In 2003, as a senior he entered the NCAA tournament unseeded but made All American honors when he captured a fifth-place finish.
Martinez eventually faced Shahbulat Shamhalaev in the finals of the Season Seven Featherweight Tournament on February 21, 2013 at Bellator 90.
Martinez had his retirement fight at Bellator 114 on March 28 where he defeated Edson Berto by unanimous decision.
[2] The story covered how Martinez took care of his paraplegic father while trying to maintain a career in mixed martial arts.
Martinez is a good friend and was a college wrestling teammate of former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar.