Tecia Torres

Tecia Lyn Torres Moncaio (born August 16, 1989)[6] is an American mixed martial artist who is currently competing in the strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of December 14, she is #9 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings.[7]

Tecia Torres
BornTecia Lyn Torres Moncaio
(1989-08-16) August 16, 1989
Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S.
Other namesThe Tiny Tornado, Double T
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 1 in (1.55 m)[1]
Weight115 lb (52 kg; 8.2 st)
DivisionStrawweight
Reach60 1⁄2 in (154 cm)[2]
StyleTaekwondo, Muay Thai, Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Fighting out ofColorado Springs, United States
TeamAmerican Top Team
RankBlack belt in Karate[3]
Black belt in Jhoon-Rhee Taekwondo[3][4]
Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[5][4]
Years active2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins12
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision10
Losses5
By decision5
Amateur record
Total7
Wins7
By submission2
By decision5
Losses0
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Torres has been involved in martial arts since age 3. She began in taekwondo as a child, and received her black belt after twelve years practicing the sport. She also has an amateur muay thai record of sixteen victories and four losses.[8]

Torres graduated at 20 years old in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Florida Atlantic University. She earned her master's degree in Criminology from the same college in 2017.[9]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Torres started her amateur mixed martial arts career in 2011. She won each of her seven bouts, obtaining 115-pound titles in MMA Solutions, US Freedom Fighter Championship and American Battle Championships.[10][11][12]

In 2012, Torres moved to professional mixed martial arts and signed with Invicta Fighting Championships.[13]

Invicta Fighting Championships

Torres made her professional and promotional debut against Kaiyana Rain on October 6, 2012, at Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama. She won via unanimous decision.[14]

Torres faced Paige VanZant on January 5, 2013, at Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt, winning on all judges' score cards.[15] She then won a unanimous decision over Rose Namajunas on July 13, 2013 at Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg.[16] Her final bout of 2013 was against Felice Herrig on December 7, 2013, at Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. Smith. She won via unanimous decision.[17]

The Ultimate Fighter
"I want to become the champion and hold that belt. I don’t want to just win a fight and then lose it in my next fight. I want to create the Tiny Tornado legacy."

—Torres after signing with the UFC[18]

In December 2013, Torres was announced as one of 11 women signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for its newly created strawweight division. It was also announced that she would compete as a cast member on The Ultimate Fighter reality series, as part of a tournament to crown the inaugural strawweight champion.[19] In the season premiere of The Ultimate Fighter, Torres was selected by Team Melendez with the second pick. Third-ranked Torres was matched against #14 Randa Markos. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[20]

Torres was the overall no. 3 seed in the tournament and picked second by coach Gilbert Melendez. She faced Randa Markos in the preliminary round and, in a surprise upset, lost the fight via unanimous decision over three rounds. Torres, however, was allowed back into the tournament when Justine Kish injured her knee in training. She was transferred to the team run by Anthony Pettis and defeated Bec Rawlings in the preliminary round by unanimous decision. She faced Carla Esparza in the quarter-finals and lost via majority decision in two rounds.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Torres made her UFC debut against fellow Ultimate Fighter competitor Angela Magaña at The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale on December 12, 2014.[21] She won the fight via dominant unanimous decision, outstriking Magaña two-to-one over the course of three rounds.

Torres next faced TUF 20 alumnus Angela Hill on June 13, 2015, at UFC 188. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Torres was next expected to face former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion Michelle Waterson at UFC 194. However, Waterson pulled out of the bout on November 24, 2015, citing a knee injury.[22] She was replaced by promotional newcomer Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger. Torres won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]

Torres faced Rose Namajunas in a rematch on April 16, 2016, at UFC on Fox 19.[24] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[25]

Torres next faced Bec Rawlings in a rematch at UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. Korean Zombie on February 4, 2017. At the weigh-ins, Rawlings came in at 117.5 lbs, over the women's strawweight limit of 116 lbs. As a result, Rawlings was fined 20% of her purse, which went to Tecia Torres and the bout proceeded at a catchweight.[26] Torres won the fight by unanimous decision.

