Middleweight mixed martial artist Ivan Salaverry (12-4) will return to the Octagon to face Terry Martin (15-2) at UFC 71 on May 26, according to the latest rumor from MMAWeekly.com.
The 36-year-old Canadian was one of the bigger-named fighters, along with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Ryoto Machida, the UFC acquired from the World Fighting Alliance (WFA) late last year.
Salaverry holds a 3-2 record in the Octagon, with his last UFC fight against Nathan Marquardt — a unanimous decision loss — at UFC Ultimate Fight Night in August 2006 — a match up that fell way short of expectations for both fighters.
His last appearance was in July 2006 at the first and only WFA event, at which he scored a technical knockout of Art Santore in round two.
Martin, of course, ended his last fight against Jorge Rivera at UFC 67 in 14 seconds, knocking out the former The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 4 contestant and sending him to the hospital with some broken bones in his face.
The former light heavyweight is 1-2 in the Octagon, has tremendous punching power, and is extremely confident at 185.
With a win over a crafty veteran like Salaverry, Martin would be on his way to making a name for himself early in 2007 as a dangerous opponent within a crowded division.
Either way, it’s good to see Ivan return … it was a mistake letting him go in the first place.
March 11th, 2007
20 Comments »
I like both of these guys, but Martin, never know what your gonna get. Should be a good fight. Salaverry is another pancrase fighter, skilled in all areas, with really good standup for a pancrase guy. He’s gotten smarter over the years, going for the sub to save his body instead of pounding out KOs. I cant see him moving up, maybe possible, to 205, so eventually we should see Marquardt/Silva v. Salaverry. Awesome.
Side note - anyone else completely turned on bye some of these female MMAers? Carano, Mega Megu, Kedzie….
I love Salaverry, just a skill fighter. His fight with Marquatt was a big disappointment for all the hypes. Marquatt was a little more aggressive, so he won.
As for Terry Martin, big, strong, aggressive with good ground game, but Ivan is no scub on the ground either….remember the Strickland fight?? It should be a great match up.
I am beginning to believe in this cage v. ring issue. Next time they fight, they’ll be better adjusted. They both were tenative versus their usual styles, also. Big things, great fights in the future from both.
UFCmania UFC 71 is may 26th, not UFC 72… typo, we all make them
Yep, at least I got it right in the headline ;). Thanks for the correction, Jesse1.
didn’t lutter knock martin out?
no lutter knocked marvin eastman out
oh yeah
Martin is known, by me at least, for recieving one of the most devastating knees ever from Irvin. But, in his defense, I’m pretty sure he was winning the fight up until that point.
Also, in response to MoreThanUFC, Carano could mount me anytime she wants. Not like I would be able to stop her if she wanted to anyway.
i didnt kno ivan was in the WFA acquisition, but now that i do i have someone else to look forward watching. terry is a psychopath, cant wait for this fight.
I like Ivan as well. I loved it when he beat loud mouth Riggs. His comments about Ivan after this match is the main reason I dislike Riggs. He has no respect. The Tony Strickland fight was something else. How come nobody else has used this move as a submission since then, has the move been banned?
I think Martin is overrated, even though he knocked out Rivera. But a lot of people have done that. Ivan will out ground him and can easily stand with him. Martin was wrong to call out Swick cause he will get hurt. He’s gonna need some time to adjust to these smaller quicker fighters, he shouldnt be doing any calling out until he actually accomplishes something.
Either way GSP is money and almost untouchable.
Thats right I said it.
Salavary should dominate this one….i like the way he fights…Terry martin hasnt impressed me…Koing Rivera is a hard thing to do, but he would have impressed me more if he dominated him for 3 rounds…I give this one to Salvary, submission
I think it would be an awesome fight. Martin still has a lot to prove (since he’s still a fixture on the highlight-reel parade) but I think he makes a monsterous middleweight so expect fireworks. I hope the fight makes it to fruition.
martin will tko him easy. terry is a very good and underated grappler. Hes way too strong for anyone in this division with the exception of maybe franklin.
ivan is going to win this fight hands down.
i train with him every day an if you want to box he will take u to the ground an submit you. If u want to go to the ground he will stand you up an ko you. He is just too good in everything. I believe he is underated. he is the nicest guy
Ivan is very good fighter he needs to get shot for title.
I agree. I think Ivan is going to win for sure. I watch him train everyday as well andthe guy is just good at everything he does.
R U SERIOUS TERRY COULD HAVE EASILY TKO’D IVAN WITH HIS EYES CLOSED. AND AS FAR AS SILVA HE’LL KNOCK HIM OUT TOO.