Newly signed lightweight Rad Martinez — the recent subject of a moving ESPN “Outside the Lines” feature — will make his Bellator debut at the promotion’s upcoming event on Sept.17.
Martinez will face Brian Van Hoven, Bellator confirmed on Thursday.
The event will take place at The Seminole Hard Rock & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.
Martinez has seen his profile rise after an ESPN feature that showed his dedication in taking care of his father, Richard, who was injured in a 1991 car accident that left him in a near-vegetative state. Since his grandmother’s death a few years ago, Martinez has been his primary caregiver, often at the expense of his own personal dreams.
Still, he managed to build a name for himself in the MMA world with a 9-2 record on the pro scene. A former Clarion University wrestler, Martinez just recently had an eight-fight win streak snapped by UFC and Sengoku veteran Brian Cobb.
His opponent Van Hoven is 7-3 in his pro career. After five straight victories to start his career, he’s alternated losses and wins since then.
Bellator 50’s main card bouts will be dominated by middleweight tournament quarterfinals. Among the fighters scheduled to compete in the eight-man field are Alexander Shlemenko, Bryan Baker, Vitor Vianna, Zelg Galesic, Brian Rogers, Sam Alvey, Jared Hess and Victor O’Donnell.