{{short description|Guamanian mixed martial arts fighter}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Roque Martinez | image = | image_size = | nickname = Champ | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|03|04}} | birth_place = Tamuning, Guam | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | residence = | nationality = | height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}} | weight_lb = 254 | weight_class = Heavyweight<br>Light Heavyweight | reach = 72 in<ref name="UFC Stats">{{cite web|title=Stats {{!}} UFC|url=http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/2c5a0b8317f8f27a|access-date=2020-10-04|website=ufcstats.com}}</ref> | style = | stance = | fighting_out_of = Tamuning, Guam | team = Spike 22 | years_active = 2007–2025 | kickbox_win = | kickbox_kowin = | kickbox_loss = | kickbox_koloss = | kickbox_draw = | kickbox_nc = | mma_kowin = 8 | mma_subwin = 4 | mma_decwin = 7 | mma_koloss = 2 | mma_subloss = 2 | mma_decloss = 7 | mma_draw = 2 | mma_nc = | sherdog = 22115 | footnotes = | updated = }} '''Roque Martinez''' (born March 4, 1986) is a retired Chamorro mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight division. He has formerly competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Rizin Fighting Federation.<ref>{{cite web|title=MMA champ Roque Martinez retires after loss in Korea|url=https://www.guampdn.com/sports/mma-champ-roque-martinez-retires-after-loss-in-korea/article_6897d9ef-26ca-49dd-af0d-64ff1eba0bd1.html|access-date=2025-05-28|website=Pacific Daily News|date=2025-05-07|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Background== Born and raised on Guam until 12 years old, Martinez went to high school in Washington state. Along with two close friend, he signed up for fighting classes for fun. With time, the other two fell out of the sport, but Martinez kept fighting, until at the age of 27, he had first professional fight on Guam.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wen|first=Anne|title=After UFC loss, Roque Martinez focuses on mental training|url=https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/local/2020/11/26/roque-martinez-guam-ufc-fight-loss-dontale-mayes/6418002002/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Pacific Daily News|date=26 November 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Mixed martial arts career==
===Early career=== Martinez compiled a 9–3–2 record on the regional Guamanian and Asian scene, with his most notable bout being a victory against Jung Da Un.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roque Martinez {{!}} MMA Fighter Page|url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/11092-roque-martinez|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Tapology|language=en}}</ref>
=== Rizin Fighting Federation. === Martinez won the DEEP Megatonweight Championship against Jaideep Singh at Deep Cage Impact 2017: At Korakuen Hall on July 15, 2017. He won the bout and title via unanimous decision.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|author=Staff reports|title=Roque Martinez to fight in Rizin 12|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2018/07/20/roque-martinez-fight-rizin-12/805200002/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}</ref>
The next bout was against Jérôme Le Banner at Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round – Part 2 on October 15, 2017. He won the bout via a first round scarf hold.<ref>{{cite web|last=Post|first=Justin Bennett {{!}} For The Guam Daily|title=Martinez is Guam's Rizin son|url=https://www.postguam.com/sports/local/martinez-is-guams-rizin-son/article_b30cc432-b3c0-11e7-beac-d38d3c3005e1.html|access-date=2021-06-16|website=The Guam Daily Post|date=19 October 2017 |language=en}}</ref>
Martinez faced Kiyoshi Kuwabara at Rizin 12 on August 12, 2018. He won the bout via TKO in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|author=Daily Post Staff|title=Roque Martinez defeats Kiyoshi Kuwabara via 1st-round TKO|url=https://www.postguam.com/sports/local/roque-martinez-defeats-kiyoshi-kuwabara-via-1st-round-tko/article_1f218ede-9e0b-11e8-a941-bf1e68189865.html|access-date=2021-06-16|website=The Guam Daily Post|date=12 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
Martinez faced Mirko Cro Cop at Rizin 13 on September 30, 2018. He lost the bout after Cro Cop opened a cut on Roque's forehead and the ring doctor stopped the bout.<ref>{{cite web|date=2018-09-30|title=Mirko Cro Cop extends winning streak with slashing elbow stoppage at Rizin FF 13|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2018/09/mirko-cro-cop-wins-at-rizin-ff-13-elbow-stoppage-tko|access-date=2021-06-16|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}}</ref>
The first title defense of the DEEP Megatonweight Championship came against Ryo Sakai at DEEP 88 Impact on March 9, 2019. He won the bout via TKO at the end of the first round.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brandon Sibcy|title=Roque Martinez on RIZIN 16 and his future: "It comes down to this... It comes down to this fight"|url=https://thebodylockmma.com/rizin/roque-martinez-on-rizin-16-and-his-future-it-comes-down-to-this-it-comes-down-to-this-fight/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=thebodylockmma.com|date=31 May 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|last=Skytte|first=Mike|title=Roque Martinez defends DEEP Megaton Championship vs. Ryo Sakai at DEEP 88 Impact - MMA Sucka|date=10 January 2019 |url=https://mmasucka.com/2019/01/10/roque-martinez-defends-deep-megaton-championship-vs-ryo-sakai-at-deep-88-impact/|access-date=2021-06-16|language=en-US}}</ref>
