Manuel Torres
Vitals
Height, reach, and career background.
Record
Tap any fight for the breakdown.
LossKO
UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Torres
27 Jun 2026
27 Jun 2026
Torres stayed dangerous through a competitive first round in Baku, pressuring forward while Fiziev mixed in his own counters and takedowns in front of the home crowd. The fight changed instantly at the start of round two when Fiziev spun through with a wheel kick that dropped Torres, then followed with finishing punches before Torres could fully recover.
Key moments
- Round one was competitive, with Torres still marching forward even as Fiziev mixed in counters and takedowns.
- Fifteen seconds into round two, Fiziev landed the spinning wheel kick flush and dropped Torres instantly.
- Torres tried to rise after the knockdown, but Fiziev swarmed with follow-up punches to force the stoppage.
- The loss snapped Torres's surge toward the lightweight top ten and gave him his first UFC defeat outside the opening round.
WinTKO
UFC 323
6 Dec 2025
6 Dec 2025
Torres needed only one clean opening to turn the Dawson matchup. He stayed patient early, found the timing on Dawson's entries, and then detonated a left hook that put Dawson down before the follow-up hammerfists ended it at 2:25 of the first round.
Key moments
- Torres stayed measured early instead of sprinting straight into Dawson's wrestling range.
- A left hook landed on the button and dropped Dawson in the middle of the first round.
- Torres followed immediately with heavy hammerfists to force the referee stoppage at 2:25.
- The finish extended Torres's run of violent UFC stoppages and reinforced his first-round danger.
WinTKO
Opponent: Drew DoberpunchesR1 1:45
UFC on ESPN: Moreno vs. Erceg
29 Mar 2025
29 Mar 2025
Back in Mexico, Torres overwhelmed Drew Dober before the fight could develop into a drawn-out brawl. He hurt Dober early, swarmed with clean follow-up punches, and finished the veteran inside two minutes for another statement first-round UFC knockout.
Key moments
- Torres opened aggressively and found Dober's chin before the bout settled into range.
- Once Dober was hurt, Torres poured on straight punches and never gave him room to recover.
- The referee waved it off at 1:45 of round one as Torres closed out another fast UFC finish.
- The win re-established Torres after the Bahamondes loss and kept his Mexico City momentum rolling.
LossTKO
Opponent: Ignacio BahamondespunchesR1 4:02
UFC 306
14 Sep 2024
14 Sep 2024
Torres entered on a long finishing streak, but Bahamondes answered with the cleaner long-range striking and the bigger momentum swings. Bahamondes hurt Torres multiple times before closing the show late in the opening round, handing him a first-round stoppage loss in Las Vegas.
Key moments
- Bahamondes used his length to meet Torres on the way in instead of letting him build his usual pressure rhythm.
- Torres was knocked down more than once during the opening round as Bahamondes's counters piled up.
- With Torres already damaged, Bahamondes finished with punches at 4:02 of round one.
- The defeat ended Torres's six-fight winning streak and reset his climb at lightweight.
WinSUB
Opponent: Chris Duncanrear-naked chokeR1 1:46
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2
24 Feb 2024
24 Feb 2024
Torres showed the non-boxing side of his finishing game in Mexico City. After pressuring Duncan into a scramble, he climbed straight to the back and finished the rear-naked choke at 1:46 of the first round for another Performance of the Night bonus.
Key moments
- Torres forced an early scramble instead of letting Duncan strike comfortably at range.
- He transitioned quickly to Duncan's back once the fight hit the mat.
- The rear-naked choke was fully locked in by 1:46 of round one, forcing the tap.
- The finish reminded everyone that Torres's first-round danger includes submissions as well as knockouts.
WinKO
Opponent: Nikolas MottaelbowR1 1:50
UFC on ESPN: Vettori vs. Cannonier
17 Jun 2023
17 Jun 2023
Torres absorbed some clean early counters from Motta, then answered with one of the sharpest finishes of his UFC run. As Motta stepped into range again, Torres timed a standing elbow that shut the fight down instantly at 1:50 of the opening round.
Key moments
- Motta had early success, landing the better shots in the opening exchanges before Torres reset.
- Torres pawed his way back into range and met Motta with a perfectly timed standing elbow.
- The elbow landed flush and ended the fight at 1:50 of round one without the need for extended follow-up.
- The knockout earned Torres another Performance of the Night bonus and kept his UFC finishing streak intact.
WinTKO
Opponent: Frank CamachopunchesR1 3:27
UFC on ESPN: Błachowicz vs. Rakić
14 May 2022
14 May 2022
Torres announced himself in his UFC debut by meeting Camacho's brawl with heavier, cleaner offense. He repeatedly beat Camacho to the punch in the pocket, then slipped a return and dropped him with a left-right combination before the referee stepped in.
Key moments
- Torres hurt Camacho almost immediately with a left hook and never looked uncomfortable in the exchanges.
