Las Vegas, NV — Mexican lightweight Manuel Torres made quite the impression at UFC Vegas 75 on Friday.
Paired up with Brazil’s Nikolas Motta, Torres (14-2) landed a step-in elbow to secure a knockout finish, his second stoppage in two UFC fights.
During his post-fight interview, broadcaster and UFC vet Paul Felder praised the finish. One fight prior, Michael Bisping had done the same after the lightweight had knocked out Frank Camacho — and Torres is very appreciative of the kind words from both.
“It’s so rewarding, so incredible that the veteran fighters come to us and say those things, even in the other interview as well,” Torres told media outlets including Cageside Press backstage at the UFC Apex following the bout. “It’s just amazing.”
While Torres knew a finish was possible, he was prepared to go the distance on Saturday.
“A little bit, yeah, but really at one point or another, I was thinking ‘this might go three rounds.’ I was prepared for three rounds, that we were going to take this the distance. But the opportunity presented itself.”
The opportunity in question, mind you, was something Torres had prepared for. “He was fighting really well. It was really an opportunity that presented itself. He was fine, he was strong, everything was okay,” recalled Torres. “We trained a lot with my team, he would come in with a three like that, and the opportunity was going to come for us to come in with a left, and then the opportunity came in for the elbow. Again, he was fighting really well.”
Next up, Manuel Torres, like many Mexican fighters, wants on the UFC’s September 16 event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “The 16th of September, I hope Dana White and Sean Shelby put me in there. Obviously we want to be in good condition for the fight, but 16th of September it is.”
September 16 is Mexican Independence Day, and celebrates the country’s declaration of independence from Spain on Sept. 16, 1810.
Watch the full UFC Vegas 75 post-fight press conference appearance by Manuel Torres above.
