Mixed Martial Arts can be a brutal and unforgiving sport. To engage in unarmed combat, fighters often need to have a particular mentality, one that encourages a "kill-or-be-killed" attitude. As a result, mixed martial artists are often viewed as brutes or bloodthirsty savages. Outside of the cage, it's hard to imagine a man who beats up others for a living as anything other than fearsome, let alone as caring and compassionate. Yet, that's exactly the case with Rad Martinez. Martinez has since retired from fighting out of West Jordan, Utah, but has gained more attention for his story outside of the cage than for his career in it.
Being a professional fighter is an extremely tall task. Honing one's skills is essential when it comes to being a successful fighter, and it requires countless hours in the gym. It is this crucial pursuit of perfection and determination that allows a fighter to ultimately become a champion. However, this lifestyle is not without its fair share of sacrifices. Many fighters often have to dedicate so much time to training that they often have no time for any sort of part-time job. Therefore, if they don't win and earn money, they don't eat, pay rent or feed their families. It's truly a difficult lifestyle, full of hardships.
Imagine though, having to not only train full-time but also care for a disabled family member around the clock. Such is the case for Rad Martinez. A promising young fighter, Martinez's Division I wrestling background at Clarion University of Pennsylvania made him the perfect MMA prospect. However, the only knock on Martinez was his lack of polish, which was due mainly to his inability to train properly because he had to care for his brain-damaged father. For Martinez though, family, particularly a promise made to his dying grandmother, was far more important. While Martinez enjoyed a healthy career, it's unfortunate his true potential in the cage may never be fully realized. What we're left with, though, is a man who was able to not only overcome overwhelming tragedy, but also persevere against the odds.
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