DWCS: Victor Martinez Says UFC Contract Win Part of Ten Year Plan

Las Vegas, NV — For Victor Martinez, who earned a UFC contract on the most recent installment of Dana White’s Contender Series, making it to the promotion is all part of a ten year plan.

Martinez (13-4) earned a unanimous decision win over Jacob Rosales, extending the lightweight’s win streak to seven. While going the distance doesn’t always secure a deal on the show, UFC President Dana White recognized both the skill of Martinez, and the fact that he set a lightweight record for significant strikes in the fight.

“I’m super happy,” Martinez exclaimed after the bout, speaking to media outlets including Cageside Press. “I remember, I fought for my first title a couple years back, and I had a talk with coach Sayif [Saud], and he told me ‘this is a ten year plan.’ And this is basically what this was, a ten year plan. I’m so happy to be here, and I’m so happy to get signed to the UFC.”

Given Martinez made his pro debut back in 2011, he’s right on schedule.

Tuesday night’s fight ended up a war, with Rosales refusing to go quietly. “We did expect that. My coach had told me ‘expect it to be a fight,'” Martinez acknowledged. “Going into the first round, I know he dropped me, I don’t know what he dropped me with. I just remember blinking, like ‘blink’ and then I was on the floor and I was like ‘oh damn I’ve got to get up.’ So I just started working my way up. I got the win, and I’m glad. I even broke a record. I’m just excited and happy to be here.”

The significant strikes landed by Victor Martinez totaled 144, and he now gets his name in the show’s record book. Now, it’s on the UFC, though Martinez isn’t about to rush things.

“I know I’ve still got a lot to work on. I’m going to take it step by step,” explained the lightweight, who trains at both Fortis MMA and Team Ferreira. “It’s no rush. Take it step by step, go train more at Fortis [MMA] and get better, and just get better overall. Let’s just see where this 10 year plan goes, how much longer it goes.”

Watch the full Dana White’s Contender Series Season 5, Week 4 post-fight press scrum with Victor Martinez above. More coverage from the event can be found below.