Martinez faced Jake Heun at Rizin 16 on June 2, 2019. Despite breaking his hand in the first round, Martinez lost a close bout via split decision.<ref>{{cite web|last=Post|first=Justin Bennett {{!}} For The Guam Daily|title=Martinez drops split decision at RIZIN|url=https://www.postguam.com/sports/local/martinez-drops-split-decision-at-rizin/article_b97b715e-85c1-11e9-afe6-e7c6bee7fb08.html|access-date=2021-06-16|website=The Guam Daily Post|date=4 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
Martinez defended the DEEP Megatonweight Championship against Seigo Mizuguchi at Deep 93 Impact on December 15, 2019. He won the bout via TKO in the second round.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=Roque Martinez victorious in Deep 93 Impact|url=https://www.kuam.com/story/41454492/roque-martinez-victorious-in-deep-93-impact|access-date=2021-06-16|website=www.kuam.com|language=en}}</ref>
Martinez faced Hideki Sekine at Rizin 21 on February 22, 2020. He won the bout via TKO after finishing Sekine off with soccer kicks and punches.<ref>{{cite web|last=Network|first=Robert Balajadia {{!}} Guam Sports|title=Martinez signs with Iridium Sports|url=https://www.postguam.com/sports/local/martinez-signs-with-iridium-sports/article_3b86a384-f19c-11ea-a1df-9710c1b2dbd2.html|access-date=2021-06-16|website=The Guam Daily Post|date=9 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=2020-02-22|title=Roque Martinez Breaks Out the Soccer Kicks to Finish "Shrek" at RIZIN 21|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/02/22/roque-martinez-breaks-soccer-kicks-finish-shrek-rizin-21/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}</ref>
===Ultimate Fighting Championship=== Martinez made his debut on September 12, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill, when he lost to Alexander Romanov via arm-triangle choke in the second round.<ref>{{cite web|last=Doherty|first=Dan|date=2020-09-12|title=UFC Vegas 10 Results: Alexander Romanov Runs Through Roque Martinez|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/09/12/ufc-vegas-10-results-alexander-romanov/|access-date=2020-12-12|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}</ref>
Martinez faced Don'Tale Mayes on November 14, 2020 UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos.<ref name="Martinez in">{{cite web|author=Nolan King|date=2020-10-14|title=With Philipe Lins out, UFC shifts Don'Tale Mayes onto Nov. 14 card vs. Roque Martinez|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/10/philipe-lins-out-ufc-books-roque-martinez-vs-dontale-mayes-november-14|access-date=2020-10-14|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com}}</ref> He lost the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=2020-11-14|title=UFC Vegas 14 Results: Don'Tale Mayes Takes Roque Martinez the Distance|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/11/14/ufc-vegas-14-results-mayes-vs-martinez/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}</ref>
Martinez faced Josh Parisian at UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige on June 19, 2021.<ref name="Martinez vs. Parisian">{{cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=2021-03-03|title=BREAKING: Josh Parisian vs. Roque Martinez toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 19 juni|url=https://mmadna.nl/breaking-josh-parisian-vs-roque-martinez-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-evenement-op-19-juni/|access-date=2021-03-04|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}}</ref> He lost the bout via controversial split decision. 12 out of 14 media scores gave the victory to Martinez.<ref>{{cite web|last=Behunin|first=Alex|date=2021-06-19|title=UFC Vegas 29 Results: Josh Parisian Gets First UFC Win, Defeats Roque Martinez Via Split Decision|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/06/19/ufc-vegas-29-results-josh-parisian-gets-first-ufc-win-defeats-roque-martinez-via-split-decision/|access-date=2021-06-20|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Josh Parisian def. Roque Martinez :: UFC on ESPN 25 :: MMA Decisions|url=http://www.mmadecisions.com/decision/12006/Josh-Parisian-vs-Roque-Martinez|access-date=2021-06-20|website=www.mmadecisions.com|archive-date=2021-06-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619213820/http://mmadecisions.com/decision/12006/Josh-Parisian-vs-Roque-Martinez|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On June 29, 2021, after his third straight loss, Martinez was released from the UFC.<ref>{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Damon|date=2021-07-02|title=Emil Meek, Lara Procopio headline latest round of UFC fighter departures|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/7/2/22538948/emil-meek-lara-procopio-ufc-fighter-departures|access-date=2021-07-02|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}}</ref>
