Miguel Torres (fighter)

Last updated

Miguel Torres
Born (1981-01-18) January 18, 1981 (age 44)
East Chicago, Indiana, United States
Residence Griffith, Indiana, United States
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
Division Bantamweight
Featherweight
Lightweight
Reach76 in (193 cm)
Team Tristar Gym [1]
Torres Martial Arts Academy
Jaco Hybrid Training Center (Blackzilians)
Trainer Firas Zahabi
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlson Gracie Jr. [2]
Years active2000–2016
Mixed martial arts record
Total53
Wins44
By knockout14
By submission20
By decision10
Losses9
By knockout3
By submission3
By decision3
Other information
University Purdue University
Children2
Websitewww.torresmartialarts.com
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Miguel Torres (born January 18, 1981) is an American former mixed martial artist. He is a former WEC Bantamweight Champion and also formerly competed for the UFC and Ironheart Crown.

Contents

Background

Torres was born and raised in East Chicago, Indiana. He began training in tae kwon do when he was seven years old and later attended East Chicago Central High School where he competed in wrestling. Torres also trained in boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. [3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

For a number of years Torres fought primarily in small, unsanctioned events held in nightclubs and bars. As a result, much of his early fighting career is undocumented. Prior to signing with the WEC, he fought often on local shows, including the Total Fight Challenge and Ironheart Crown. He held the bantamweight title in both of these organizations for several years and his participation in those events is well documented. [4]

After fighting for several years, Torres sought guidance and training under Carlson Gracie, Sr. As a trainer of many world champions, Gracie immediately recognized Torres's talent and took him on a trip to Brazil where he would publicly issue a challenge to the entire world. Long before Torres gained fame in the WEC, Gracie believed that no one could beat him at 135 pounds.

World Extreme Cagefighting

His first fight with the WEC came on September 5, 2007, against Jeff Bedard. Torres submitted Bedard in the first round with a triangle choke submission and then would go on to publicly request a title shot.

Torres would get one for his next fight and at WEC 32 he fought Chase Beebe for the WEC Bantamweight Championship. Torres displayed great striking and an equally impressive ground game and submitted Beebe in the first round to become the new WEC Bantamweight Champion.

Following his victory over Beebe, Torres successfully defended his title with back-to-back TKO victories; one over Yoshiro Maeda in an exciting fight and the other over the previously undefeated fellow Mexican-American Manny Tapia. It capped off a 2008 where Torres earned Breakthrough Fighter of the Year honors from Sherdog.com. [5]

Torres was next expected to face Brian Bowles in the main event of WEC 40 on April 5, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois. However, Bowles injured and replaced by Japanese newcomer Takeya Mizugaki. Torres defeated Mizugaki by unanimous decision to retain his belt.

Bowles was ringside at WEC 40 and was called out by Torres after his five-round bout with Mizugaki. The fight headlined WEC 42 on August 9, 2009, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Torres started out strong, but he rushed Bowles wildly, resulting in Torres being knocked out in a huge upset. The loss snapped Torres' streak of 17 consecutive victories and marked his first loss in the Bantamweight division.

On March 6, 2010, at WEC 47, [6] Torres faced and was defeated by Joseph Benavidez, via guillotine choke midway through the second round. [7]

Torres faced Charlie Valencia on September 30, 2010, at WEC 51. [8] He won the fight via submission in the second round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On October 28, 2010, the WEC merged with the UFC. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC. [9]

Torres made his promotional debut against fellow WEC veteran Antonio Banuelos on February 5, 2011, at UFC 126. [10] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Torres was expected to face English fighter Brad Pickett on May 28, 2011, at UFC 130. [11] However, Pickett was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by future UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson. [12] Torres lost to Johnson via unanimous decision (29–28 on all cards). While taken down early in the first round, Torres controlled the first round, but in rounds two and three was outstruck and controlled on the ground, resulting in Johnson receiving the victory. [13]

Torres faced Nick Pace on November 19, 2011, at UFC 139. [14] He dominated Pace, winning a unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).

On December 8, 2011, it was announced by UFC president Dana White, in an interview with SI.com, that Torres had been cut from the UFC due to the following quote from the TV show Workaholics made on Torres' Twitter page: "If a rape van was called a surprise van more women wouldn't mind going for rides in them. Everyone likes surprises." [15]

On December 28, 2011, it was announced by White after the UFC 141 press conference that Torres was back in the UFC. Regarding Torres' return, White stated that "Torres handled his business like a man and no one told him to do it."

