Torrez Finney
The Punisher
USA
Suffers first pro defeat
Finney lost to Jacob Malkoun via unanimous decision (27-30, 26-30, 26-30) at UFC 325 on Saturday in Sydney, Australia.
ANALYSIS
The fact Finney was routed from start to finish in a fight in which he was a fairly minor (+120) underdog is a massive concern. He appeared to pop something in his leg early on which didn't help matters, but the result likely wouldn't have changed regardless. Finney has zero offense to his game other than his wrestling, and he attempted just one takedown this evening. He isn't going to win fights that way. It's just one defeat -- the first of his professional career -- but Finney's typical boring style of fighting isn't favored by UFC President Dana White, as evidenced by the fact he had to win two fights on the Contender Series to earn a contract with the company. Finney, at age 27, has less runway than your typical UFC newcomer.
The fact Finney was routed from start to finish in a fight in which he was a fairly minor (+120) underdog is a massive concern. He appeared to pop something in his leg early on which didn't help matters, but the result likely wouldn't have changed regardless. Finney has zero offense to his game other than his wrestling, and he attempted just one takedown this evening. He isn't going to win fights that way. It's just one defeat -- the first of his professional career -- but Finney's typical boring style of fighting isn't favored by UFC President Dana White, as evidenced by the fact he had to win two fights on the Contender Series to earn a contract with the company. Finney, at age 27, has less runway than your typical UFC newcomer.
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Slated to face Malkoun
Finney will take on Jacob Malkoun in a middleweight bout at UFC 325 on January 31 in Sydney, Australia, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Finney's most recent scheduled bout, a clash with Azamat Bekoev in August, was cancelled. Now, the fighter will get his next chance to step into the Octagon, where he'll look to build on his lone UFC win in his lone UFC bout -- Finney toppled Robert Valentin via split decision back in April.
Finney's most recent scheduled bout, a clash with Azamat Bekoev in August, was cancelled. Now, the fighter will get his next chance to step into the Octagon, where he'll look to build on his lone UFC win in his lone UFC bout -- Finney toppled Robert Valentin via split decision back in April.
Out of Aug. 2 fight
Finney (undisclosed) is out of his scheduled August 2 matchup against Azamat Bekoev at UFC Vegas 108, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Finney was looking for his second UFC victory in as many tries, but that opportunity will have to be put on hold. No reason was provided for his withdrawal. In the meantime, Bekoev will instead take on Yousri Belgaroui at the event.
Finney was looking for his second UFC victory in as many tries, but that opportunity will have to be put on hold. No reason was provided for his withdrawal. In the meantime, Bekoev will instead take on Yousri Belgaroui at the event.
Draws Bekoev in August
Finney will take on Azamat Bekoev in a middleweight matchup at UFC Vegas 108 on August 2, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
It took Finney three Contender Series wins to earn his UFC opportunity, but he finally got that in April, when he bested Robert Valentin via split decision in April. His style isn't the most fan-friendly, as he accumulated just four strikes deemed "significant" in that bout, but he did record eight takedowns and an impressive 13:16 worth of control time. Between that and his DWCS appearances, he has 26 total takedowns. Bekoev, meanwhile, is a striker and finisher, as his first two bouts have resulted in two first-round stoppages and an impressive 7.59 significant strikes landed per minute (Finney's mark sits at just 1.77).
It took Finney three Contender Series wins to earn his UFC opportunity, but he finally got that in April, when he bested Robert Valentin via split decision in April. His style isn't the most fan-friendly, as he accumulated just four strikes deemed "significant" in that bout, but he did record eight takedowns and an impressive 13:16 worth of control time. Between that and his DWCS appearances, he has 26 total takedowns. Bekoev, meanwhile, is a striker and finisher, as his first two bouts have resulted in two first-round stoppages and an impressive 7.59 significant strikes landed per minute (Finney's mark sits at just 1.77).
Wrestles way to debut win
Finney defeated Robert Valentin via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
This fight is a prime example of why Finney's style isn't for everyone and why it took three victories on Dana White's Contender Series in order for him to earn a UFC contract. Torrez landed 8-of-17 takedown attempts, good for 13:16 worth of control time. That said, Finney landed just four significant strikes. That is not a misprint. Valentin, who by the numbers spent just 1:44 of this fight not being in a advantageous position, won the total strike battle by a 93-17 count. Something is going to have to change moving forward, but it's unclear if Finney is capable of succeeding with a different game plan.
This fight is a prime example of why Finney's style isn't for everyone and why it took three victories on Dana White's Contender Series in order for him to earn a UFC contract. Torrez landed 8-of-17 takedown attempts, good for 13:16 worth of control time. That said, Finney landed just four significant strikes. That is not a misprint. Valentin, who by the numbers spent just 1:44 of this fight not being in a advantageous position, won the total strike battle by a 93-17 count. Something is going to have to change moving forward, but it's unclear if Finney is capable of succeeding with a different game plan.
UFC debut scheduled
Finney will fight Robert Valentin at UFC Vegas 105 on April 5, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Finney currently sits at 10-0 in professional MMA, including three wins in Dana White's Contender Series. The 28-year-old middleweight will look to keep his perfect record alive against Valentin, who will have a size advantage but is coming off a loss during his first UFC fight back in August.
Finney currently sits at 10-0 in professional MMA, including three wins in Dana White's Contender Series. The 28-year-old middleweight will look to keep his perfect record alive against Valentin, who will have a size advantage but is coming off a loss during his first UFC fight back in August.