Advertisement

Anthony Rocco Martin says Neil Magny is last fight on his UFC contract: 'Everything is on the line'

[jwplayer p5jbGM3r-FLu19iir]

Anthony Rocco Martin’s UFC contract will come to an end this weekend.

The welterweight fighter takes on Neil Magny on the main card at UFC 250 on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Martin (17-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) said the bout with Magny is the last of his UFC deal. Rather than feeling pressure going into UFC 250, Martin has extra motivation to do well and walk out with a victory Saturday night.

“Everything is on the line for this fight,” Martin told reporters during a virtual media day Thursday. “Every fight, I put so much pressure on myself to win and fight to the best of my abilities. So I wouldn’t say added pressure – I would just say added motivation.

“Sometimes, you have self doubt. But it’s easy to flip it going into a fight knowing it’s a lot easier just going into the fight I’ve done everything right leading up to it. I’ve been in training camp for like 14, 15 weeks. I’ve had five or six different fight dates, opponent changes, don’t know where you’re fighting or how you’re fighting. So everything is kind of different for this fight. But I’m a fighter. I’m going to get out there and fight anyone and I think it’s a great opportunity.”

Martin said he had no preliminary talks with the UFC about re-signing prior to the booking of his final bout. Oftentimes, UFC officials will approach fighters with one fight left on their deals to negotiate and re-sign with the promotion.

The 30-year-old has no idea why the UFC didn’t reach out, but regardless he plans on making a statement Saturday to re-sign with the promotion.

“I haven’t had any talks prior to this about re-signing,” Martin said. “I don’t know if the pandemic played a little bit or what happened, but this is my opportunity to show the UFC and show the world that this is the opportunity to break in the top 15 and kind of be in control of my own destiny. I’m in control right now. I win this, I’m inside the rankings and it definitely helps when going to the negotiation table and negotiate a new contract.”

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

More News