For Torrez Finney, the time between fights has its ebbs and flows. But less than two weeks after a walk-off knockout, Finney knows where his next bout will be. And it’ll be in a very familiar setting.
Finney will head to Las Vegas on Aug. 20 for his second fight in the Dana White Contender Series. Finney won there last October but didn’t come away with a UFC contract.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to get back on the contender series again,” Finney said.
“We’ve been in talks with the UFC all year, and there have been lots of talks here and there. But after that performance two weeks ago with that viral knockout, that was big.”
The reaction from Finney’s recent win, and the way in which it was done certainly has not hurt.
“With social media still blowing up, it’s pretty wild. I have gotten a lot of good words from people,” Finney said. “After my last fight in the contender series, nobody saw me fight for six months, and then two weeks ago, they only saw me for 1:30. I’m excited to get back in there.”
The goal in August will be simple for Finney.
“I do feel like it’s a second chance. I feel like it’s another opportunity to be on the big stage.
I feel like it’s more of a legacy thing. Obstacles are in front of you, and you have to overcome them. I want to go in there and win,” Finney said. “Last year, I knew I had to win. UFC will have their back against the wall because there’s never been a guy that won twice (in the contender series) and not gotten a UFC contract.”
An upside to fighting in the contender series for Finney? The process of pre-match media and walking out to fight with no music not being a new experience.
“Going through the whole process and walking out with no music and everything, I know what to expect going into it,” Finney said. “I’ll definitely make the best of that.”