- He mixed hooks, uppercuts, and clinch knees as Camacho tried to force his way inside.
- A slipped punch created the finish, with Torres flooring Camacho off a left-hook, right-hook combination.
- The stoppage came at 3:27 of round one and gave Torres a successful, bonus-winning UFC debut.
WinTKO
Opponent: Kolton EnglundpunchesR1 2:10
Dana White's Contender Series 45
26 Oct 2021
26 Oct 2021
Torres controlled the striking from long range on Contender Series, picking Englund apart with low kicks, jabs, and straight punches. Once Englund retreated under the pressure, Torres dropped him with punches and finished the job on the mat to earn a UFC contract.
Key moments
- Torres used his reach well early, landing low kicks, one-twos, and a long jab before the fight broke open.
- Englund's takedown try led into a messy close-range sequence, and Torres quickly re-established the striking battle.
- When Englund backed straight up, Torres chased him down and dropped him with a pair of punches.
- Ground-and-pound forced the stoppage at 2:10 of round one and secured Torres's path to the UFC roster.
WinSUB
Opponent: Carlos Canadaguillotine chokeR1 0:25
UWC Mexico 27
11 Jun 2021
11 Jun 2021
Torres needed only seconds to finish the UWC Mexico main event. He caught Canada in a guillotine almost immediately and forced the tap 25 seconds into the first round for another rapid regional finish.
Key moments
- The fight was billed as the UWC Mexico 27 main event and barely had time to settle.
- Torres latched onto the guillotine during the opening scramble instead of giving Canada room to recover.
- The tap came just 25 seconds into round one, one of the fastest wins of Torres's pre-UFC run.
- The result kept his streak of early finishes alive heading into his Contender Series opportunity.
WinSUB
Opponent: Daniel Vegarear-naked chokeR1 1:03
RRR Promotions: El Combate 6
14 Mar 2020
14 Mar 2020
Torres made quick work of Vega at El Combate 6, turning the fight into another first-round submission win. He got to the back early and finished the rear-naked choke a little more than a minute into the bout.
Key moments
- Torres pushed the pace from the start rather than letting Vega settle into a measured fight.
- The key transition came when Torres took the back in the opening minute.
- Once the choke was locked, Vega had to tap at 1:03 of round one.
- It extended Torres's pattern of fast finishes after his 2019 setback.
LossSUB
Opponent: Carlos CalvokneebarR1 1:23
Crixus MMA 01
12 Sep 2019
12 Sep 2019
Calvo handed Torres a sharp first-round setback in Tijuana by attacking the leg early and finishing a kneebar. The loss came only 1:23 into the fight and interrupted Torres's run of quick regional finishes.
Key moments
- The bout ended before Torres could establish the aggressive rhythm that usually carried his early fights.
- Calvo found the leg attack quickly and forced Torres into a defensive scramble.
- The kneebar finish was secured at 1:23 of round one.
- It was Torres's first defeat since 2018 and a reminder that his all-action style also created submission risk.
WinSUB
Opponent: Luis Cervantesrear-naked chokeR1 0:53
Hardcore Fighter 4
23 Feb 2019
23 Feb 2019
Torres rebounded from the Mahatma Garcia loss with another immediate finish at Hardcore Fighter 4. He forced the grappling exchange he wanted, found the back, and ended the fight with a rear-naked choke in 53 seconds.
Key moments
- Torres came back from his previous defeat with obvious urgency and pace.
- He turned the fight into a mat exchange almost immediately instead of staying at range.
- The rear-naked choke was finished 53 seconds into round one.
- The win restarted his momentum and put him back in the first-round finish column.
LossSUB
Opponent: Mahatma Garcíaheel hookR1 0:59
Hardcore Fighter 3
3 Nov 2018
3 Nov 2018
Garcia caught Torres quickly in Cancun and finished a heel hook before the fight could become the kind of pressure battle Torres preferred. The submission came 59 seconds into the opening round and handed Torres an abrupt loss in the main event.
Key moments
- The matchup ended inside a minute, giving Torres almost no time to build offense.
- Garcia attacked the leg immediately and forced Torres into a fast submission defense.
- The heel hook finish was complete at 0:59 of round one.
- Torres answered the setback with four straight wins in his next appearances.
WinSUB
Opponent: Adonilton Matosrear-naked chokeR1 2:21
Beat Down MMA 3
18 Aug 2018
18 Aug 2018
After already going three rounds earlier in the night, Torres came back and finished Matos inside a single round. He worked to the back and closed the show with a rear-naked choke at 2:21, capping a two-win evening at Beat Down MMA 3.
Key moments
- Torres fought twice on the same Beat Down MMA 3 card and still found another finish in the second outing.
- He pushed Matos into grappling exchanges instead of settling for a tired kickboxing match.
- Back control led directly to the rear-naked choke finish at 2:21 of round one.
- The result completed a same-night split-decision win and submission win for Torres.