Torres faced Juliana Lima on July 7, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale.[27] She won the fight via submission in the second round.[28] The win also earned Torres her first Performance of the Night bonus award.[29]

Torres faced Michelle Waterson on December 2, 2017, at UFC 218.[30] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[31]

Torres faced Jéssica Andrade on February 24, 2018, at UFC on Fox 28.[32] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[33]

Torres faced Joanna Jędrzejczyk on July 28, 2018, at UFC on Fox 30.[34] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[35]

Torres faced Zhang Weili on March 2, 2019 at UFC 235.[36] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[37]

Torres faced Marina Rodriguez on August 10, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 14.[38] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[39]

Torres was scheduled to face Mizuki Inoue on March 28, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik.[40] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed .[41] Instead, Torres face Brianna Van Buren on June 20, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov.[42] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[43]

A rematch with Angela Hill was expected to take place on December 12, 2020 at UFC 256.[44] However, Hill tested positive for COVID-19 and pulled out of the fight.[45] Torres instead faced promotional newcomer Sam Hughes.[46] She won the fight via doctor stoppage between round one and two after Hughes said she couldn't see out of one of her eyes. [47]

Fighting style

Torres employs constant lateral movement while combining elements of taekwondo and karate.[18][48] She frequently utilizes kicking techniques, occasionally following a high or low kick with a fast side kick.[49] When punching, she will often press forward with a flurry of high strikes.[48][49] Torres does not often utilize submission techniques, but has demonstrated submission defense.[49]

Personal life

Torres is straight edge, claiming to have never used any alcohol, tobacco and other recreational drugs in her life. On the World Mental Health Day of 2019, Torres revealed having struggled with her mental health issues – depression and attachment disorder – for several years.[50] She is engaged to MMA fighter Raquel Pennington.[51]

Mixed martial arts
  • Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • MMA Solutions Global
    • MMA Solutions amateur strawweight title (one time)
  • US Freedom Fighter Championship
    • USFFC amateur strawweight title (one time)[11]
  • American Battle Championships
    • ABC amateur strawweight title (one time)[12]
  • Women's MMA Awards
    • 2013 Strawweight of the Year
  • AwakeningFighters.com WMMA Awards
    • 2013 Strawweight of the Year[52]
    • 2013 Newcomer of the Year[52]
  • Bleacher Report

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
17 matches 12 wins 5 losses
By knockout 1 0
By submission 1 0
By decision 10 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 12–5 Sam Hughes TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 256 December 12, 2020 1 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–5 Brianna Van Buren Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov June 20, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 10–5 Marina Rodriguez Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2 August 10, 2019 3 5:00 Montevideo, Uruguay
Loss 10–4 Zhang Weili Decision (unanimous) UFC 235 March 2, 2019 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 10–3 Joanna Jędrzejczyk Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2 July 28, 2018 3 5:00 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Loss 10–2 Jéssica Andrade Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens February 24, 2018 3 5:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 10–1 Michelle Waterson Decision (unanimous) UFC 218 December 2, 2017 3 5:00 Detroit, Michigan, United States
Win 9–1 Juliana Lima Submission (rear-naked choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale July 7, 2017 2 0:53 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 8–1 Bec Rawlings Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. Korean Zombie February 4, 2017 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States Catchweight (117.5 lbs) bout; Rawlings missed weight.
Loss 7–1 Rose Namajunas Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans April 16, 2016 3 5:00 Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 7–0 Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger Decision (unanimous) UFC 194 December 12, 2015 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 6–0 Angela Hill Decision (unanimous) UFC 188 June 13, 2015 3 5:00 Mexico City, Mexico
Win 5–0 Angela Magaña Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale December 12, 2014 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–0 Felice Herrig Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. Smith December 7, 2013 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 3–0 Rose Namajunas Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg July 13, 2013 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 2–0 Paige VanZant Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt January 5, 2013 3 5:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 1–0 Kaiyana Rain Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama October 6, 2012 3 5:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States

