Traveling to Mexico hasn't been common for most people in 2020, but for Alex Martinez, this visit serves a purpose beyond leisure.
From Grande Prairie, Alta., Martinez (6-0) intends to stay perfect and inch closer to a UFC contract when he squares off against Christopher Ramirez (7-2) in a lightweight matchup at iKON Fighting Federation 4 in San Carlos, Mexico on Friday night.
Rumors circulating suggest Martinez, 26, was set to appear on Dana White's Contender Series this past summer, yet visa complications ultimately prevented the bout from happening.
Though the UFC clearly has Martinez on their radar, the fighter insists he's hoping for an invitation but refuses to count on it before it arrives.
"I certainly have ambitions about many things, but I refuse to depend on anything I haven't already secured," Martinez told MMA Empire in conversation.
"I'm not planning ahead beyond this event, honestly. The UFC isn't occupying my thoughts. Naturally, I want to compete there and I realize a win here likely opens that door, yet I'm not dwelling on it. My sole focus is on my next opponent."
Martinez's most recent outing came at Brave CF 27 back in October 2019, when he earned a second-round stoppage over Anas Siraj Mounir.
According to Martinez, that performance bolstered his self-belief, and he emphasized the importance of carrying that assurance forward.
"At every training camp, in every workout, during every fight, I absorb something new. That final contest taught me to trust myself more," Martinez explained.
"I'm operating at a high level and stack up well against other top-tier competitors. I understand how this sport works, so I just need to step into the cage with greater self-assurance."
Martinez choosing the unknown
After his last appearance for Brave CF—his third stint with the organization—Martinez received an offer for a long-term deal.
However, with his ambitions for his MMA journey and his ultimate destination in mind, Martinez decided the commitment wasn't the right path.
"I made it clear I wanted my chance inside the UFC. I want to discover how far I can push myself, and obviously, the UFC is the premier stage for testing your abilities," Martinez stated.
"I turned down that Brave contract despite it being an excellent offer with fantastic terms. I'm exactly where I need to be right now, pursuing my UFC dream."
Martinez now prepares to meet a dangerous striker in Ramirez, who boasts four knockout victories on his record.
To defeat Ramirez, Martinez stressed the value of deploying the techniques that have fueled his winning streak.
"My strongest attributes are managing distance, reading timing, and controlling movement," Martinez noted.
"I hope I've trained sufficiently to overpower him the same way I do against everyone else."
Keep up with Martinez online: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
