The Stage Is Set
On March 7, 2026, Zé "The Boogeyman" Machado (4-0) steps into the cage at the Madrid Arena to face Michel "La Furia" Martinez (4-1) on the WOW 27 card. For the 26-year-old Portuguese lightweight, this is a step up in competition and the biggest test of his young professional career.
Machado's Path
Since turning professional in February 2024, Machado has been nothing short of spectacular. Four fights, four finishes — all in the first round. The IMMAF 2023 Senior World Champion (Tirana, Albania) brings elite-level grappling and devastating finishing instincts that have overwhelmed every opponent so far.
Machado at a Glance
- Pro Record: 4-0 (2 KO/TKO, 2 SUB)
- Finish Rate: 100% — all in R1
- Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
- Team: Academia Unlimited, Barreiro, Portugal
- Last Fight: SUB (Guillotine Choke) R1 4:30 vs Enrique Exposito at WOW 25 (Dec 2025)
The Opponent: Michel "La Furia" Martinez
Martinez (4-1) is a 36-year-old Spanish lightweight fighting out of The Goat Shed Academy. He's a pure knockout artist — all four of his wins have come by TKO, including a spectacular 28-second head kick KO of Jose Antonio Ibáñez in November 2024. His only loss came via submission (rear-naked choke) in round 2 against Anthony DeSilva in April 2025.
At 5'11", Martinez holds a significant height advantage over the 5'6" Machado. He'll also have the Madrid crowd behind him. This is a dangerous fight for both men.
Martinez at a Glance
- Pro Record: 4-1 (4 KO/TKO, 0 SUB, 0 DEC)
- Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
- Age: 36
- Team: The Goat Shed Academy
- From: Tudela, Navarre, Spain
Keys to Victory
Machado: Close the distance early, use level changes and grappling to negate Martinez's reach. His wrestling and ground-and-pound have been unstoppable so far.
Martinez: Keep it standing, use his jab and range, and make Machado pay for coming forward. If he can land clean early, his power is legitimate.
Where to Watch
WOW 27 takes place at the Madrid Arena in Madrid, Spain. The event also features a WOW Lightweight Championship main event between Brian Hooi and Miguel Angel Lozano. Check the WOW FC platform for streaming details.