Miguel Torres: 'If I'm going to lose a fight, that's the way I want to go out'
by Jesse Holland on Aug 12, 2009 11:19 AM EDT
59 comments
Props: FightHype.com
Quoteworthy:
"Brian Bowles just woke up a sleeping giant ... I pretty much coached myself and ran my own training camps. I hadn't lost in a long time, but after this loss, it's going to make me revamp everything. I just got off the phone with Mark Della Grotte and I'm working with a couple different coaches to make my game step up. (People) said I took too many punches after the fact, but you know what man? I talk to all of the referees before the fight and I let them know that's the way I want to go out ... I don't want there to be a question of if I was okay still or still awake ... I respect Rosenthal for doing that! People thought it might have been too much, but for me, it's not enough. Every time I go out, I put my life on the line and if I'm going to lose a fight, that's the way I want to go out. I want to go out!
Former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres talks about his stunning first round knockout loss to Brian Bowles at WEC 42 last Sunday at "The Joint" from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was a major upset. Torres — widely regarded as among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport — had not lost since 2003. He was on an amazing 17-fight win streak, which came to a crashing end courtesy of several unanswered bombs from the new undefeated champion. Torres defends the stoppage of referee Josh Rosenthal, who came uder fire for perhaps letting too many punches get through. Torres echoes what many fighters have in the past -- better late than too early. What say you?
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great to hear this from the former champ. hes a class act and i hope we see him again soon
by child on Aug 12, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So does Torres get an immediate rematch or will he have to
fight his way back to a title shot?
On/Off topic… what happend to Chase Bebe? Didn’t everyone think he was unbeatable until Miguel showed up – where’d he go?
by Big Zino on Aug 12, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he’ll get the same treatment as Faber…get a quality win over a quality opponent and then get another crack at the belt. Props to Torres for being a warrior and not making sny excuses for his loss and using it as motivation to make some changes in his training. It’s too bad Bowles will be out for a while with his hand. I would have liked to have seen him defend against Cruz. Maybe Torres/Cruz can be booked for the #1 contender match.
by Buster Bluth on Aug 12, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chase Beebe recently competed in the DREAM featherweight tournament. He got beat by a nasty cut on his forhead that was delivered by Joe Warren. He was 0-0 at the time making his pro debut. He is now 2-0, in the semi’s of the DREAM tourny and owns a win over the previously ranked #2 fighter in the division – Kid Yamamoto.
As for Torres, the prefight conversation with the ref telling him to not stop the fight unless he is clearly sleeping, is what I thought the case to be. Your “average” or “typical” mma fighter most likely wouldn’t have been given that much time to recover.
by ViolentMike on Aug 12, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
tORRES GOT ROBBED! it was just another bS Stoppage in mma! these damn refs and Judges need to get their heads out of their ass! For him to be robbed of his title in that way is just SAD!
by john G on Aug 12, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please tell me you are joking. Dude was completely unconscious!!! So you would have rather had him take more punches to the dome, possibly resulting in serious head trauma??? Torres said himself that it was a good stoppage!!! I’m pretty sure the guy that was there getting punched in the face had a better perspective than you watching tv at your mom’s house!
by tylerS on Aug 12, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve always thought that Torres was a lot more beatable than his record suggested. This next WEC main event (Cerrone/Henderson) is one of their weaker offerings IMO. Besides Brown/Aldo and Cerrone/Varner 2, I guess I’d like to see:
Bowles/Cruz (BW title)
Faber/Fabiano
And with the events of last weekend, I will update my P4P list:
1) Anderson
2) GSP
3) Fedor
4) Machida
5) Penn
BTW, I am a HUGE GSP fan, as every one here knows – and based on Saturday’s Jedi punching display I must reassert my insistence that GSP would be foolish to move up and fight Anderson. Yes, he has the wrestling to secure the odd takedown, but Anderson is too big, too fast and too accurate. It would be lights out for GSP. Some people are too blinded by their adoration of a fighter to see what is obvious. I am not one of those people.
by Jeremyjackson on Aug 12, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
dont you know? Real fighters Fight to the death! who cares about potential Brain Trauma? like seriously, the fight shoould have NEVER been stopped! As a matter of fact, Bowles should still be pummeling Miguels face as we speak!
That ref should be FIRED! and anyone who thinks the fight should have been stopped is just a Pu$$y!
by john G on Aug 12, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The idea of Bowles still beating on Miguel as we speak is a funny thought to me hahaha. Just never ending, how would anyone win? Would Bowles have to tap due to exhaustion of beating an unconscious Torres? lol
by Edgecrusher71 on Aug 12, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least he took it like a man and didn’t run out of the cage crying like a little bitch.
by TaPouT on Aug 12, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like this kid. I feel sorry for his next opponent.
by Dave O on Aug 12, 2009 11:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is what happens when top fighters train for a big fight with Bum ass Frank Mir…They get DESTROYED!!! Forrest trains with Mir…DESTROYED. miguel trains with mir….DESTROYED!!!