[54]

Mixed martial arts exhibition record
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 1–2 Carla Esparza Decision (majority) The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned December 3, 2014 (airdate) 2 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States TUF 20 Quarterfinal round.
Win 1–1 Bec Rawlings Decision (unanimous) November 12, 2014 (airdate) 2 5:00 TUF 20 Elimination round. Torres was brought back into competition after an injury to another contestant.
Loss 0–1 Randa Markos Decision (unanimous) September 10, 2014 (airdate) 3 5:00 TUF 20 Elimination round.

[55]

See also

References
  1. "Fight Card - UFC 188 Velasquez vs. Werdum". UFC.com. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  2. "Tecia Torres' profile". Tapology.com. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  3. Thomas Gerbasi (May 14, 2014). "Meet the Strawweights: Tecia Torres". UFC.com.
  4. "Tecia Torres - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  5. "Fight Path: Invicta FC 6′s Tecia Torres put on martial arts path in kindergarten". MMAjunkie.com. 2013-07-04.
  6. Mixed martial arts show results Date: June 6, 2020
  7. "Rankings | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  8. "Tecia Torres' profile". MMAgirls.net. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  9. http://mmaimports.com/2017/05/congrats-ufcs-tecia-torres-earns-her-masters-degree/
  10. "Tecia Torres Moves To 5-0 With Title Win In Florida". MMARising.com. 2012-05-17. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  11. "Tecia Torres Dominates Ashley Greenway, Wins USFFC Title". MMARising.com. 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  12. "After Third Title Victory, 7-0 Tecia Torres Targets Fall Pro Debut". MMARising.com. 2012-07-18. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  13. Brian Hemminger (2012-10-04). "Tiny Tornado: Invicta FC 3 pro debuter Tecia Torres interview exclusive with MMAmania.com". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  14. Brian Knapp (2012-10-06). "Jessica Penne triangles Naho Sugiyama, captures atomweight gold at Invicta FC 3". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  15. Brian Knapp (2013-01-05). "Carla Esparza outpoints Bec Hyatt, seizes vacant Invicta strawweight championship". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  16. Staff (2013-07-14). "Invicta FC 6 results: Cris 'Cyborg' claims featherweight belt with TKO win". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  17. Staff (2013-12-08). "Invicta FC 7 results: Barb Honchak outlasts Leslie Smith to retain belt". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  18. Gerbasi, Thomas (May 14, 2014). "Meet The Strawweights: Tecia Torres". UFC.com. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  19. John Morgan and Steven Marrocco (2013-12-11). "UFC acquires 11 fighters from Invicta FC, launches women's strawweight division with 'TUF 20′". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
  20. "TUF 20 Episode 1 Recap: Randa Markos Upsets Tecia Torres - MMARising.com". mmarising.com.
  21. Matt Erickson (2013-12-11). "TUF 20 Finale adds six fights in Las Vegas, including Herrig-Ellis, Torres-Magana". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
  22. Dann Stupp and John Morgan (2015-11-24). "Super card takes a hit: Michelle Waterson out of UFC 194". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  23. Matt Erickson (2015-12-12). "UFC 194 results: Tecia Torres too quick for Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger in decision sweep". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  24. "UFC FIGHT NIGHT SAT. APR. 16, 2016 NURMAGOMEDOV VS FERGUSON". 2016-02-07. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  25. Ben Fowlkes (2016-04-16). "UFC on FOX 19 results: Rose Namajunas avenges loss to Tecia Torres with decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  26. Staff (2017-02-03). "UFC Fight Night 104 weigh-in results: Bermudez (145.5) and Jung (145.5) official, Rawlings off mark". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  27. Staff (2017-07-05). "Tom Gallicchio vs. James Krause joins Dhiego Lima vs. Jesse Taylor to complete TUF 25 Finale lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
  28. "TUF 25 Finale results: Tecia Torres chokes out Juliana Lima for first stoppage win of career". MMAjunkie. 2017-07-07. Retrieved 2017-07-08.
