It was UFC welterweight Anthony Rocco Martin ’s understanding that he’d be out of a job by year’s end. Despite a win over veteran Keita Nakamura in April, Martin got the message that when his contract obligations completed, he wouldn’t be offered another one. “(UFC matchmaker) Sean Shelby told us, kind of, pretty much, if I went out and won my next two fights, it didn’t matter – they weren’t re-signing me,” Martin (15-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) told MMAjunkie Radio. Seven years into his MMA career, Martin felt like he was just starting to master his craft, and he didn’t want to give up. So he took the message as a challenge and resolved to convince the UFC brass he was a worthwhile addition to the division. In successive appearances, Martin stopped Ryan LaFlare and Jake Matthews, two fighters once on the UFC’s radar as top prospects.
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With new UFC contract, Anthony Rocco Martin expects top-15 opponent after next fight – MMA Junkie