Joe Martinez is comfortable with his position as the UFC’s No. 2 octagon announcer, but his excitement turns up when a new opportunity comes his way.
For Martinez in 2026, that has meant a few more chances to do full-arena shows instead of being confined to the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. He recently went viral for his main event introductions during Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates at UFC Fight Night 275 this month, and later this year he will get another chance to turn up.
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With UFC gearing up for its fourth annual Noche UFC event in September (date and location still to be determined), Martinez has revealed that he will get the chance to work the event and lean into his Latino heritage.
“I think I’m booked up until September,” Martinez told MMA Junkie Radio. “I usually have a good five months or so that I know what’s going on. I got Noche this year for the first time. I’m kind of thinking what I’m going to say. I better not disclose too much. They might say, ‘We’re not going to use you for Noche this time.'”
Martinez’s schedule is quickly filling up with not just UFC events, but also Zuffa Boxing cards. He has a passion for all sides of combat sports, but he admits the flourishing boxing entity is starting to carve a special place in his heart, because his role there is a prominent one.
“MMA, I don’t feel it’s my place. I just embrace the position I have and accept it for what it is. I’m the No. 2 guy and, heck, I’m good with No. 2,” Martinez said. “I don’t mind that. Zuffa Boxing, when it was presented to me, it was like, ‘You’re the No. 1 guy. You are the guy. There’s no backups, no fill-ins. That’s it.’ I take a lot of pride in that. They’re trusting me with a project that could become something massive. To put me as the main guy for it, it carries a lot of weight on me to make sure I’m performing.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Joe Martinez ‘good with No. 2’ role, ready for first Noche UFC in 2026