Torres was knocked out by Michael McDonald on April 21, 2012, at UFC 145. [16] After the loss he was once again released from the promotion. [17]

World Series of Fighting

On September 6, 2012, it was announced that Torres was one of many fighters to sign on with the World Series of Fighting. [18] Torres made his WSOF debut on November 3, 2012, at WSOF 1 against Bantamweight prospect Marlon Moraes, he lost via split decision.

For his second fight with the promotion, Torres fought on October 26, 2013, at WSOF 6 against Pablo Alfonso. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Independent Promotions

Torres signed with Indiana-based promotion "United Combat League" in early 2014. He faced Giovanni Moljo in his debut fight on February 15, 2014. Torres won the fight via unanimous decision, snapping his three fight losing streak in the process. [19] He then faced Wade Choate at UCL: Torres vs. Choate on May 31, 2014. [20] He won the fight via guillotine choke submission. [21]

Torres faced Takahiro Ashida at Rebel FC 2 on August 1, 2014. [22] He won the fight via split decision.

GLORY

Torres signed with the GLORY kickboxing promotion's Featherweight (-65 kg/143 lb) division in May 2014. [23] [24] He was expected to compete in the Glory 17: Los Angeles - Featherweight Contendership Tournament in Inglewood, California on June 21, 2014 [25] but withdrew for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Marcus Vinicius. [26]

Titan Fighting Championship

In early October 2014, it was announced that Torres had signed a contract with Titan Fighting Championship. He made his debut on October 31, 2014, in the main event at Titan FC 31 against Desmond Green. Torres lost the fight via knockout in the first round. [27]

Training

Torres owns and operates a mixed martial arts academy in Griffith, Indiana where he teaches nearly 300 students. Among these students are several up and coming fighters whom he trains to fight in the same local shows that he once competed in himself. The academy specializes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

An article on Yahoo! discussed Torres' commitment to MMA, stating that before fights he sleeps and eats in his gym [28] While Torres was essentially his own coach and ran his own training camps over the duration of his career, after his loss to Brian Bowles, Torres stated that he planned to revamp his training methods by working with several professional coaches, including Mark DellaGrotte. [29]

Personal life

Miguel Torres is divorced and has a daughter born in 2007. [28]

Many fans have discussed the evolution of Torres' hairstyle; Torres stated in an interview that he adopted his iconic mullet from his father. Torres went on to say that, his father's mullet "is much more awesome than mine" and that the mullet "is a Mexican thing." [28]

