The UFC has made its return to Las Vegas after nearly a month on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Now, fighters are back in the 25-foot octagon with UFC Vegas 5 underway. The preliminary card is part of the history books, and fans finally got treated to their first finish of the night in the final fight. 

This was a catchweight bout between Jonathan Martinez and Frankie Saenz. The match proved to be an entertaining affair with a game-changing strike early in the third proving to be the difference between the duo on the night. 

Jonathan Martinez claims massive win at UFC Vegas 5

The fight seemed to be heading for the scorecards akin to the previous three matches. Here, at the start of the 3rd round, Saenz went on the offensive. He unleashed a flurry of combinations as Martinez backpedaled. 

The fighter in the black trunks saw an opening as his opponent had bent down when he leaned in for his strikes. Here, he struck Saenz clean in the jaw with a well-placed knee. 

Trending

“Bubble Gut From High HGH Abuse” – Joe Rogan’s Dire Health Concern Flare Up as Fans Worry About UFC Commentator

April 16, 2024 05:03 AM EDT

“Looks Just as Confused” – Justin Gaethje Receives Untoward Backlash From Fans After UFC 300 Max Holloway KO

April 15, 2024 11:59 AM EDT

Justin Gaethje’s Team Messes Up Mid Fight Before Getting KO’d at UFC 300, Max Holloway Reveals – “I Could Hear Trevor”

April 14, 2024 09:09 AM EDT

What Is Wrong With Joe Rogan’s Gut? Does UFC Commentator Have Palumboism Because of TRT and HGH?

April 16, 2024 04:50 AM EDT

Meet UFC’s Heartthrob Nina Marie Daniele: Boyfriend/Husband, Age, Playboy, ‘Nina Drama’ and More

October 25, 2023 09:12 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest UFC stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Upon impact, the 39-year-old fell onto the canvas. Martinez seemed to have learned from watching the fights over the last month and did not take the knockdown for granted.

He turned and connected with 4 vicious lefts before the referee ended proceedings. This was no freak ending as Martinez had been the better fighter in the first ten minutes as well. As a result, Martinez claimed his 7th T/KO, 9th finish, and 12th win in a relatively young 15 fight career. 

Currently, Saenz is on enduring a poor run of results with just 2 wins in his last 7 trips to the Octagon since 2015. At 39, he knows time is running out and will want to get a win before winding down his career.

Meanwhile, Martinez will not mind losing out a part of his fight purse due to coming in overweight as he claimed his first win in 2020. Earlier in the year, he lost to Andre Ewell via split decision at UFC 247.

“I’m Ready to Go in There And Kill”- Edmen Shahbazyan Previews His Journey Going Into UFC Main Event Debut

What did you make of Jonathan Martinez’s incredible fight-ending knee?

Sources: UFC-Twitter, Jonathan Martinez- Fight History, Frankie Saenz-Fight History