=== Post UFC === Making his return after almost a year and a half away, Martinez faced Yuichi Yokoyama on November 11, 2022 at Brawl International 2, winning the bout via rear-naked choke in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malumay |first=Vanessa |title=Martinez closes out Brawl with victory |url=https://www.guampdn.com/martinez-closes-out-brawl-with-victory/article_aef264a2-623d-11ed-b59a-7f7263258246.html |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=Pacific Daily |date=12 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
Martinez returned to Rizin, facing Tsuyoshi Sudario at Rizin Landmark 5 on April 29, 2023, losing the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |title=【RIZIN】朝倉未来が引き込む牛久に判定勝ち「男はやるときやりゃあいいでしょう」、斎藤が打撃も当ててテイクダウンし平本にスプリット判定勝ち、太田が倉本を1R KO、グスタボ... |url=https://gonkaku.jp/articles/13527?page=7 |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU}}</ref>
Martinez faced Tserendash Azjargal on November 18, 2023 at Black Combat 9, winning the bout via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-18 |title=Roque Martinez wins heavyweight fight in Korea |url=https://kanditnews.com/roque-martinez-crowned-heavyweight-champion-at-mma-fight-in-korea/ |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=KANDIT News Group |language=en-US}}</ref>
Martinez defended and unified the DEEP Megatonweight Championship against Ryo Sakai on March 9, 2024 at DEEP 118 Impact, winning the bout via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=格闘技情報を毎日配信！ |first=eFight 【イーファイト】 |title=【DEEP】マルティネス、酒井リョウに判定勝利、貫禄の試合運びでメガトン王座統一！ |url=https://efight.jp/result_s-20240309_1473758 |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=eFight【イーファイト】格闘技情報を毎日配信！ |date=9 March 2024 |language=ja}}</ref>
== Personal life == Besides his mixed martial arts career, Martinez works as an insurance adjuster.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tomas|first=Jojo Santo|title=MMA pros Roque Martinez and Frank "The Crank" Camacho offer insight into a fighter's life|url=https://www.guampdn.com/story/sports/2021/03/11/mma-pros-offer-insight-into-fighters-life/6951871002/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Pacific Daily News|date=11 March 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Championships and accomplishments ==
=== Mixed martial arts ===
* '''Deep''' ** DEEP Megatonweight Championship (One Time)<ref name=":0" /> ***Three successful title defenses<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
==Mixed martial arts record== {{MMArecordbox | draws= 2 | nc= | ko-wins= 8 | sub-wins= 4 | dec-wins= 7 | ko-losses= 2 | sub-losses= 2 | dec-losses= 7 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins= | other-losses= }} {{MMA record start}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|19–11–2 |Eduardo Garvon |Decision (unanimous) |Black Combat 14 |{{dts|2025|May|6}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Incheon, South Korea |{{small|Middleweight debut.}} |- |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|{{nowrap|19–10–2}} |Cha Jung-hwan |Decision (unanimous) |Black Combat 13 |{{dts|2024|December|28}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Seoul, South Korea |{{small|Light Heavyweight bout.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|19–9–2 |Kim Myung-hwan |Decision (unanimous) |Black Combat 11 |{{dts|2024|July|13}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Busan, South Korea | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|18–9–2 |Ryo Sakai |Decision (unanimous) |DEEP 118 Impact |{{dts|2024|March|9}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Tokyo, Japan |{{small|Defended and unified the DEEP Megatonweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|17–9–2 |Tserendash Azjargal |Decision (unanimous) |Black Combat 9 |{{dts|2023|November|18}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Incheon, South Korea | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|16–9–2 |Tsuyoshi Sudario |Decision (unanimous) |Rizin Landmark 5 |{{dts|2023|April|29}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Tokyo, Japan | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|16–8–2 |Yuichi Yokoyama |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Brawl International 2 |{{dts|2022|November|11}} |align=center|1 |align=center|1:55 |Tumon Bay, Guam | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|15–8–2 |Josh Parisian |Decision (split) |UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige |{{dts|2021|June|19}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center|15–7–2 |Don'Tale Mayes | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos | {{dts|2020|November|14}} | align=center|3 | align=center|5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center|15–6–2 |Alexander Romanov | Submission (arm-triangle choke) |UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill |{{dts|2020|September|12}} |align=center|2 |align=center|4:22 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center|15–5–2 |Hideki Sekine |TKO (soccer kicks and punches) |Rizin 21 |{{dts|2020.02.22}} |align=center|1 |align=center|4:04 |Hamamatsu, Japan | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center|14–5–2 | Seigo Mizuguchi |TKO (punches) |Deep 93 Impact |{{dts|2019.12.15}} |align=center|2 |align=center|2:09 |Tokyo, Japan |{{small|Defended the DEEP Megatonweight Championship.