Prediction: David Martinez via TKO
Martinez is an intense, aggressive fighter who throws every strike with the intent to hurt his opponent. Oliveira shares a similar style in that he also looks to damage his opponent with every strike, but the difference is that he lacks the cardio to sustain the pace he sets. That makes this a dangerous fight for him.
Martinez’s leg kicks, forward pressure and power will force Oliveira into uncomfortable exchanges where he can’t dictate the fight at his preferred pace. Once Martinez starts landing clean shots, Oliveira’s tendency to fade will be exposed.
Another major flaw in Oliveira’s game is his reaction to adversity. When he gets hurt, he doesn’t respond well—he often shies away from exchanges rather than digging deep and fighting through the damage. Against an opponent like Martinez, who is relentless and won’t give him time to recover, that’s a recipe for disaster. Once Martinez senses that Oliveira is hurt, he will pour on the pressure and likely find the finish.
With Martinez’s aggression, power, and ability to maintain a high pace, Oliveira simply won’t have the tools to keep up. Given Oliveira’s history of fading and his poor reaction to taking damage, this is a fight where Martinez should get the finish without much resistance.