Undefeated Prospect Torrez Finney Makes His Debut
Torrez Finney has been one of the most talked-about prospects in MMA, and his highly anticipated UFC debut at UFC Vegas 105 is finally here. With an undefeated record of 10-0 and a dominant wrestling base, Finney has already drawn comparisons to some of the sport’s greats. His explosive style, relentless pressure, and overall physicality have made him a nightmare matchup for opponents on the regional scene. Now, as he steps into the UFC, the big question is whether he can continue his dominance against a higher level of competition or if holes in his game will be exposed.
Finney had a long road to get to the UFC. He would fight on Dana White’s Contender Series twice, where, after the second fight, Dana White would publicly berate him, saying he’s not good enough to be in the UFC. He would come back to the Contender Series for a third time, where he would earn his UFC contract. Finney’s background as a high-level wrestler gives him a strong foundation, but his success will depend on how well he adapts to the UFC’s deeper talent pool. One of the main critiques of Finney is his overall size; at just five-foot-eight, he would be the shortest Middleweight in the history of the UFC. His opponent at UFC Vegas 105 is Robert Valentin, who’s explosive and unpredictable. Valentin was the runner-up of The Ultimate Fighter 33.
Beyond Finney’s skill set, his arrival also represents an opportunity for the UFC to build a new star. His physical appearance made people gravitate towards him, but after Dana White told him he was not good enough, that really made the fans want to root for him. The UFC has always been on the lookout for marketable fighters who can generate excitement, and an undefeated prospect with a dominant style fits that mold perfectly. However, every fighter faces adversity at some point; in Finney’s case, it came straight from the boss before he even was in the UFC. If he can prove he belongs on one of the sport’s biggest stages, his debut at UFC Vegas 105 could be the start of something special.
