Richie Martinez says to expect fireworks against Sean Brady: 'People gravitate to somebody that goes for the kill'

'Boogeyman' had no hesitation facing the top UFC welterweight in Saturday's FURY Professional Grappling 12 headliner.

When submission grappling ace Richie Martinez was offered an opportunity to face top UFC welterweight contender Sean Brady, "Boogeyman" insists there was never even a second of doubt. Just send the contract.

"How can I not take this match?" Martinez asked. "It's a great opponent, a great promotion. There's no way I was going to say no. As soon as they sent me a message, I was like, 'I'm all in.' No questions asked."

Just like that, the two were paired up in the headlining bout of Saturday's FURY Professional Grappling 12 event, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Philadelphia's 2300 Arena.

For Martinez, the decision was simple. With Brady sitting at No. 4 in the current UFC welterweight rankings, the opportunity for a matchup with elite competition of that caliber was simply impossible to pass up.

"I always love challenging myself and competing against the best in the world," Martinez said. "Sean, I believe he's going to be a UFC champion, so why wouldn't I want to take the shot right now? It may be like one of those chances I may never get again, so why not go up against one of the best in the world?"

Martinez routinely tests himself against the best pure grapplers in the world, competing consistently for over a decade at the highest level of the sport. But the Eddie Bravo black belt is also a big fan of MMA and has faced a number of notable fighters along the way, as well, including the likes of Kevin Casey, C.B. Dollaway, Marcin Held, Kazushi Sakuraba, Jake Shields and Gleison Tibau.

"Boogeyman" says it's a thrill for him each and every time.

"Every MMA athlete that I ever faced, I respect greatly," Martinez said. "It's an honor to be on the mats with them, and that's why I take these matches."

Martinez, the 10th Planet San Diego Head Coach, won't have his full arsenal available at Saturday's event, as FURY Professional Grappling rules eliminate heel hooks and twisting leg locks against all UFC athletes since they are on loan from MMA's top promotion. That said, "Boogeyman" has competed under just about every grappling ruleset ever imagined and doesn't think that caveat is troublesome.

"It doesn't matter the rules, I just love to compete," Martinez said. "I just love to go out there and compete against the best in the world, right? No matter the ruleset, no matter the arena, no matter if I'm in his backyard or he's in mine, I just love to compete, and that's my main thing. Like, I was born to compete, you know? This is just another way to be able to showcase my jiu-jitsu, my grappling, against one of the best. Sign me up."

In this particular case, Martinez absolutely will be in his opponent's backyard, with Brady hailing from Philadelphia and expected to feature a vocal crowd of supporters. But even the venue excites Martinez, who cited the building's professional wrestling history as just another incredible element in this headliner.

"The 2300 Arena, that's ECW territory," Martinez said. "Even though that's his home court, wrestling is my home court no matter where it's at. I'm a big fan of professional wrestling, so it's like that place has history, so I'm going to feel right at home. Whether I get booed or whether I get love, at the end of the day, we're going to go out there, and we're going to have a war. Whether he gets his hand raised or I get my hand raised, people are going to respect us both at the end."

Martinez simply couldn't have asked for a better situation in his FURY Professional Grappling debut, and his enthusiasm is palpable. If things go as he's expecting, "Boogeyman" believes his aggressive guard play and Brady's powerful top game could provide a fantastic headliner in a matchup worthy of being the final contest of an incredible year of combat sports for the Cage Fury Fighting Championships brand.

"It's going to be a big match for grappling in general," Martinez said. "I'm going to go out there and put it on the line. Sean Brady, top UFC star, he's going to put it on the line. It's going to be a clash of styles.

"No matter who you are, no matter what kind of jiu-jitsu you like, this is going to be an explosive match and everybody should tune in. I'm very, very excited. I'm grateful to get the opportunity, and let's f-cking go!"