After four straight victories, Anthony Rocco Martin takes a huge step up in competition as he faces Demian Maia on June 29. Maia is coming off a win over Lyman Good and will try to prove that he is still as relevant a commodity as the younger Martin. As they prepare for UFC on ESPN 3, take a look at some of their career-defining numbers.
Age and overall experience
At 41 years old, Maia is more senior than most, if not all, fighters in the welterweight division, and that includes the 29-year-old Martin. Martin made his professional debut on Jan. 7, 2012, just a month after celebrating his 23rd birthday on Dec. 11. The fight under the Cage Fighting Xtreme banner lasted only 2:15, with Martin getting his hand raised following a submission.The American Top Team representative would win another seven times before getting signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he now holds a record of 8-4. His overall professional record is 16-4.
When Martin made his pro debut, Maia was already a veteran of 18 fights and was preparing for his 19th against Chris Weidman at UFC on Fox 2. The Brazilian was born on Nov. 6, 1977 and entered his first pro competition on Sept. 21, 2001 in an event called Tormenta en el Ring in Caracas, Venezuela. It was a fight that lasted merely 0:48 as he knocked out his opponent Raul Sosa.
That victory sparked an 11-0 run that included five in the UFC, where he would go on to face the best at middleweight and welterweight. His Octagon record stands at 20-9, while overall, Maia is 26-9.
Wins by submission
When any of these two fighters are in the cage, there’s a great chance the bout will end in a submission. And more often than not, it’s them having their hands raised. Maia, who has more pro mileage, has stopped 13 opponents by submission. Among his victims are Lukasz Chlewicki, Vitelmo Kubis Bandeira, Fabio Nascimento, Ryan Jensen, Ed Herman, Jason MacDonald, Nate Quarry, Chael Sonnen, Rick Story, Neil Magny, Matt Brown, Carlos Condit and the aforementioned Good.Like Maia, Martin is also a jiu-jitsu black belt. He has finished nine opponents by submission, namely Bruce Johnson, Kuchlong Kuchlong, Jonathan Knutson, Jay Ellis, Ted Worthington, Thomas Gifford, Fabricio Camoes, Felipe Olivieri and Jake Matthews.