Frank Mir is GARBAGE! its all his fault! lol
Miguel: I appreciate your warrior spirit, but I lost half o my UFC 101 winnings betting on you. and I NEVER bet TOrres!
Im like “Eddie Mush”….“put him in the bathroom”-Bronx tale!
by john G on Aug 12, 2009 11:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
John, I dont think Miguel was training his standup with Frank Mir, now had Torres been subbed then I could see some validity behind your statement, same with Forrest.
by Dave on Aug 12, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dave I wasnt exactly being serious about it being all Mir’s fault….but basically I do feel that training yourself just doesnt cut it if you want to be in the p4p discussion. I have been questioning his hunger prior to this fight and I think training with Delegrotti at an actual camp will work wonders for him and elevate his game to an even higher level. I also believe that this will be a similar situation to when GSP got Ko’ed by Serra and came back stronger…Problem is that Bowles is NO SERRA! That Bowles kid is one bad Mofo. I expect their rematch to be epic!
TOrres will need to get a win under his belt 1st, because after losing like that, TOrres will probably be eager to get right back in action and I dont think he would be wiling to wait til 2010 when Bowles hand heals from being broken…So I expect to see Miguel take a fight in October/November….n then fight Bowles around February of next year.
by john G on Aug 12, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hahaha so true John especially with that last quote….great movie!!
but i see miguel coming back muchhh stronger….same exact deal as G.S.P after the Matt Serra fight.
that being said Bowles is a much tougher oppenent for torres than serra was for G.S.P so miguel is going to have to work super hard to try and take that kids belt.
by Blunt N' Beer on Aug 12, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
john ur only fedor fan left, srry to say but that means wat u think is of no importance..
by guyverbob on Aug 12, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok guylover. Feel free to skip over my posts anytime you would like. yOUR LOSS! I know there are a many people on this site that enjoy my posts…but hey, to each his own.. I do ask that we dont make this a silly back n fourth crap slinging argument. Lets just leave it at that!
I dont have the time to blog as much as I woud like anymore, so I dont want to spend what little time I have on this site, writing posts like this one! If you want to bump heads and argue with someone, get a new target…there are hundreds of people on this site that would be happy to do that sort of thing with you….there are also chatrooms. lol
If you however decide that you want to talk about something relevant, I would be happy to chit chat with you…Peace be with you!
by john G on Aug 12, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Waaaaaaa John…..please write even less on this site.
by Stinky nuts on Aug 12, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol! sorry to bother you stink lol. I cant do anything around here any more without getting bitched at!
by john G on Aug 12, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s because you can’t help but respond to every little thing. Stop feeding the trolls. Let it go.
by wAyNe on Aug 12, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
john now that theres finally some legit challengers down at 135 the results are showing! miguel got lucky and he was the first skilled guy at 135 helping to build up his legacy, but with mizugaki(which was a close ass fight until mizugaki gassed) and than the destroyer bowles, torres isnt the only top dog in that division. another year or so and there will be a bunch of legit fighters in that weight class
by Jared on Aug 12, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good for him. I hope he comes back hungrier than ever. I really wish these fights were televised live in my area, had to watch the re-runs.
by jay on Aug 12, 2009 11:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
dude Jay: No excuse or you missing these events live. If you dont get the channel in your area…log on to www.channelsurfing.com and you will get a live stream to all the WEC events, as well as all mma ppv’s!
Enjoy!
by john G on Aug 12, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just stay away from the comp. for a few days and still see the fights as new. I know about the free sites but I hate watching fights on my comp. the screen is way to small. I like the big T.V.
Since I was away from the computer since Friday or so….
How were the fights Kevin and Co?
by jay on Aug 12, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Channelsurfing took down the stream just as the Torres fight started. Bitches.
by PW on Aug 12, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I watched it on CS just fine PW!
Jay, you can always connect your computer to your TV, and watch the computer stream of the event on your actual TV screen
by john G on Aug 12, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Torres is a beast. His level of respect for the game even after losing in such a brutal fashion is commendable. Even after getting rocked early in that fight it seemed like he was still thinking he was untouchable. Torres seemed like he was getting lackadaisical. He just needs a challenge. Bowles has some serious power but I think we are going to see Miguel come back stronger than ever. The Hughes loss did great things for GSP and this will do the same for Torres.
by LJ on Aug 12, 2009 11:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good post, I strongly agree. But If we are going to compare Torres to GSP, I think the GSP/Serra situation is more similar to Torres/bowles. Only difference is that NO matter how hard Torres trains, taking that title away from BOwles is going to be very hard. Not saying TOrres cant get the belt back, because he is capable of beating everyone at bantamweight….THe rematch is going to be an absolute WAR! I cant wait!
by john G on Aug 12, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good for Torres. He’s taking the loss like a man. No excuses…he needs to work harder as younger, more hungry fighters come up through the ranks. I think the stoppage was great – Not too early and not too late. He’s a tough dude and wants to be given the chance to recover if able to. Rosenthal watched it as long as he could before he ended it. Good call.
by Dugout on Aug 12, 2009 11:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yeah, I agree. I had a bad feeling about that fight. TO me it seemed like TOrres wasnt focused for the fight. I made a post about it a few weeks prior to the fight were I said, Torres has been doing to many interviews and public appearences…and I questioned where his head would be at for this fight. I wont say he underestimated Bowles, but i did question how hungry he was and his focus….I OST ABOUT $300 ON ToRRES. mY bRAIN TOD ME bet torres, MY GUT TOD ME OTHERWISE…..should have listened to the Gut I guess!
