American mixed martial arts fighter (born 1983)
Poppies Martinez (born August 19, 1983) is a Native American professional mixed martial artist of the Tachi Yokuts tribe currently competing in the Lightweight division of Bellator . A professional competitor since 2003, he has also formerly competed for the California -based promotions, the WEC , Palace Fighting Championship , and Tachi Palace Fights .
Background
Born and raised in Lemoore, California , Martinez competed in wrestling at Lemoore High School .[ 4] Kenpo Karate and holds a black belt.[ 3]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career: World Extreme Cagefighting
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 .[ 5]
Martinez fought for the 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.[ 6]
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.[ 7]
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.[ 8]
Martinez faced Christos Giagos on August 22, 2013, at TPF 16: The Return 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.[ 9]
Martinez also faced Chris Culley on February 6, 2014, at TPF 18: Martinez vs. Culley 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.[ 10]
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.[ 11]
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.[ 12]
In his third fight within the promotion, Martinez faced Bubba Jenkins at Bellator 122 on July 25, 2014.[ 13]
Martinez faced Julio Cesar Neves on September 19, 2014, at Bellator 125 .[ 14]
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.[ 15] [ 4]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
41 matches
29 wins
11 losses
By knockout
8
4
By submission
18
7
By decision
3
0
No contests
1
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
29–11 (1)
Julio Cesar Neves
TKO (punches)
Bellator 125
September 19, 2014
1
2:16
Fresno, California , United States
Featherweight bout.
Loss
29–10 (1)
Bubba Jenkins
TKO (punches)
Bellator 122
July 25, 2014
1
4:10
Temecula, California , United States
Win
29–9 (1)
Josh Smith
Submission (guillotine choke)
Bellator 116
April 11, 2014
1
3:50
Temecula, California , United States
Return to Lightweight .
Win
28–9 (1)
Chris Culley
Submission (anaconda choke)
Tachi Palace Fights 18: Martinez vs. Culley
February 6, 2014
1
3:31
Lemoore, California , United States
Won vacant TPF Featherweight Championship.
Loss
27–9 (1)
Brandon Girtz
Submission (armbar)
Bellator 102
October 4, 2013
1
1:20
Visalia, California , United States
Win
27–8 (1)
Christos Giagos
Submission (guillotine choke)
Tachi Palace Fights 16: The Return
August 22, 2013
1
4:27
Lemoore, California , United States
Won vacant TPF Lightweight Championship.
Win
26–8 (1)
John Bond
Submission
Gladiator Challenge: Battleground
March 24, 2013
1
1:10
San Jacinto, California , United States
Win
25–8 (1)
Aaron King
Submission (neck crank)
Gladiator Challenge: Super Fight Night
February 1, 2013
1
0:51
Lincoln, California , United States
Win
24–8 (1)
Fernando Bernstein
Decision (unanimous)
Tachi Palace Fights 15: Collision Course
November 15, 2012
3
5:00
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
23–8 (1)
Mike Ryan
TKO (punches)
Gladiator Challenge: Heat Returns
October 28, 2012
1
1:46
San Jacinto, California , United States
Win
22–8 (1)
Alec Borilia
TKO (punches)
Gladiator Challenge
September 29, 2012
1
0:50
San Diego, California , United States
Win
21–8 (1)
Jason Drake
Submission (heel hook)
Tachi Palace Fights 14: Validation
September 7, 2012
1
1:48
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
20–8 (1)
Raymond Doxie
TKO (doctor stoppage)
Gladiator Challenge: World Class
June 23, 2012
2
1:53
Lincoln, California , United States
Loss
19–8 (1)
Tony Llamas
Submission (guillotine choke)
Tachi Palace Fights 13: Unfinished Business
May 10, 2012
1
1:00
Lemoore, California , United States
Loss
19–7 (1)
David Mitchell
Technical submission (triangle choke)
TPF 5: Stars and Strikes
July 9, 2010
1
1:32
Lemoore, California , United States
For TPF Welterweight Championship.
Win
19–6 (1)
Darren Crisp
Submission (armbar)
TPF 4: Cinco de Mayhem
May 5, 2010
1
2:46
Lemoore, California , United States
Loss
18–6 (1)
Daniel Romero
Submission (armbar)
Gladiator Challenge: Chain Reaction
December 12, 2009
1
2:59
Placerville, California , United States
Win
18–5 (1)
Sergio Salcido
Submission (guillotine choke)
TPF 1: Tachi Palace Fights 1
October 8, 2009
2
3:21
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
17–5 (1)
Tony Llamas
Submission (armbar)
PFC 11: All In
November 20, 2008
1
1:51
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
16–5 (1)
Sergio Cortez
Decision (unanimous)
PFC 10: Explosive
September 26, 2008
3
3:00
Lemoore, California , United States
Loss
15–5 (1)
Sergio Cortez
TKO (injury)
PFC 8: A Night of Champions
April 26, 2008
1
2:57
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
15–4 (1)
Jarod Saenz
Submission (guillotine choke)
PFC 7.5: New Blood
April 26, 2008
1
0:31
Porterville, California , United States
Loss
14–4 (1)
Diego Saraiva
Submission (rear-naked choke)
PFC 6: No Retreat, No Surrender
January 17, 2008
1
2:08
Lemoore, California , United States
For PFC Lightweight Championship.
