MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
With a 6-0 professional fighting record, Torrez Finney’s approach isn’t different leading up to arguably the biggest bout of his fighting career.
Finney’s match against Yuri Panferov will be the main event of next Tuesday’s Dana White Contender Series card in Las Vegas with the winner receiving a UFC contract. The match will draw plenty of eyeballs, too, with it being streamed on ESPN+.
“That’s one of the biggest things for me, keeping the main thing the main thing and keep the basics the basics,” Finney said. “I’ve game-planned the same as other fights, building a gameplan, sticking to it and fighting what works and getting ready for the fight.”
What is different, however, are the elements that’ll come with the fight being on an ESPN platform. That included traveling to Las Vegas a few weeks ago for a photo shoot for the fight’s broadcast.
“I’m not accustomed to doing that before a fight. I’ve done photo shoots and things of that nature before, but not a few weeks out,” Finney said. “That makes it that much bigger. I’m really excited. I’m feeling good.”
Part of what has Finney feeling good is his recent preparation for the fight. That has included the usual fight camp for Finney as well as a week’s worth of time in Orlando going against top-level fighters.
“It was really good and beneficial, going against high-level guys,” Finney said. “It was good to work with them.”
The time for all of that work to culminate comes next Tuesday, when Finney gets what he has been working toward – a shot at a pro contract.
“I’m a very emotional person anyway, but this thing has been really good with how it all happened. I was expecting a call and I finally got it,” Finney said.
“I expected to be here on this stage. I know what level I am on and believe I am one of the best fights in the world and have a chance to prove that on Oct. 10.”