Championships and awards

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
53 matches44 wins9 losses
By knockout143
By submission203
By decision103
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win44–9Lloyd CarterSubmission (guillotine choke)United Combat League: Havoc In Hammond 3September 24, 201612:44 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Loss43–9 Kleber Koike Erbst Submission (brabo choke)Rebel FC 3: The Promised OnesJune 27, 201524:40 Qingdao, ChinaRebel FC Featherweight Tournament Finals.
Loss43–8 Desmond Green KO (knee and punches)Titan FC 31October 31, 201410:46 Tampa, Florida, United States
Win43–7Takahiro AshidaDecision (split)Rebel FC 2: Battle RoyalAugust 1, 201435:00 Marina Bay, SingaporeRebel FC Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win42–7Wade ChoateSubmission (guillotine choke)United Combat League: Torres vs. ChoateMay 31, 201411:19 Hammond, Indiana, United StatesCatchweight (140 lbs) bout.
Win41–7Giovanni MoljoDecision (unanimous)United Combat League: Havoc in HammondFebruary 15, 201435:00 Hammond, Indiana, United StatesCatchweight (140 lbs) bout.
Loss40–7Pablo AlfonsoSubmission (guillotine choke) WSOF 6 October 26, 201313:05 Coral Gables, Florida, United States Featherweight bout.
Loss40–6 Marlon Moraes Decision (split) WSOF 1 November 3, 201235:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss40–5 Michael McDonald KO (punches) UFC 145 April 21, 201213:18 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win40–4 Nick Pace Decision (unanimous) UFC 139 November 19, 201135:00 San Jose, California, United StatesCatchweight (141 lbs) bout; Pace missed weight.
Loss39–4 Demetrious Johnson Decision (unanimous) UFC 130 May 28, 201135:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win39–3 Antonio Banuelos Decision (unanimous) UFC 126 February 5, 201135:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win38–3 Charlie Valencia Submission (rear-naked choke) WEC 51 September 30, 201022:25 Broomfield, Colorado, United StatesSubmission of the Night.
Loss37–3 Joseph Benavidez Submission (guillotine choke) WEC 47 March 6, 201022:57 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Loss37–2 Brian Bowles KO (punches) WEC 42 August 9, 200913:57 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesLost the WEC Bantamweight Championship.
Win37–1 Takeya Mizugaki Decision (unanimous) WEC 40 April 5, 200955:00 Chicago, Illinois, United StatesDefended WEC Bantamweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win36–1 Manny Tapia TKO (punches & elbows) WEC 37 December 3, 200823:04 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesDefended the WEC Bantamweight Championship. Broke the record for the most consecutive WEC Bantamweight Championship title defenses (2).
Win35–1 Yoshiro Maeda TKO (doctor stoppage) WEC 34 June 1, 200835:00 Sacramento, California, United StatesDefended the WEC Bantamweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win34–1 Chase Beebe Submission (guillotine choke) WEC 32 February 13, 200813:59 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United StatesWon the WEC Bantamweight Championship.
Win33–1Jeff BedardSubmission (triangle choke) WEC 30 September 5, 200712:30 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win32–1Darius TurcinskasSubmission (rear-naked choke)IMMAC 2: AttackApril 21, 200720:57 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win31–1Charles WilsonSubmission (triangle choke)TFC: Total Fight Challenge 7February 10, 200731:29 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win30–1Bobby GamboaSubmission (rear-naked choke)AFC 19: Absolution Fighting Championships 19September 9, 200612:52 Boca Raton, Florida, United States
Win29–1Derek CollinsTKO (punches)TFC: Total Fight Challenge 6May 5, 200612:32 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win28–1Richard NancooTKO (punches)IHC 10: TempestApril 29, 20062N/A Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win27–1Joe PearsonSubmission (triangle choke)TFC: Total Fight Challenge 5February 18, 200610:28 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win26–1Ryan AckermanSubmission (armbar)IHC 9: PurgatoryNovember 19, 200514:45 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win25–1Dan SwiftDecision (unanimous)TFC: Total Fight Challenge 3May 21, 200535:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win24–1Mike FrenchSubmission (triangle choke)SB 40: Superbrawl 40April 30, 200522:44 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win23–1Jim BrukettaSubmission (triangle choke)TFC: Total Fight Challenge 2February 19, 200522:08 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win22–1Alex KhanbabianSubmission (armbar)IHC 8: EtherealNovember 20, 200411:01 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win21–1Mustafa HussainiTKO (punches)IHC 7: The CrucibleJune 5, 200431:24 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Loss20–1Ryan AckermanDecision (unanimous)IHC 6: InfernoNovember 22, 200335:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win20–0 Lindsey Durlacher Decision (unanimous)IHC 4: ArmageddonMay 18, 200235:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win19–0Brian SzohrSubmission (triangle choke)TCC: Battle of the BadgesApril 13, 200213:36 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win18–0Craig WilliamsonSubmission (triangle choke)TCC: Battle of the BadgesApril 13, 200212:45 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win17–0Steve ReynaTKO (doctor stoppage)IHC 3: ExodusNovember 10, 200115:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win16–0Nick MitchellDecision (unanimous)IHC 3: ExodusNovember 10, 200125:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win15–0Danny LongKO (punches)TCC: Total Combat ChallengeSeptember 29, 20011N/A Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win14–0Patrick RodriguezSubmissionFFCC: Finke's Full Contact ChallengeApril 30, 200121:41 Highland, Indiana, United States
Win13–0Josh MasonTKO (submission to punches)Cage Rage 2April 14, 20012N/A Kokomo, Indiana, United States
Win12–0Mark JaromilloSubmission (armbar)FFCC: Finke's Full Contact ChallengeMarch 26, 200122:40 Highland, Indiana, United States
Win11–0David OdleTKO (submission to punches)FFCC: Finke's Full Contact ChallengeFebruary 26, 200112:05 Highland, Indiana, United States
Win10–0Danny AlexanderSubmission (rear-naked choke)FFCC: Finke's Full Contact ChallengeJanuary 29, 200110:58 Highland, Indiana, United States
Win9–0Jesse GudenschwaggerTKO (doctor stoppage)MMA Invitational 4November 18, 200025:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win8–0Chad BrattonDecision (unanimous)ES: Extreme ShootfightingSeptember 30, 2000115:00 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Win7–0Ricky OlsonDecision (unanimous)ES: Extreme ShootfightingSeptember 30, 2000115:00 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Win6–0Cory MerrimanTKO (submission to punches)ES: Extreme ShootfightingSeptember 30, 200011:27 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Win5–0Dan CaesarTKO (submission to punches)FFCC: Finke's Full Contact ChallengeAugust 28, 200014:30 Highland, Indiana, United States
Win4–0Kris KramerSubmission (triangle choke)FFCC: Finke's Full Contact ChallengeJuly 28, 200013:00 Highland, Indiana, United States
Win3–0Michael ReynaTKO (submission to punches)FFCC: Finke's Full Contact ChallengeMay 22, 200011:22 Highland, Indiana, United States
Win2–0Dan CaesarSubmission (guillotine choke)FFCC: Finke's Full Contact ChallengeApril 24, 200014:09 Highland, Indiana, United States
Win1–0Larry PulliamTKO (punches)FFCC: Finke's Full Contact ChallengeMarch 27, 200010:10 Highland, Indiana, United States

Kickboxing record

0 wins (0 KOs), 1 losses, 0 draw
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTimeRecord
2015-01-16Loss Flag of the United States.svg Angel HuertaLegacy Kickboxing 1 Houston, Texas, USA Decision (unanimous)33:000-1

References

  1. "Camp gridlock keeps Firas Zahabi from Miguel Torres' corner for WSOF 1". Mmajunkie.com. November 3, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  2. "The Official Website of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC)". UFC . Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  3. Botter, Jeremy (November 18, 2011). "The Real Miguel Angel Torres". Heavy.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  4. "MMA News - My First Fight: Miguel Torres". Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  5. "Sherdog's Miscellaneous Awards for 2008 - Breakthrough Fighter of the Year". Sherdog.com. January 10, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  6. "Event – WEC: Bowles vs. Cruz". wec.tv. December 19, 2009.
  7. "Miguel Torres vs. Joseph Benavidez set for WEC 47, likely to determine No. 1 contender". mmajunkie.com. December 31, 2009. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010.
  8. "Miguel Torres to Face Charlie Valencia in WEC 51 Co-Main Event". mmafighting.com. September 7, 2010.
  9. "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012.
  10. "Miguel Torres Takes on Antonio Banuelos at UFC 126". heavy.com. November 4, 2010.
  11. "Miguel Torres announces he's been offered and accepted a fight with Brad Pickett at UFC 130". mmaweekly.com. February 11, 2011.
  12. "UFC 130: Miguel Torres vs Demetrious Johnson booked with Brad Pickett injured". mmamania.com. April 21, 2011.
  13. "UFC 130 results: Miguel Torres vs Demetrious Johnson ends in controversy; did the judges cageside monitors help?". mmamania.com. May 29, 2011.
  14. "Nick Pace says he's fighting Miguel Torres at UFC 139 in November". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  15. "Dana White responds to Rashad Evans, Miguel Torres insensitive comments". SI.com. December 9, 2011.
  16. "UFC 145: Miguel Torres vs Michael McDonald fight announced". mmamania.com. January 20, 2012.
  17. Matt Erickson (August 21, 2012). "Former champ Miguel Torres released by UFC, signs with Titan for Nov. 2 home debut". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2012.
  18. "Torres Signs with the WSOF" . Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  19. "Video: Miguel Torres gets back into the win column, decisions Giovanni Moljo on Feb. 15 in Indiana". mmamania.com. February 17, 2014.
  20. "United Combat League returns to Hammond Civic Center". bluegrassmma.com. May 30, 2014.
  21. "United Combat League: Miguel Torres vs. Wade Choate". tapology.com. May 31, 2014.
  22. "Rebel FC 2: Battle Royal Card and Results". tapology.com. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  23. Georgiou, Andreas (May 8, 2014). "Former WEC champion Miguel Torres set to sign for Glory World Series kickboxing". Mirrorco.uk. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  24. Cole, Ross (May 9, 2014). "Miguel Torres Set To Fight In An MMA And A Kickboxing Tournament". Fight of the Night. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  25. Walsh, Dave. "Miguel Torres Added to GLORY 17 Tournament, Cro Cop vs. Kharitonov". Liverkick.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  26. "Miguel Torres Withdraws From GLORY 17". Mmamania.com. May 29, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  27. "Desmond Green makes quick work of Miguel Torres". mmajunkie.com. November 1, 2014.
  28. 1 2 3 "Miguel Torres talks mullets, sacrifice and daughters". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  29. "Miguel Torres:"Brian Bowles Just Woke Up a Sleeping Giant"". Fight Hype. August 11, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  30. "Sherdog's Miscellaneous Awards for 2008 - Breakthrough Fighter of the Year". Sherdog.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
Preceded by 3rd WEC Bantamweight Champion
February 13, 2008 – August 9, 2009
Succeeded by