What's Hot

    Kai Kara-France suffers split-decision loss in Fight Night Vegas main event.

    June 4, 2023
    Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    WATCH: Jamie Mullarkey finished by TKO in Round 2 at UFC Vegas 74

    June 4, 2023

    Diellon Lihari captures Demolition title, Winona Greenhalgh scores title defence – Demolition Fight Series 10 results

    May 29, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Fight News Australia
    • Home
    • News
    • Events
    • Results
    • Interviews
    • Videos
    • Contact FNA
    Fight News Australia
    Home»Interviews»‘Dedication and hard work will put you here’ Diandra Martin talks her fighting family ahead of ONE US debut
    Interviews

    ‘Dedication and hard work will put you here’ Diandra Martin talks her fighting family ahead of ONE US debut

    Joel RasmussenBy Joel RasmussenApril 30, 2023No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Reddit

    ‘I’m living a dream. I get to travel the world and fight.’ Says Diandra Martin, a week out from her first fight in the United States. She is set to face former ONE Strawweight Muay Thai title challenger Jackie Buntan at ONE’s inaugural show in the US; ONE Fight Night 10 in Colorado.

    Martin called out Buntan after her victory over Amber Kitchen at ONE Fight Night 1 last year, and believes a victory over Buntan is her opportunity to make a big statement in the strawweight division.

    ‘I called Jackie out in my last fight against Amber because she’s a good fighter. She’s made a name for herself in ONE, and if you want to get anywhere you have to challenge yourself and she’s going to be a challenge, that why I’ve called her out.  She’s got beautiful movement; she’s got beautiful hands. I want to put her to the test just as much as she’s going to put me to the test.’ Said Martin.

    YouTube player

    Martin started Muay Thai when a friend brought her to a gym on a whim, where she fell in love with the sport. A year later she recruited her younger sister Devina to join the gym, and now both sisters are under contract with ONE. Diandra said having a training partner so similar in terms of height and weight has been a great benefit in this camp.

    ‘[Devina]’s very close in my weight so she’s one of my training partners…It was great to spar in the little gloves with her because she’s roughly the same height as Jackie and moves the same way as her.’

    Although sparing between the sisters can get rough, Martin says the rivalry between the two stays in the gym.

    ‘It’s great. We can train hard and punch each other in the face then be fine when we go home. We’re sweet after. It’s a great dynamic and I tell people I’ve found the loophole because I can hit my sibling without getting in trouble by my parents.’

    This fight will be Martin’s third fight in ONE championship, her first being a loss to current Strawweight champion Smilla Sundell, and Martin says she’s more focused on stepping into the cage than ever heading into this fight.

    ‘There’s so much happening, from my last fight against Smilla on ONE to now. I know to be a bit more focused and channel my energy towards the task at hand. I just remember thinking “Oh there’s so many bright lights and all of this.” And things like that, but now I’m just like “That’s a cool fight, I’ll watch it after I win.”’

    Despite this focus, Martin is still aware of the stage she is fighting on, and just how much she’s sacrificed to make it to the world stage.

    ‘Dedication and hard work will put you here. I’ve lost many friends, I’ve lost many relationships and things like that because people couldn’t handle how much I needed to train. If you’re an athlete and you have a dream of going somewhere you’re going to give it your all because in a couple of years’ time when you’re not competing or you’re looking back on your life, do you want to say you’ve done the bare minimum? You want to say “I did everything I could” or “I’m a world champ” and things like that. These are things you’re going to look back on…If you surround yourself with likeminded people, people with the same passion, the same drive, that’s going to help you…they’re the people close to my heart.’

    Martin will face Buntan at ONE Fight Night 10, broadcast via the 7plus app on Saturday May 6th.

    Diandra Martin (Fighter) Featured Article One Championship (Promotion)
    Joel Rasmussen
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    MMA journalist from the southeast of Melbourne, Australia. I endeavour to help grow the popularity of Mixed Martial Arts in Australia through my analysis of fights, interviews, and recollection of the sport's history. Along with covering the sport, I train in striking and grappling as a way to deepen my understanding and appreciation of the sport I love.

    Related Posts

    June 4, 2023

    Kai Kara-France suffers split-decision loss in Fight Night Vegas main event.

    Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
    June 4, 2023

    WATCH: Jamie Mullarkey finished by TKO in Round 2 at UFC Vegas 74

    May 29, 2023

    Diellon Lihari captures Demolition title, Winona Greenhalgh scores title defence – Demolition Fight Series 10 results

    Add A Comment

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Quick News

    Kai Kara-France suffers split-decision loss in Fight Night Vegas main event.

    June 4, 2023

    Diellon Lihari captures Demolition title, Winona Greenhalgh scores title defence – Demolition Fight Series 10 results

    May 29, 2023

    Tyson Harrison to headline ONE Friday Fights 18 this weekend

    May 22, 2023

    Amena Hadaya earns decision victory at UAE Warriors 41

    May 20, 2023

    Celest Hansen takes split decision over Dani Fall in wild brawl

    May 19, 2023

    UFC 293 confirmed for Sydney on September 10, three pay-per-view events scheduled until 2027

    May 18, 2023

    Celest Hansen returns to action at ONE Friday Fights 17 this week

    May 15, 2023

    Jessica-Rose Clark succumbs to a submission loss against Tainara Lisboa at UFC Charlotte

    May 14, 2023

    Carlos Ulberg secures another first-round knockout against Ihor Potieria at UFC Charlotte

    May 14, 2023

    ‘There’s no limit for me right now’ – HEX featherweight champion Kaan Ofli talks Dana Whites Contender Series, fighting overseas, and overcoming hardships

    May 10, 2023
    Upcoming Events
    1. PFL 4: 2023 Regular Season

      June 9
    2. XFC 66 (Fight Card and Ticket Information)

      June 10
    3. Eternal MMA 76 (Fight Card and Ticket Information)

      June 10
    4. PFL 5: 2023 Regular Season

      June 17
    5. Beatdown Promotions 4 (Fight Card and Ticket Information)

      June 24

    View All Events

    Latest Results

    Kai Kara-France suffers split-decision loss in Fight Night Vegas main event.

    June 4, 2023

    Diellon Lihari captures Demolition title, Winona Greenhalgh scores title defence – Demolition Fight Series 10 results

    May 29, 2023

    Amena Hadaya earns decision victory at UAE Warriors 41

    May 20, 2023

    Celest Hansen takes split decision over Dani Fall in wild brawl

    May 19, 2023
    Latest News

    Kai Kara-France suffers split-decision loss in Fight Night Vegas main event.

    June 4, 2023
    Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    WATCH: Jamie Mullarkey finished by TKO in Round 2 at UFC Vegas 74

    June 4, 2023

    Diellon Lihari captures Demolition title, Winona Greenhalgh scores title defence – Demolition Fight Series 10 results

    May 29, 2023

    Tyson Harrison suffers decision loss in ONE Friday Fights 18 headliner

    May 27, 2023
    Follow FNA
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Fight News Australia
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    © 2023 Fight News Australia

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.