  29. "TUF 25 Finale bonuses: Justin Gaethje's sick, sick debut was a double winner for $100,000". MMAjunkie. 2017-07-08. Retrieved 2017-07-08.
  30. "Tecia Torres vs. Michelle Waterson Joins Stacked UFC 218 Lineup | MMAWeekly.com". www.mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  31. "UFC 218 results: Cardio pays dividends for Tecia Torres in decision win over Michelle Waterson". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-03. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
  32. "Strawweight contenders Jessica Andrade, Tecia Torres meet at UFC on FOX 28". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-28. Retrieved 2017-12-28.
  33. "UFC on FOX 28 results: Jessica Andrade too much for Tecia Torres in crucial 115-pound fight". MMAjunkie. 2018-02-25. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  34. "Ex-champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk meets Tecia Torres at UFC on FOX 30 in Calgary". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-02. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
  35. "UFC on FOX 30 results: Joanna Jedrzejczyk outstrikes Tecia Torres to get back on track". MMAjunkie. 2018-07-29. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
  36. "Tecia Torres vs. Weili Zhang Announced for UFC 235". Cageside Press. 2018-07-29. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  37. "UFC 235 results: Weili Zhang shuts down Tecia Torres for 19th straight win". MMA Junkie. 2019-03-03. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  38. Jon Fuentes (2019-06-19). "Breaking: Valentina Shevchenko Will Defend Title Against Liz Carmouche In UFC Montevideo Main Event". lowKickmma.com. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  39. Harshman, Heath (2019-08-10). "UFC Uruguay Results: Marina Rodriguez Stays Undefeated, Defeats Tecia Torres by Unanimous Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
  40. Lee, Alexander K. (2019-12-27). "Tecia Torres to fight Mizuki Inoue at UFC Columbus". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
  41. Nolan King and John Morgan (2020-03-15). "UFC postpones three events amid growing coronavirus outbreak". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  42. DNA, MMA. "Tecia Torres treft Brianna van Buren tijdens UFC Las Vegas op 20 juni aanstaande". Retrieved 2020-05-23.
  43. Jay Anderson (2020-06-21). "UFC on ESPN 11 Results: Tecia Torres' Striking Too Much for Brianna Van Buren". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  44. Nolan King (2020-10-19). "UFC 256 adds Tecia Torres vs. Angela Hill rematch to Dec. 12 lineup". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  45. Mike Bohn (2020-12-06). "Angela Hill announces positive COVID-19 test, out of Tecia Torres rematch at UFC 256". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  46. Alexander K. Lee and Damon Martin (2020-12-08). "Tecia Torres will now face LFA standout Sam Hughes at UFC 256". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  47. Jay Anderson (2020-12-12). "UFC 256 Results: Tecia Torres Lights Up Newcomer Sam Hughes". cagesidepress. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  48. Wolff, Dwayne (December 10, 2013). "The Tiny Tornado Takes Over Invicta FC 7". hov-mma.com. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  49. Sargent, Robert (July 13, 2013). "Invicta Fighting Championships 6 Live Play-By-Play & Results". mmarising.com. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  50. Tecia Torres [@TeciaTorres] (10 Oct 2019). "World Mental Health Day🙏🏽 This is my untold story.Please respect my openness. I finally have the courage to be true to myself and use my platform to normalize mental health issues. I love you all and wish you all the very best ❤️🙏🏽 #MentalHealthAwareness #Depression #TeamTiny" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  51. https://www.mmafighting.com/2017/5/14/15637310/ufc-fighters-tecia-torres-raquel-pennington-get-engaged
  52. "WMMA 2013 Awards". Awakening Fighters.
  53. "2013 Women's MMA Year-End Awards". BleacherReport.com. 2013-12-31. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  54. Sherdog.com. "Tecia". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
  55. Sherdog.com. "Tecia". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-09-14.
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