WinDEC
Opponent: Enrique GonzálezsplitR3 5:00
Beat Down MMA 3
18 Aug 2018
18 Aug 2018
Torres had to work much longer than usual in his first appearance of the night against Gonzalez. He went the full three rounds and edged a split decision, logging the only decision win of his professional career.
Key moments
- Unlike most of Torres's record, this fight reached all three rounds.
- The judges were split on the action, showing how competitive the matchup stayed throughout.
- Torres still got the nod after 15 minutes for the only decision victory on his ledger.
- He returned later that same night and added a first-round submission over Adonilton Matos.
WinSUB
Opponent: Julio Ramírezshoulder chokeR1 1:15
Hardcore Fighter 1
23 Mar 2018
23 Mar 2018
Torres stayed true to his early-finishing identity at Hardcore Fighter 1 by submitting Ramirez in just 75 seconds. He found the opening on the mat and closed the fight with a shoulder choke before the first round could settle.
Key moments
- Torres ended the fight quickly rather than allowing a slow feeling-out process.
- The decisive grappling exchange came early in the opening round.
- Ramirez tapped to the shoulder choke at 1:15 of round one.
- It was another sign that Torres's submission game was as dangerous as his striking during his regional rise.
WinTKO
Opponent: Orlando MacíaspunchesR1 4:21
The Art of Fighting: In Search of Glory
2 Sep 2017
2 Sep 2017
Torres spent more time working for the finish than he did in some of his quicker wins, but he still got Macias out before the first horn. Sustained punching pressure produced the stoppage at 4:21 of round one.
Key moments
- The fight pushed deeper into the opening round than many of Torres's shortest finishes.
- Torres still dictated the action with forward pressure and punch volume.
- The referee halted it at 4:21 of round one after Torres's punches accumulated enough damage.
- The stoppage kept his 2017 run moving and reinforced how often his fights ended before round two.
WinKO
Opponent: Andrés Bacabody kickR1 0:12
Red Cage 5
11 Jun 2016
11 Jun 2016
Torres produced one of the fastest finishes on his record when he blasted Baca with a body kick just 12 seconds into the fight. There was no extended exchange, only an instant opening and an immediate knockout.
Key moments
- The bout lasted only 12 seconds from the opening bell.
- Torres found the body kick almost immediately and ended the fight with a single clean strike.
- Because the knockout came so fast, Baca never had a chance to force a longer exchange.
- The finish showed how quickly Torres could end a fight even without needing follow-up punches or grappling.
WinTKO
Opponent: Jesús TejedaretirementR1 2:07
Red Cage 1
15 Aug 2015
15 Aug 2015
Torres stayed on the front foot against Tejeda until the bout was stopped on a first-round retirement. The contest ended at 2:07 of round one, giving Torres another early win during his first full years as a pro.
Key moments
- Torres kept the fight moving at a pace Tejeda could not match for long.
- The stoppage was recorded as a retirement rather than a one-shot knockout or submission.
- Officially, the end came at 2:07 of round one.
- It continued Torres's trend of ending fights before the opening frame was over.
WinSUB
Opponent: Raúl Armasguillotine chokeR1 0:50
World Best Gladiators 8
18 Apr 2015
18 Apr 2015
Torres made another early-career statement by submitting Armas with a guillotine in under a minute. The finish came 50 seconds into the first round and fit the fast-starting pattern that would define much of his record.
Key moments
- Torres did not need a long striking exchange to create the opening he wanted.
- He caught the neck in the opening minute and committed fully to the guillotine.
- Armas was forced to tap at 0:50 of round one.
- The result pushed Torres's young career further toward the first-round finisher identity he still carries.
WinTKO
Opponent: Ever AlvaradopunchesR1
World Best Gladiators 2
24 May 2014
24 May 2014
Torres opened his professional career with a first-round stoppage over Alvarado at World Best Gladiators 2. Even without a published finish time, the result established the themes that would follow him for years: early pressure, punches, and no need for the judges.
Key moments
- This was Torres's pro debut and it ended in the opening round.
- The official result credited him with a TKO by punches rather than a submission or decision.
- No later-round comeback was needed, because Torres ended it before round one expired.
- The win set the tone for a career built around quick finishes.
The Read
Style, strengths, and where this fighter stands.
Manuel Torres is a chaos lightweight whose game is built to end fights before opponents can settle. He storms forward behind hard combinations, elbows, and opportunistic front-headlock or back-taking transitions, which is why 16 of his 17 wins have come inside the distance and almost all of them arrived in the opening round.
The UFC run turned him from a Contender Series curiosity into a real divisional climber: he blew through Frank Camacho, Nikolas Motta, Chris Duncan, Drew Dober, and Grant Dawson before Rafael Fiziev finally dragged him deeper and stopped the streak in Baku. The upside is obvious every time Torres gets to dictate the pace; the next question is how his offense and defense hold once elite lightweights survive the first wave.