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Miguel Angel Torres and Joseph Benavidez are looking to make statements when they collide at WEC 47

WEC bantamweights Miguel Angel Torres and Joseph Benavidez are at different stages of their respective careers, though both men are aiming to reach the same goal.

The goal of becoming the WEC bantamweight champion.

Torres has been there before. In fact, that's where he has spent almost all of his career in the WEC. Before falling victim to Brian Bowles at WEC 42 in what was one of, if not the biggest upset of the year, Torres successfully defended his title three times after beating Chase Beebe at WEC 32 to win the crown.

Before the loss to Bowles, Torres put together an incredible 17-fight win streak that spanned the course of five years. Losing is most assuredly not something Torres in familiar with.

Benavidez's career also endured a setback at WEC 42 as he lost a unanimous decision to now number one contender Dominick Cruz. Prior that contest, the Team Alpha Male product reeled off ten consecutive wins to start his promising MMA career.

Joseph though has since returned to the win column as he finished Rani Yahya in the first round at WEC 45

Before the two fighters step toe-to-toe at WEC 47 on March 6 putting the goal they share on the line, both gentlemen joined MMAmania.com's exclusive presentation of Pro MMA Radio to discuss their upcoming bout earlier this week.

Torres first spoke about the shocking loss he took at the hands of Bowles and what caused the fall of his reign atop the bantamweight division.

"What happened was my fault. I fought reckless and I got knocked out. It could have been a much easier fight. I never watched any of my own fights during training to improve. If it wasn't Bowles that night, it would have eventually been someone else. So I've totally revamped my training to improve as a fighter."

The lack of desire and preparation in his training in the lead up to the Bowles fight has been well documented, and Miguel knows he should have taken Brian much more serious.

"Everyone in the camp was getting cocky as I was getting cocky. No one was keeping me in check. They kept telling me that Bowles only had seven fights and that I've beaten guys like this before, instead of reminding me that everyone can get caught and everyone is dangerous. Things just got out of control."

While Torres promises that he is not making the same mistake with Benavidez, it's no secret that a rematch with Bowles to avenge his loss is a top priority.

"If Cruz wins I want to fight Bowles first. If Bowles wins I want to fight for the title. It's not like I have a vendetta against him. I don't hate him. He did a great thing for me. He made me change my style. I needed this to be a better fighter. But I think about it everyday. It motivates me," Torres said.

And as any fighter playing the underdog role in a fight would do, Benavidez views Torres's fixation on a Bowles rematch as an advantage.

"I respect that. I like that talk. That means he's looking ahead to Bowles and I can slip in there and get the win," said Benavidez.

Torres though later reiterated the fact that he is well aware of the problems that Benavidez presents as an opponent and that he'll be ready for any and everything he's got.

"I know that Benavidez is a dangerous fighter. He's a nightmare for a lot of guys. He's extremely fast and extremely powerful. He has knockout power, he's a dangerous wrestler and he has good ground and pound. I don't think his submissions are great, but he's just gonna keep coming. He's one of those guys that you have to knockout or break something to beat him because he won't stop. He'll never slow down. This is a tough fight but I'm ready for it."

Miguel later admitted that his style of aggressive fighting and wanting to please the crowd with great finishes finally caught up to him, and it's another mistake that he doesn't plan on repeating.

"I'm not gonna try to put on a show. I'm not fighting for the fans here. I'm gonna be elusive, I'm gonna make my shots count. In the clinch I'm gonna be aggressive, and on the ground I'm gonna be looking to break something. It's a completely different mindset than I had before."

Joseph Benavidez on the other hand has no obsession with avenging his loss to Cruz. Sure he would like to get another shot at him sometime down the road, but it's a title shot that is first on his list.

After suffering the only loss of his career, Benavidez quickly got back on the winning track in beating Rani Yahya handily, though it didn't exactly come in the fashion he anticipated.

"I would have though that he was gonna try relentlessly for takedowns, but I wasn't surprised that he tried to stand with me. I think he wanted to try to show people he had more than a just a ground game. Once I got used to his approach, I figured I should just go ahead and be aggressive with my striking since he didn't seem to intent on taking the fight to the ground. Luckily for me I landed some good shots and got the finish."

Benavidez also noted that he knew a fight with Torres was up next, and he didn't have to think twice about accepting it.

"Right after that fight with Yahya, they asked me about the Torres fight. They knew I didn't take any damage and I would be ready for the fight. I didn't hesitate at all. It's a great fight for me."

And as everyone would expect, Joseph knows that a great fighter like Torres who is coming of a sobering loss, is going to come back even stronger.

"I'm expecting to fight the best Miguel Torres there has ever been. I think he's more dangerous now than he's ever been. I know its cliché, but a loss can really inspire you. As competitors, it's what drives you."

Though he realizes Torres is going to come in looking to send the message that he's still the best bantamweight out there, Benavidez stated that seeing a guy like that get knocked out in such a devastating way does indeed help his confidence coming into the bout.

"If you see someone you thought was invincible get knocked out, you realize he's just like everybody else. It makes it a lot easier to approach the fight. He's just another man. He got knocked out. Anyone can be knocked out. Sure he's done some great things in the sport, but that motivates me. All that he's accomplished can be mine if I beat him."

And even though he's got all the tools to be a great fighter, Joseph knows that he needs to continue to improve in all aspects of the game, especially when it comes to executing a proper game plan.

"Ever since my loss to Dominick, I've changed the way I train. I used to just rely on my instincts and athleticism to win fights. But Dominick was just as athletic as me and he used a game plan to beat me. I now know that having a game plan is part of the game. I'm approaching it different now."

As to how each fighter sees the contest playing out, lets just say their answers were a bit contrasting.

"I see myself jumping into a flying triangle to take him out in the first 30 seconds," Benavidez jokingly said.

Torres however gave a far more serious prediction.

"I don't see this fight going the distance. I'm gona win by knockout or submission. I'm gonna catch him the second round."

The former champ does seem determined in getting back to the top, but will his desire to avenge the loss to Bowles hurt his chances in beating the dynamic Benavidez?

We'll find out at WEC 47 on March 6 from Columbus, Ohio.

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