UFC fighter uses VR games to prep for Octagon battles
Mexican UFC newcomer David Martinez has found an unexpected training partner — a VR boxing game that helps him mentally prepare for the intense atmosphere of live fights.
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, UFC fighter David Martinez revealed how virtual reality has become part of his fight preparation routine. The Mexican athlete uses a Playstation VR 2 boxing game to mentally condition himself for the overwhelming atmosphere of UFC events.
"It’s a very different mental work," Martinez explained. "It’s very funny because I worked this mental compartment with my VR for PlayStation 5. I have one game where I’m boxing with the other guy and there’s a lot of noise. When I plat this game, I make believe it’s my next fight. That’s what I did for this fight."
The VR training proved particularly valuable in helping Martinez adjust to fighting in front of large crowds. His previous experience with Combate Global had been limited to studio fights without spectators, and even his appearance on Dana White's Contender Series at UFC Apex took place in front of minimal audiences.
The preparation paid off — Martinez defeated Saimon Oliveira via strikes at UFC on ESPN 64 on March 29, performing impressively in front of his home crowd in Mexico City. While Martinez didn't specify which VR game he uses, it's likely Creed: Rise to Glory, known for its Rocky franchise license and impressive virtual crowd atmosphere.
The growing bond between UFC and Virtual Reality
The connection between UFC and VR extends beyond Martinez. UFC President Dana White has endorsed "Thrill of the Fight" for Meta Quest as a workout tool, while professional boxer Tamuka Mucha and UFC commentator Joe Rogan have also praised VR training's benefits.
The sequel to Thrill of the Fight has maintained its position at the top of Meta Quest's charts, and the platform recently hosted an unprecedented match between an Olympic medalist and a VR boxer in the virtual ring.
The UFC-VR relationship looks set to deepen further. Earlier this year, Meta and UFC announced a multi-year partnership, with Meta becoming the organization's official "Fan Technology Partner." The tech giant already offers monoscopic 180-degree UFC content broadcasts through its VR apps Horizon Worlds and Xtadium, though currently only for US audiences.
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