Former UFC Middleweight Terry Martin Leaves MMA for Boxing UPDATE

For now, at least, he's trying his hand at something new:

Martin, who's from Chicago, has given up his UFC dream for now and will step in the ring as a boxer for the first time Friday night as part of an ``8 Count Productions'' card. Martin will face Ricardo Upchurch at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park in a scheduled four-rounder. He'll fight at the 190-pound cruiserweight level, which should alleviate a problem he had making 185 pounds with the UFC.

``Boxing was my first love,'' Martin said. ``I started in mixed martial arts after wrestling in college at Northern Illinois University.

``It was a logical progression, but I've always had boxing in the back of my mind to get back to. Now's a good time to get back to boxing, my training and sparring have been very good and I have no problem making weight. At this point I'm more excited about boxing than I am in MMA.''

My only real question is about his payday. I'll leave it up to Brent and SC to chime in here, but I doubt the paydays are that different at this level. High level MMA and lower-tier boxing probably pay analogous amounts, no?

As for Martin, this is probably a good move. Gaining pro boxing experience can only round out his MMA game even more and it sounds like he needed the change. I'm sure if he wants to return to MMA or the UFC, he'll still have the talent to do so.

Good luck, Terry.

Update [2008-4-10 20:17:2 by Luke Thomas]:: Terry is not leaving MMA. He's just on temporary hiatus. An update from Terry's grappling coach sent to this writer:

I have been the grappling/MMA coach for Terry Martin for the last 2 and a half years. Terry wants everybody to know that he is training full time in MMA getting ready for his May 17th fight in Newcastle England against THE CROW and that boxing is only a way for him to stay active .His goal is to win a few fights outside the UFC and return to compete for the 185 lb title.