Alex Martinez Is Eager to Test Former Champ Raush Manfio at 2023 PFL 3

To better prepare for his upcoming Professional Fighters League assignment, Alex Martinez moved to Canada and even trained with a former opponent.

On April 14, Martinez (10-3, 1 NC; 3-3 PFL) will lock horns with 2021 PFL titleholder Raush Manfio in a 155-pound clash. Martinez has been on the sidelines since August when he lost a unanimous decision to Olivier Aubin-Mercier, who would then go on to capture the 2022 championship. After their clash, Martinez moved to Canada, where he trained with Aubin-Mercier at Tristar Gym in Montreal. The pair are on good terms, and there has never been bad blood between the two, who always kept things professional. Ahead of his upcoming assignment, Martinez told Sherdog he’s very excited to face Manfio and believes his opponent carries a certain confidence from having won it all.

“He went from a lot more experience than he has ever been. He, all of a sudden, has that, how you say, that champion air. Since he became a champion, I'm sure he changed the way that he looks at himself. He's coming with that championship mindset. I'm really excited. I think I have all the tools in order to beat Manfio, it just comes down to go and get it done. I'm really excited, to be honest, I can't wait. Things are all clicking in together and I'm really excited. It's a good fight."

(00:00) Intro
(00:44) His daughter, Arlo
(01:21) Losing to Aubin-Mercier
(03:27) Hiring a nutritionist to solve his weight-cut issues
(05:18) Coming up with a diet on his own before hiring a nutritionist
(06:22) Acquiring more experience
(07:19) Training with Aubin-Mercier at Tristar Gym
(08:01) Preparing for Manfio
(08:59) Commenting on his fight with Collard
(10:30) Whether he expects to face Collard in 2023
(11:52) Outro