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UFC Fighter Willingly Takes "L" On His Record To Give Man With Down Syndrome An Incredible Moment

UFC Fighter Willingly Takes "L" On His Record To Give Man With Down Syndrome An Incredible Moment

Isaac "The Shermanator" Marquez was victorious on his MMA debut.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

When Isaac Marquez walked into Jackson Wink Academy, a professional Mixed Martial Arts training facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the 32-year-old arrived with the sole intention of watching some of his idols in action.

What Isaac didn't expect was to form a unique friendship with a well-known UFC star on that day in December, 2017.

Marquez began a conversation with former Welterweight champion Diego "The Nightmare" Sanchez, a competitor who has been involved in more "fight of the year" bouts than any other fighter in MMA history, and things went from there.

Image: Instagram/isaacmarquezabq
Image: Instagram/isaacmarquezabq

In the space of a few minutes, Isaac had expressed his love for the sport to his new friend and the wheels were in motion.

"He came to just come and check out the gym and I told him, 'You like MMA?' and he said, 'I love fighting.'" he told KRQE.

"I then said, 'Alright. Well are you here to just watch or do you want to train?' He responded by saying, 'I want to train.' So, I said alright let's do this."

Sanchez would guide his friend through the basics of mixed martial arts on a regular basis in the gym, hitting the heavy bags and going through punching techniques. "Diego, he's my friend. My brother," Isaac said.

Image: Instagram/isaacmarquezabq
Image: Instagram/isaacmarquezabq
Image: Instagran/isaacmarquezabq
Image: Instagran/isaacmarquezabq

After five months of training, the UFC fighter decided it was time to arrange Isaac's MMA debut match-up - a fight against himself at Jackson Wink Fight Night 2 at Isleta Resort And Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a 14 minute drive from the gym where they first met.

"He believes it with all of his heart, so I am going to make it happen." he said before the bout.

"You know, he will be facing me, so I will be his opponent and we are going to have a championship fight."

Image: Instagram/isaacmarquezabq
Image: Instagram/isaacmarquezabq

Sanchez and Marquez, who was given the nickname "The Shermanator" ahead of fight night, eventually stepped into the octagon to a chorus of cheers.

Fans welcomed both men to the arena and the scene was set. It was a special moment for Isaac, not only because it was his MMA debut, but he wanted to pay tribute to his mother, who sadly passed away before the event.

"Isaac lost his mother to dementia and if you ever talk to Isaac he will show you his tattoo," Diego said.

"He is doing it all for his mom, and he is going to win the championship for his mom. So, that's the kind of heart that this kid has."

Sanchez began the opening round on the front foot, quickly backing his opponent up to the cage before securing a first round win via armbar.

"He worked that move a lot during his training. I just wasn't aware that he was going to pull it so hard and fast on me." the UFC fighter told Ariel Helwani on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour after the fight.

This remains one of the most heartwarming moments in MMA history.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: UFC News, MMA News, UFC, MMA