}} |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center|13–5–2 | Jake Heun | Decision (split) | Rizin 16 | {{dts|2019.06.02}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Kobe, Japan | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center|13–4–2 | Ryo Sakai |TKO (punches and elbows) |DEEP 88 Impact |{{dts|2019.03.09}} |align=center| 1 |align=center| 4:59 |Tokyo, Japan |{{small|Defended the DEEP Megatonweight Championship.}} |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center|12–4–2 | Mirko Cro Cop | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Rizin 13 | {{dts|2018|September|30}} | align=center|1 | align=center|4:58 | Saitama, Japan | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center|12–3–2 | Kiyoshi Kuwabara | TKO (punches) |Rizin 12 |{{dts|2018.08.12}} |align=center|1 |align=center|4:33 |Nagoya, Japan | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 11–3–2 |Jérôme Le Banner | Submission (scarf hold) | Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round – Part 2 | {{dts|2017|October|15}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:09 | Fukuoka, Japan | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| {{nowrap|10–3–2}} |Jaideep Singh |Decision (unanimous) |Deep Cage Impact 2017: At Korakuen Hall |{{dts|2017|July|15}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Tokyo, Japan |{{small|Won the DEEP Megatonweight Championship.}} |- | {{Draw}}Draw | align=center|9–3–2 |Lee Sang-soo |Draw (majority) |Top FC 12 |{{dts|2016.09.11}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Seoul, South Korea | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 9–3–1 | Kelvin Fitial |Decision (unanimous) |Pacific Xtreme Combat 54 |{{dts|2016.07.08}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Mangilao, Guam | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 8–3–1 |Takaaki Oban | TKO (punches) | Pacific Xtreme Combat 52 | {{dts|2016.03.18}} | align=center| 2 | align=center| N/A | Mangilao, Guam | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center|7–3–1 | Jung Da-un | Submission (kimura) | Top FC 9 | {{dts|2015|October|24}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:30 | Incheon, South Korea |<small>Return to Heavyweight.</small> |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center|6–3–1 | Kim Doo-hwan | Decision (split) |Top FC 7 |{{dts|2015.05.29}} | align=center|3 | align=center|5:00 |Changwon, South Korea |{{small|Light Heavyweight debut.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center|5–3–1 | Mylo Lassiter | Decision (unanimous) |Pacific Xtreme Combat 36 |{{dts|2013.03.08}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Mangilao, Guam | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center|4–3–1 | Kelvin Fitial | TKO (punches and elbows) | Pacific Xtreme Combat 24 | {{dts|2011.06.11}} | align=center| 4 | align=center| 4:52 | Manila, Philippines | |- | {{Draw}}Draw | align=center|4–2–1 | Kelvin Fitial |Draw |Pacific Xtreme Combat 22 |{{dts|2011.01.20}} |align=center| 5 |align=center| 5:0 |Mangilao, Guam | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center|4–2 |Kazuhisa Tazawa |Submission (achilles lock) |DEEP 47 Impact |{{dts|2010.04.17}} |align=center|2 |align=center|2:11 |Tokyo, Japan |{{small|Openweight bout.}} |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center|4–1 |Yusuke Kawaguchi | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: Cage Impact 2009 | {{dts|2009|December|19}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | {{small|For the DEEP Megatonweight Championship.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 4–0 | Charleston Aiken |Submission (heel hook) |Pacific Xtreme Combat 15 |{{dts|2008.07.25}} |align=center|2 |align=center|0:00 |Mangilao, Guam | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center|3–0 | Manny Chong |TKO (punches) |Pacific Xtreme Combat 13 |{{dts|2007.11.17}} | align=center|1 | align=center|0:00 |Mangilao, Guam | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 2–0 | Charleston Aiken | TKO |Pacific Xtreme Combat 11 |{{dts|2007.04.13}} | align=center|2 | align=center|0:00 |Mangilao, Guam | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center|1–0 | Toby Mesa | TKO (elbows) |Pacific Xtreme Combat Live 1 |{{dts|2007.03.24}} |align=center|1 |align=center|3:29 |Tamuning, Guam | {{small|Heavyweight debut.}} {{end}} <ref>{{cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=Roque Martinez|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Roque-Martinez-22115|access-date=2020-08-07|website=Sherdog}}</ref>
== See also == * List of male mixed martial artists
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Twitter|RoqueMartinez86|Roque Martinez}} * {{Instagram|roque_martinez86|Roque Martinez}} * {{Sherdog|22115}} * {{UFC|roque-martinez}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Martinez, Roque}} Category:Living people Category:1986 births Category:People from Tamuning, Guam Category:Guamanian male mixed martial artists Category:Heavyweight mixed martial artists Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters