#5
Miguel Angel Torres
Summary: Striking, submissions, knee
Fighter Info
From: | East Chicago, Indiana USA |
Age: | 30 |
Height: | 5' 9" ( 175 cm ) |
Weight: | 135 lb ( 61 kg ) |
College: | Purdue University |
Degree: | Marketing |
For a number of years Torres fought primarily in small, unsanctioned events held in Northwest Indiana nightclubs and bars. As a result, much of his early fighting career is undocumented. Prior to signing with the WEC, he fought often on Chicago-area shows, including the Total Fight Challenge and the Ironheart Crown. He held the bantamweight title in both of these organizations for several years and his participation in those events is well documented.
After fighting for several years, Torres sought guidance and training under Carlson Gracie, Senior. 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.
Torres received several offers to fight overseas in Brazil and Japan after the challenge was issued. Because these offers were not lucrative, he turned them down and continued to fight locally instead.
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 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 undisputed champion at 135.
Following the defeat of Beebe, Torres successfully defended his title with back-to-back TKO victories; one over Yoshiro Maeda in an exciting war and the other over the previously-undefeated Manny Tapia. It capped off a 2008 where Torres earned Breakthrough Fighter of the Year honors from Sherdog.com. [1]
Torres fought Takeya Mizugaki in the main event of WEC 40 on April 5, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois and won by unanimous decision to retain his belt. Mizugaki seemingly surprised Torres with his proficient boxing skills and solid takedown defense, stuffing many attempts from the champion. Torres showed his prowess with striking, finding a home for his muay thai knees in the challenger's midsection, whilst becoming more accurate with his boxing. Both fighters displayed great heart in a competitive bout where Torres’ standup skills proved too much for his opponent.
Next in line to fight Torres for his title was Brian Bowles, who was replaced by Mizugaki due to an injury sustained by Bowles. 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 and had Bowles hurt badly with a one-two combo but as he rushed in to finish Bowles he would get countered and knocked out in a mild upset. The loss snapped Torres' streak of 17 consecutive victories and marked his first loss at 135 lbs.
On March 6, 2010 at WEC 47,[4] Torres faced and was defeated by Joseph Benavidez, via guillotine choke in the second round.[5]
Torres faced Charlie Valencia on September 30, 2010 at WEC 51.[6] He won the fight via submission in the second round.
On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[7]
Torres made his promotional debut against fellow WEC veteran Antonio Banuelos on February 5, 2011 at UFC 126.[8] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Torres was expected to face Brad Pickett on May 28, 2011 at UFC 130.[9] However, Pickett was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Demetrious Johnson.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_Torres
After fighting for several years, Torres sought guidance and training under Carlson Gracie, Senior. 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.
Torres received several offers to fight overseas in Brazil and Japan after the challenge was issued. Because these offers were not lucrative, he turned them down and continued to fight locally instead.
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 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 undisputed champion at 135.
Following the defeat of Beebe, Torres successfully defended his title with back-to-back TKO victories; one over Yoshiro Maeda in an exciting war and the other over the previously-undefeated Manny Tapia. It capped off a 2008 where Torres earned Breakthrough Fighter of the Year honors from Sherdog.com. [1]
Torres fought Takeya Mizugaki in the main event of WEC 40 on April 5, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois and won by unanimous decision to retain his belt. Mizugaki seemingly surprised Torres with his proficient boxing skills and solid takedown defense, stuffing many attempts from the champion. Torres showed his prowess with striking, finding a home for his muay thai knees in the challenger's midsection, whilst becoming more accurate with his boxing. Both fighters displayed great heart in a competitive bout where Torres’ standup skills proved too much for his opponent.
Next in line to fight Torres for his title was Brian Bowles, who was replaced by Mizugaki due to an injury sustained by Bowles. 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 and had Bowles hurt badly with a one-two combo but as he rushed in to finish Bowles he would get countered and knocked out in a mild upset. The loss snapped Torres' streak of 17 consecutive victories and marked his first loss at 135 lbs.
On March 6, 2010 at WEC 47,[4] Torres faced and was defeated by Joseph Benavidez, via guillotine choke in the second round.[5]
Torres faced Charlie Valencia on September 30, 2010 at WEC 51.[6] He won the fight via submission in the second round.
On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[7]
Torres made his promotional debut against fellow WEC veteran Antonio Banuelos on February 5, 2011 at UFC 126.[8] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Torres was expected to face Brad Pickett on May 28, 2011 at UFC 130.[9] However, Pickett was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Demetrious Johnson.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_Torres
