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Ahead of his clash with Rafael Fiziev, Manuel Torres reflects on his rise, UFC success and why intelligence, not aggression alone, will be crucial in his biggest fight.
Manuel Torres (Picture Credit: IG/locoufc)
Manuel Torres insists he is under no illusions about the size of the task awaiting him, but the Mexican believes his steady progression through the UFC has prepared him for exactly this kind of challenge. Having strung together first-round finishes over Chris Duncan, Drew Dober and Grant Dawson, Torres views every contest as another step forward rather than a defining moment.
“The level has been going up and up with each fighter,” Torres said while responding to a query from News18. “We’re in the toughest and the best organisation in the world, so the challenges are only going to get harder from here.”
The comment gives an indication that Torres, as a fighter, understands that his aggressive style did earn him opportunities, but now recognises that sustained success will depend on adapting against elite competitors rather than simply overwhelming them early.
Torres enters the contest with a professional record of 17-3 and has built a reputation as one of the UFC‘s quickest finishers.
16 of his 17 victories have come inside the opening round, while nine wins have been by knockout and seven by submission. He averages 7.29 significant strikes landed per minute with 54 per cent striking defence, and all five of his UFC victories have earned Performance of the Night bonuses. Those numbers have reinforced his reputation as an explosive finisher, something Torres himself readily accepts.
“I think it’s an accurate way to describe me,” he said. “I finish my fights really early, so I think it fits in well.”
Fiziev, meanwhile, arrives as the No. 11-ranked lightweight with a 13-5 record.
The Azerbaijani averages 4.71 significant strikes landed per minute with 52 per cent striking accuracy and owns victories over established contenders including Rafael dos Anjos and Renato Moicano.
Although Torres acknowledged the quality of the challenge ahead, he remains convinced that preparation will be the deciding factor. He praised his opponent’s technical striking, particularly the speed of the kicks and hands, but suggested his team had identified areas they believe they can exploit.
“He’s very technical, his kicks are very fast, obviously very good with his hands, but I think he has some holes that we’ve been working on… and we’re ready for him,” Torres said.
Known for explosive first-round finishes, Torres also hinted that patience could be as important as aggression.
While he reiterated that he’s prepared to fight for the full five rounds if necessary, he stressed that discipline and not urgency will decide the outcome.
“The smartest fighter… the one that has a more intelligent game plan… is the one that comes out victorious,” he said.
Unlike his bouts, Torres’ rise to this point has been gradual rather than meteoric.
Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, he turned professional in 2014, at the age of 19, and earned titles on the regional circuit before securing a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series.
He made his UFC debut in 2022 and quickly established himself as one of the promotion’s most entertaining lightweights through a succession of first-round stoppages.
Reflecting on his journey, Torres believes the defining moment came much earlier than most would expect.
Having always loved combat sports, he accepted a professional fight after just 12 days of MMA training. “People have always told me that I was good at this,” he recalled. “I’ve always loved fighting… and I think the moment was when I took a professional fight in 12 days after training MMA. I just thought, ‘This is it. I love this. I want to continue to do this.'”
His motivation has always been rooted in a desire to accomplish bigger things while crediting the support of those around him for pushing him to keep evolving.
“Life has ups and downs,” he said, “but I get very motivated by the people that have been by my side… and to get better every single time, to evolve, to get bigger and better things.”
Among his career highlights, Torres still places winning a championship early in his career among his proudest achievements, but he believes his knockout of Nikolas Motta remains the standout moment inside the Octagon.
“Getting to the championship was very historic for me,” he said. “But I think the knockout that I had of Nikolas Motta was amazing and one of the best knockouts in UFC history.”
The UFC, Torres admits, has transformed his life in ways he could scarcely have imagined.
“The UFC was a life changer. It changed my life completely,” he said. “People recognise me in the streets now… financially it has changed my life,” he said.
Had fighting not worked out, he believes he would have continued his education and pursued a professional career, or perhaps even taken up basketball instead.
Away from the Octagon, Torres enjoys spending time with his family and embracing a slower pace whenever his training schedule allows.
“I first of all, I love to spend time with my family, just love to be with them,” he said.
Beyond that, he enjoys good food, visiting the shooting range and riding ATVs, interests that provide a welcome break from the demands of life as a UFC athlete.
“I just enjoy doing different things,” he concluded.
Watch UFC Fight Night – Fiziev vs. Torres on June 27th 2026, from 9:30 PM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil, Telugu), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD Kannada and Sony LIV.
About the Author
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
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