MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
When 2022 began, Torrez Finney was looking to have three chances to fight in the MMA ranks. Anything else that would come would be an added bonus.
Finney got that exactly and took full advantage, running his MMA record to 4-0 this past Friday in Savannah, beating Ivan Batinich as the fight was halted in the third round.
“4-0 to finish the year; my goal was to have three fights this year, to have a fourth one, that’s the cherry on the top,” Finney said. “I got my dessert.”
First and foremost, Finney is glad to have the win, one that kept his record unbeaten. At the same time, the former JCHS athletic standout knows that it wasn’t a flawless result.
“I am pleased with the outcome, not as much on some of my performance. I know lots of different people that are big on the fight scene have told me that I had a good opponent,” Finney said. “Yes, he was a good opponent, but I feel like I could have finished it quicker. I just wanted to be more impactful in some situations. I’m 4-0, in my first year as a pro and a lot of people don’t get to fight four times in a year. I’m 23, just started MMA in 2020 and would never have believed that I’d be where I am now.”
If there’s one thing that set this win for Finney apart from other bouts, it’s that this one drug out longer in time. There was no quick knockdown. Rather, Finney didn’t get the win until the third round. And while on one hand Finney would have liked to have avoided a later knockout, his ability to still do what was needed to win in a third round resonated with those watching and following the fight, including Jorge Misvadal, a UFC fighter whose IKON FC promotes fights including Finney’s on Friday.
“That was one thing that a lot of people said, included Jorge Misvadal, they were really shocked that a guy my size could go three rounds and not be tired,” Finney said. “That’s one thing I pride myself on, I work a lot on my conditioning and cardio. I know I can push the pace and that’s what helped me finish it late.”
Finney’s next step? Continuing the train for whatever is next.
“I want to continue to train and see what’s next, I don’t know how many more times I’ll fight on the regional circuit or be able to fight local,” Finney said. “This may have been my last one, I want to continue to get better.”