Training with Frank Mir isnt going to cut it miguel. Happy to hear that he will put his career in Delagrotti’s hands! I would hate to be Miguel’s next opponent!
by john G on Aug 12, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Frank Mir is not the reason he lost John, he only trains with him part time anyway, I know you hate Mir, but your logic on this one makes no sense
by Dave on Aug 12, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kill Mir. He lost this fight for Torres and Forrest. The guy is an ass, John just happened to be vocal about it first. I’m sure everyone else will realize it soon and John will get zero props for being ahead of the curve. Oh Well, I guess.
by jay on Aug 12, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you Jay!
Dave: do you have any sort of sense of humor at all? No disrespect but, if you get that stick out of your ass, and smile…Life may be more enjoyable for you. GIve it a try!
Same fools that Defend Mir are the ones that Bash Werdum, when Werdum would beat mir 9/10 times!
by john G on Aug 12, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you guys notice that Mir seemed a little slow and stumbly in performing his announcing duties compared to his usual? One of those hammer fists must have landed harder than I thought.
by wAyNe on Aug 12, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I LMAO at Mir’s totally beginner-level-boxing assertion that a fighter must “always change levels when throwing a body punch because otherwise your head is exposed”.
Ridiculous. Changing levels is an option, but it actually exposes your head to other strikes such as uppercuts, knees and low hooks. Doing the same thing every time you throw a certain strike is a sure way to get timed and caught by an educated striker.
by Jeremyjackson on Aug 12, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
JJ….Truth. Mir is inventing his own ways to get KTFO. I hope he uses one of them against Kongo, cuz Kongo could use another win.
by jay on Aug 12, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree that Torres is saying all the right things after this loss. He has been respectful and not taken credit away from Bowles big win.
Even though I also credit Torres for saying the ref did his job, I disagree that the ref actually did his job. At the top of the list of responsibilities is to know immediately when a fighter is unconscious. Torres took 3 or 4 completely unneccessary shots with the ref being out of position.
by CL on Aug 12, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i was rooting for bowles, but Got nothing but respect for Torres, what a great attitude for a fighter, he is a beast physically and mentally
by Riskreturngroup on Aug 12, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
These pop-ups with audio that doesn’t turn off are mighty inconvenient when surfing at work.
by PW on Aug 12, 2009 11:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Torres will be back better than ever.
Let’s
See joe benavidez vs torres next
by phenomenal angel on Aug 12, 2009 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Torres will be back better than ever.
Let’s
See joe benavidez vs torres next
by phenomenal angel on Aug 12, 2009 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Chase has lost three straight. Torres, Ribeiro and most recently to Joe Warren in Dream. Don’t think you will be seeing him in the states anytime soon.
by LJ on Aug 12, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
torres is the man, almost makes losing cool..
by guyverbob on Aug 12, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think fighters know what’s good for them, sometimes. They just train so hard for so long and they want to win so badly that they don’t think rationally. Miragliotta’s early UFC 101 stoppage was a lot better in my book than that Rosenthal late stoppage. Do we really have to wait until the guy is KOed before the fight ends (not to mention taking several huge shots while unconscious)?
by frosnt1 on Aug 12, 2009 12:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Torres got rocked and apparently there are still a few loose screws. I hope they don’t hand him a stepping stone in his next fight. An undefeated champ is always interesting. how long before the p4p debate includes bowles?
by spitforce on Aug 12, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Torres had 17 fight win streak and hadn’t lost in 6 years. Has won in dominating fashion every fight I have seen exept the Yoshida fight (and obviously the Bowles fight). Point is people were just recently really giving him any P4P love that I have noticed. Bowles will have a long way to go. Faber was in that discussion for a while but not since Mike Brown beat him down a couple times. Give Brown a couple dominant wins and he may be in that discussion. A couple more in WEC to watch for P4P are Jose Aldo and Cowboy Cerrone.
by wAyNe on Aug 12, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
classy guys make no excuses and gives the winner props. this will make him stronger, more hungry and humble.
by kibbled_bits on Aug 12, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Torres is still tha man. Sure he made a mistake and paid dearly for it, but he’ll be back better then ever. Propz to Bowles too. I’m hoping they put Torres against either Jeff Curran or Joesph Benavidez, then if he can win that fight, get another shot at tha title & Bowles.
by Mike-C on Aug 13, 2009 4:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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