submission due to a guillotine choke at 3:50 of round one. In his third fight within the promotion, Martinez faced Bubba Jenkins at Bellator 122 on July 25, 2014. He lost the fight via first-round TKO. Martinez faced Julio Cesar Neves on September 19, 2014 at Bellator 125. He lost via TKO in the first round.
Personal life
Martinez, who is married, has eight children and his brother, Andrew "Mickey" Martinez, is also a professional mixed martial artist who has competed for Tachi Palace Fights. Mickey competes in the Heavyweight division.
