Mana Martinez set for UFC debut, meets Jesse Strader on Aug. 21

Mana Martinez has a date and opponent for his UFC debut.

Two weeks ago, Martinez earned a UFC contract from promotion president Dana White, who was in attendance scouting his Fury FC title fight in Houston. On Aug. 21, he’ll make his promotional debut against Jesse Strader. The event doesn’t have a publicly announced location or venue at this time.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Martinez (8-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) enters with seven wins in his most recent eight fights. His lone loss in the stretch came against Drako Rodriguez on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020.

Strader (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) made his promotional debut in March and was finished in Round 1 with strikes by Montel Jackson. The fight was Strader’s first since August 2019 and snapped a two-fight winning streak.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup for Aug. 21 includes:

• Paulo Costa vs. Jared Cannonier
• Fabio Cherant vs. William Knight
• Austin Hubbard vs. Vinc Pichel
• Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval
• Austin Lingo vs. Luis Saldana
• Parker Porter vs. Chase Sherman
• Brian Kelleher vs. Domingo Pilarte
• Clay Guida vs. Mark Madsen
• Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Sasha Palatnikov
• Bea Malecki vs. Josiane Nunes
• Mana Martinez vs. Jesse Strader