Last October on Contender Series, undefeated middleweight Torrez Finney stepped into the cage with another undefeated prospect. After just over a round and a half with Yuri Panferov, Finney had scored some wild slams, and a rear naked choke to take his opponent’s ‘0’ away. One thing he didn’t score, though, was a contract with the UFC.
Despite some highlight reel material and a finish of a tough opponent, Dana passed on the Agoge Combatives product. After some chats with management and his team, he came away with what needed to change for next time.
“Going into the fight, we had some individual conversations with my management team, I had some guys speak on my behalf with Dana [White], with Mick [Maynard], about what they were ideally looking for more of out of me,” Finney explained. “A lot of the things came up on the feet – it was stand up.”
The funny thing is, Finney has always known he’s had hands. However, when you’re fighting in MMA, there is no reason to take unnecesary risks. As a result, it never dawned on him to take the hard road to a victory.
“I’ve always told people, I’ve always had standup, but my best pathway to victory was to utilize my grappling,” he explained. “Me, as a wrestler, I’m always going to go forward with that, but I had the striking.”
Nevertheless, Finney took the criticism from the bosses and decided to show off those mitts. He took a fight with nearly 30 fight veteran Tyson Jeffries at Combat Night Pro Duval in May. The result was a absolutely violent one-punch, walkoff knockout. Not only was it a win that he needed in the way he needed it, but it also went viral in the MMA community.
Torrez Finney is him. Finney Army baby @punishertorrez #Punisher pic.twitter.com/DR2ZuCWIuD
— SickydoesMMA (@SICKYDOESMMA) May 5, 2024
“It was a special moment,” he said. “It’s funny, I tell my teammates all the time – I never thought I’d be one to have a viral KO.”
And with that viral KO, Finney immediately got the call for his second chance on Contender Series. Knowing now that he’s likely one win away from his dream of reaching the UFC, he’s ready to show out again.
“We know what we need to come in here and do,” Finney said. “I’m excited for the opportunity once again and I can’t wait.”
Finney fights Cam Rowston on Dana White Contender Series: Week 2. That fight card begins this Tuesday at 7pm EST on ESPN+.
