Champion: David Martinez

Two-Division Eternal MMA Champion — David Martinez

David “The Smiling Assassin” Martinez is one of the most decorated fighters in Australian MMA history. With over 14 years in the sport, he has become only the second fighter in Eternal history to claim titles in two weight divisions.

Martinez’s journey began with a setback in his amateur debut against Tristan Murphy, but he quickly rebounded to rattle off nine straight wins — seven by submission. His professional career followed the same trajectory of resilience and growth. Wins over Peter Templer, Ethan Thomas, and UFC veteran Mike Wilkinson set the stage for his first title shot. In May 2019 at Eternal 45, he captured the Eternal lightweight championship by submitting Brentin Mumford in the first round.

Though he later lost the belt to Josh Togo, Martinez battled his way back, defeating names like Dimps Gillies, and Tim Schultz before reclaiming the lightweight title at Eternal 69 with a second-round rear-naked choke over rival Aidan Aguilera.

After a hard-fought loss in a rematch with Blake Donnelly, Martinez continued testing himself against elite opposition such as Kieran Joblin, Jack Becker, Wes Capper, and Luke Dally — sharpening his striking and showing his evolution as a fighter. Difficult weight cuts prompted a move to welterweight, where he proved immediately successful, submitting Brentin Mumford again at Eternal 90.

In February 2025, Martinez cemented his place in Eternal history by defeating Stephen “The Juggernaut” Costello at Eternal 92 to become a two-division champion. He followed that triumph at Eternal 98 with a dominant win over New Zealand’s Matt Vaile, solidifying his status as Australia’s pound-for-pound number one.

With his trademark smile and relentless fighting spirit, David Martinez has etched his name among the all-time greats of Eternal MMA.

Watch David Martinez’s fights on YouTube or UFC Fight Pass.

Follow David on Instagram: @davidmartinezmma

Know Your Fighter: David Martinez

Full Name:
David Martinez

Age:
32

Where were you born:
Darwin, NT

Where do you live:
Buderim, Sunshine Coast, QLD

Which gym do you train out of:
Team Compton Training Centre

Who are your coaches:
Ryan Doyle & Steve Compton

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
BJJ Black Belt – 1st degree

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
All of them — footy, cricket, rugby, basketball and athletics (track & field)

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
Started as a hobby in 2011, turned pro in 2018.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Sparring, of course. Nothing quite like punching someone in the face — and vice versa.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My ability to bounce back from adversity — you could say I’m hard-headed, haha.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Annoying pressure. I walk my opponents down — it’s suffocating for them.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA, of course. It’s what I’m good at — or so people say.

Who is your favourite athlete:
GSP

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
GSP & Volk

What are your immediate and long term goals:
Immediate goal is always the opponent in front of me.
Long term — to become the best undisputed fighter in Australia & New Zealand, and earn myself a contract on the world stage.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
Excitement — and lots of smiles. I absolutely love what I do, so it’s impossible for me not to smile. Fans can expect to see me bring something new every time I step in the cage, plus the usual suffocating pressure.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I never predict the outcome of my fights, but my pressure is a nightmare to deal with. I always look to take my opponents into deep water — and if an opportunity arises, finish them.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you to my wife, family, friends, coaches, teammates and sponsors. Thank you to the fans that always show up.

Instagram:
@davidmartinezmma

Watch David Martinez fight at Eternal MMA 98 on Saturday, September 13

Know Your Fighter: David Martinez

Full Name:

David Martinez

Age:

31

Where were you born:

Darwin NT

Where do you live:

Moffat Beach Caloundra On the Sunshine Coast

Which gym do you train out of:

Ignite Martial Arts & Vice Training Centre

Who are your coaches:

Ryan Dunstan, Ryan Doyle & Chris Jaffrey I also work with Steve and Elliott Compton and Dom Mar Fan

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:

BJJ Black Belt

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:

All of them, Footy, Rugby, Cricket, Basketball and Athletics (track & field).

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:

As a hobby in 2011 as a profession I turned Pro in 2018

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:

Probably the same as every other mma fighter ever haha Sparring of course, there’s nothing quite like punching someone in the face and vice versa.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:

My ability to bounce back from adversity of any kind. You could say I’m hard headed haha

How would you describe your fighting style:

Annoying pressure…. I walk my opponents down, it’s suffocating to them.

What is your favourite sport and why:

Hmmm let me think…….. MMA of course, kinda self explanatory, its what I’m good at, or so people say.

Who is your favourite athlete:

GSP

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

GSP & Volk

What are your immediate and long term goals:

Immediate goal is always the opponent in front of me. Long term goals, to become the best undisputed lightweight in Australia and New Zealand and earn myself a contract on the world stage.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:

Excitement and lots of smiles, I absolutely love what I do and it is very hard for me not to smile before, during and after my fights. They can expect to see constant pressure and something new each fight.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

I am not one for predicting fights however, I do feel my pressure style is a nightmare for anyone to deal with. I will as always look to take my opponent into very deep water and when the opportunity arises finish them.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

Thank you to all my family, friends, coaches, team mates, sponsors and supporters for always having my back. I would never be able to do any of this without their support.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

@the_smiling_assassin_1

Watch David Martinez fight at Eternal MMA 88 on Saturday, September 14