Izzy Martinez
Martinez in 2025 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Israel Martinez |
| Born | April 23, 1982 Aurora, Illinois, U.S. |
| Website | izzystylewrestling.com |
| Sport | |
| Country | United States |
| Sport | Wrestling |
Event(s) | Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman |
| College team | North Idaho (2001–2003) Iowa (2003) |
| Now coaching | Izzy Style Wrestling Jackson Wink MMA Academy |
Izzy Martinez (born April 23, 1982) is an American former folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestler who is the current chief operating officer of Real American Freestyle. He also coaches at Izzy Style Wrestling and Jackson Wink MMA Academy.
As a wrestler, Martinez was a three-time IHSA champion in high school wrestling and a one-time NJCAA champion in collegiate wrestling.
In coaching, his teams at Montini Catholic High School captured eight IHSA championships. He was a one-time NWCA Coach of the Year recipient, and has been inducted into the NWCA Hall of Fame.
Early life
Israel “Izzy” Martinez was born in Aurora, Illinois to Jose and Betty Martinez.[1]
In July 1997, Martinez competed in both the freestyle and Greco-Roman competitions at the Cadet National Wrestling Championships.[2][3]
He wrestled for West Aurora High School, compiling a record of 116-1 and three IHSA state titles before being removed from the team for rule violations before his senior year.[4] Martinez reportedly had trouble making weight, leading to the dismissal.[5]
College career
Martinez began attending North Idaho College, where he compiled a record of 27-0 and won the 2002 NJCAA championship.[6]
He then committed to Iowa in November 2002.[7]
While in his first year at Iowa, Martinez was dismissed from the school after being arrested for public intoxication.[8]
Coaching career
Martinez founded Izzy Style Wrestling in 2005, an Addison, Illinois wrestling academy.[8] Notable alumni of the school include Kennedy Blades, Tony Ramos and Real Woods.[1][8]
He also coaches wrestling at Jackson Wink MMA Academy, where he has trained mixed martial artists including Holly Holm, Jon Jones, Erik Pérez, Sergio Pettis, and Yair Rodríguez.[9][10][11]
After working as an assistant at Montini Catholic High School under Mike Bukovsky, Martinez was promoted to the team’s head coach in 2010. [12]
In 2015, Martinez was named Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA).[13]
Before leaving Montini in 2020, his teams captured eight IHSA championships.[14]
Martinez was inducted into the NWCA Hall of Fame in 2020.[13]
After coaching Chad Bronstein’s son at a 2024 wrestling camp, Martinez was hired by Bronstein and Hulk Hogan as chief operating officer for Real American Freestyle.[8]
References
- ^ a b "Israel "Izzy" Martinez". Izzy Style Wrestling. March 4, 2026. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ Abbott, Gary (July 25, 1997). "Six double champions crowned at the 1997 HEALTHSOUTH Cadet Freestyle Nation". USA Wrestling. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ Abbott, Gary (July 21, 1997). "Champions crowned at 1997 HEALTHSOUTH Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals". USA Wrestling. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ Goodman, Jeff (July 16, 2000). "National news and notes". ESPN. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ Hanley, Reid (January 25, 2001). "W. AURORA STAR WRESTLER OFF TEAM". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ Johnson, John (February 16, 2002). "Iowa Central Returns to the top after 21 seasons; National Junior College Championships wrap up". USA Wrestling. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ "For college, wrestler picks different road". Chicago Tribune. November 16, 2002. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ a b c d Carter, Andrew (August 24, 2025). "Izzy Martínez built a wrestling empire in Chicago. Can he take the sport mainstream?". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ Pendleton, Mike (August 18, 2017). "Wrestling Coach Izzy Martinez: Passion Shown Through His Fighters". Combat Press. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ Segura, Melissa (April 25, 2013). "Jackson/Winkeljohn cornermen are crucial to their fighters' successes". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ Al-Shatti, Shaun (November 13, 2018). "Coach on Yair Rodriguez's harrowing war against 'Korean Zombie': 'Every fighter needs one of those'". MMA Fighting. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ "Montini names Martinez varsity wrestling coach". Daily Herald. June 18, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ a b "Israel Martinez, Class of 2020". Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association. May 11, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ Welge, Joshua (July 1, 2020). "Wrestling: 'I have a vision of doing better' Montini names Mike Benefiel new head coach". Shaw Local. Retrieved March 17, 2026.