Win
14–3 (1)
Billy Terry
Submission (kimura)
Independent Event
December 6, 2007
1
2:35
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
13–3 (1)
Aaron Maldonado
Submission (guillotine choke)
PFC 5: Beatdown at 4 Bears
November 10, 2007
1
1:22
New Town, North Dakota , United States
Non-title bout.[ 16] [ 17]
Win
12–3 (1)
Brandon Jinnies
TKO (punches)
PFC 4: Project Complete
October 18, 2007
1
1:23
Lemoore, California , United States
Won PFC Interim Lightweight Championship.
Win
11–3 (1)
Billy Terry
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Primal MMA: The Next Level
August 11, 2007
1
2:00
Tijuana, Baja California , Mexico
Loss
10–3 (1)
Shad Smith
Submission (guillotine choke)
PFC 2: Fast and Furious
March 22, 2007
3
1:10
Lemoore, California , United States
For PFC Lightweight Championship.
Win
10–2 (1)
Josh Gardner
Decision (unanimous)
PFC 1: King of the Ring
January 18, 2007
3
3:00
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
9–2 (1)
Robert Breslin
Submission (guillotine choke)
WEC 24 : Full Force
October 12, 2006
1
0:52
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
8–2 (1)
Gigo Jara
Submission (rear-naked choke)
WEC 23 : Hot August Fights
August 17, 2006
2
3:52
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
7–2 (1)
Troy Miller
Submission (armbar)
WEC 22 : The Hitmen
July 28, 2006
1
0:50
Lemoore, California , United States
Loss
6–2 (1)
Cory Cass
Submission (armbar)
WEC 20 : Cinco de Mayhem
May 5, 2006
1
0:47
Lemoore, California , United States
NC
6–1 (1)
Robert Breslin
No contest (groin strike)
WEC 17 : Halloween Fury 4
October 14, 2005
1
0:23
Lemoore, California , United States
Breslin accidentally kicked Martinez in the groin at 0:23 of round one. [ 18]
Loss
6–1
Cole Escovedo
TKO (leg injury)
WEC 15 : Judgment Day
May 19, 2005
2
1:05
Lemoore, California , United States
For Tachi Palace Native American Championship.
Win
6–0
Joe Martin
TKO (punches)
WEC 12 : Halloween Fury 3
October 21, 2004
2
4:41
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
5–0
Gabriel Cruz
Submission (punches)
WEC 10 : Bragging Rights
May 21, 2004
1
0:30
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
4–0
Eric Ramirez
TKO (punches)
WEC 9 : Cold Blooded
January 16, 2004
1
3:15
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
3–0
A.J. Wieman
Submission (rear-naked choke)
WEC 8: Halloween Fury 2
October 17, 2003
1
2:01
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
2–0
Johnny Fadella
TKO (knees)
WEC 7 : This Time It's Personal
August 9, 2003
1
0:51
Lemoore, California , United States
Win
1–0
Erick Husbands
KO (punches)
WEC 6: Return of a Legend
March 27, 2003
1
0:10
Lemoore, California , United States
Professional boxing record
3 Wins (1 knockout, 2 decisions), 0 Losses , 0 Draws
Res.
Record
Opponent
Type
Rd., Time
Date
Location
Notes
Win
3–0
UD
4
2009-03-21
Playboy Mansion , Beverly Hills, California , United States
Win
2–0
MD
4
2009-02-06
Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino , Lemoore, California , United States
Win
1–0
TKO
1 (4), 1:32
2008-10-23
Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino , Lemoore, California , United States
See also
References
^ "Poppies Martinez's profile" . Bellator.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014 .^ "Poppies Martinez's profile" . Tapology.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014 .^ a b "Poppies Martinez | 51 Fifty Energy" . Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015 .^ a b "The journey continues for Lemoore's Martinez" .^ Mike Whitman (March 29, 2013). "Update: tribal council reverses decision, Tachi Palace Fights to return in August" . Sherdog.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014 . ^ a b John Chandler (October 16, 2007). "Jinnies to replace Smith at PFC 4" . MMAontap.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014 . ^ Keith Mills (January 20, 2008). "Palace Fighting Championships 6 results" . Adcombat.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2014 . ^ Joseph Zigler and Jeff Sherwood (July 10, 2010). "McCullough stops de Jesus, Alessio chokes out War Machine at TPF" . Sherdog.com. Retrieved April 10, 2015 . ^ a b Joseph Zigler (August 23, 2013). "Poppies Martinez, Art Arciniega capture titles at Tachi Palace Fights 16" . Sherdog.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014 . ^ a b Mike Whitman (February 6, 2014). "Poppies Martinez, Joe Soto strike Tachi Palace Fights gold at TPF 18" . Sherdog.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014 . ^ Staff (October 5, 2013). "Bellator 102 results: Kongo flattens Godbeer, Queiroz whacks Johnson" . MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014 . ^ Brian Knapp (April 11, 2014). "Blagoi Ivanov submits Lavar Johnson in Bellator 116 heavyweight tournament semifinal" . Sherdog.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014 . ^ Jason Floyd (June 10, 2014). "Bubba Jenkins drops to featherweight, meets Poppies Martinez at Bellator 122" . themmareport.com. Retrieved August 18, 2014 . ^ "James Irvin Injured, Replacement Bout Announced For Bellator 125" . mmanews.com. August 29, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014 .^ "Srmma.com: Source Says Poor Finanicial [sic] Reporting Was The Reason Tachi Palace Closed" . www.srmma.com . Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.^ Press release (November 7, 2007). "PFC heads to North Dakota for "beatdown at 4 bears" . Sherdog.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014 . ^ Press release (November 12, 2007). "Imes highlights – PFC 5" . Sherdog.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014 . ^ Loretta Hunt (October 14, 2005). "WEC 17: Halloween Fury 4 all treat, few tricks" . FCFighter.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014 .
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