In the unpredictable world of mixed martial arts, every fighter faces challenges that can either break them or make them smile.
David Martinez, widely known as the "Smiling Assassin," recently experienced a rollercoaster of events that showcased his resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Martinez's most recent bout at Brave Combat Federation 76 in Jakarta, Indonesia, left fans and experts alike questioning why on earth he would take that fight. With an unexpected turn of events, Martinez experienced a rip off worse than buying a wrist band on a Bali beach, when he lost a controversial buggy choke defeat against Dagestani fighter Murad Guseinov. The bout was marred by a series of questionable decisions by the referee, creating a chaotic atmosphere for the raw and almost minute old Indonesian sport commission. David Martinez's attempt at a routine slam whilst in the gimmick heavy ‘buggy choke’ was met with a shocking and objectively wrong disapproval. The confusion escalated when the referee incorrectly stopped the fight based on Guseinov's claim that Martinez was in act unconscious. The subsequent restart in the choke and the premature halt further highlighted the unfortunate officiating issues.
In an exclusive interview with Australian MMA, Martinez shed light on the buggy choke, a relatively new submission gaining popularity in MMA.
“So when he first went for it, I was surprised. I was like, “oh”, the first defence I know of is to get your forearm in front of their throat, lift them up, and then [slam] them on their head. That, to me, is priority defence, but the ref wasn't a big fan of that, actually." - David Martinez
He emphasised the gimmicky nature of the technique while acknowledging its effectiveness, referencing its success in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments. The post-fight aftermath revealed the lack of a rules meeting and raised questions about the jurisdiction under which the bout was conducted. Martinez's team promptly initiated an appeal, leading to the no contest decision. Despite the setback, Martinez's fighting spirit remains unbroken.
He has swiftly accepted a title fight on Diamondback Fight Series bout against the seasoned Antonio "The Spartan" Caruso. Caruso, a veteran with experience in ONE FC and PFL, offers Martinez an opportunity to showcase his skills on a broader stage. As Martinez navigates the twists and turns of his MMA journey, his story serves as a testament to the unpredictability, his ability to stay active and the fact that beyond all else he will always do it with a smiles.
Check out the full interview here
