Jonathan Martinez knocks out Frankie Saenz in the third
The UFC returns from “Fight Island” and is back in Las Vegas, Nevada tonight, Saturday, Aug. 1.
A middleweight clash between long-time veteran Derek Brunson and the unbeaten Edmen Shabazyan will headline UFC on ESPN+ 31 inside the UFC Apex. In the co-main event, the consensus No. 1 contender of the women’s flyweight division, Joanne Calderwood takes a short notice fight against Jennifer Maia.
In a scheduled bantamweight affair, Jonathan Martinez and Frankie Saenz weighed in on Friday evening 4.5lbs over the scheduled weight limit. The bout will still take place with Martinez forfeiting 30% of his purse to Saenz and ineligible for any added bonuses such as Performance of the Night or Fight of the Night.
Both fighters are coming off of losses in their previous bouts. Martinez’ coming up short last February to Andre Ewell via split decision. Saenz looking to bounce back from an 85-second knockout loss to Marlon Vera in March of 2019.
Here is how the catchweight bout between Jonathan Martinez and Frankie Saenz went down at UFC on ESPN+, including round by round scoring. For full results of the event, check them out here.
Round 1
Both lighters touch gloves and the belt is underway. Martinez leads the contest off with a teep kick and Saenz immediately follows up with a punch combination. Saenz switch his levels in scores the take down but Martinez is quick to return to his feet. Saenz press iMartinez against the fence and works his dirty boxing early. Saenz keeps his weight heavy upstairs while firing knees to the inside of Martinez as presses Saenz against the fence. Martinez returns a knee of his own and circles out to the center of the octagon. Martinez is targeting the midsection with his teep kicks and walking Saenz down. Saenz stays active by keeping up with his punch output. The two get into a back-and-forth technical slugfest with two minutes left in the round, Martinez leads unloading punches, knees, kicks. Martinez remains heavy on his kicks, switching from body to head. Saenz is leading with the leg kick and throwing bombs upstairs. With seconds left in the round, Martinez unloads with several successful upper cuts to make Saenz look wobbly.
MyMMANews scores round 1 for Jonathan Martinez. 10-9
Round 2:
Saenz is landing with success early between his punches and kicks. Martinez is picking his shots with pinpoint precision when he delivers. Martinez is walking Saenz down, stalking his opponent and waiting for a mistake. Saenz rushes forward with a punch combo and is met with a wobbling shot from Martinez that puts him on his back. Martinez rushes his hurt opponent to the ground landing several thudding punches to the head. Saenz recovers and gets back to his feet but is clearly hurt and cut. Saenzis desperately looking to regain ground and marching forward with out sense of care, getting caught time and time again. Martinez throws a left head kick that lands flush and drops Saenz in his tracks. Martinez eases up thinking the fight is over but realizes the referee isn’t stepping in to stop it. Martinez relentlessly tries to put a stamp on his hurt for, landing several bombs, but the bell sounds to end the round
MyMMANews scores round 2 for Jonathan Martinez. 10-9
Round 3:
The fighters meet in the center of the cage to start this round and Saenz waste no time pumping his punches out to gain traction. In the midst of an exchange, Saenz eats a kick downstairs to the groin, dropping the action. The action gets back underway and Martinez gets back to work with his kicks, leading with a head kick. Saenz rushes in with a punch barrage. Martinez backs up, firing a knee up the middle, landing on the chin. Saenz immediately drops, Martinez follows up with a few punches to finish the job, and the referee steps in to stop the action.
Official Decision: Jonathan Martinez defeats Frankie Saenz via KO at 57 seconds of round 3. (Knee followed by punches)
