Torrez Finney Inside Fighting Exclusive

Inside Fighting

April 8, 2025

Undefeated UFC Prospect Torrez Finney Reflects on Controversial Win, His Record, and Criticism

Torrez Finney, the undefeated UFC middleweight prospect, made a remarkable debut at UFC Fight Night, securing a win against Robert Valentin. However, the fight was anything but typical, as one judge, Tony Week, scored the contest 30-27 in favor of Valentin an outcome that shocked many fans and fighters alike. After his victory, We had the chance to sit down with Torrez to discuss his thoughts on the decision, his unique fight record, and the criticism he’s received in the MMA community.

When asked about the controversial scorecard, Finney was candid in his reaction. “When I heard 30-27, and he said ‘Valentin,’ I thought, oh, I just sold this fight. I lost. I would’ve been more accepting if I heard 29-28 Valentin, than a 30-27?! ‘Cause I’m sitting there like, how did I not win the first round? There’s no possible way you could tell me I didn’t win the first round. I mean, what are we looking at?” Finney’s disbelief was clear. Despite his dominant performance in what many considered to be a clear win, one judge’s score left him questioning the criteria used in the decision.

In addition to the contentious scorecard, Finney’s debut also saw him set a rather unusual record. He earned the least amount of significant strikes in a decision win in UFC middleweight history. When asked how he felt about this statistic, Finney responded with grace and perspective. “I embrace it. Look, people wish to be in these pressure situations. I’m just blessed to be in a bunch of them. To have the least amount of significant strikes, again, a record we don’t want, but it’s a record we got because at least it comes with a win. And that’s one of those things I value the most, is finding a way to get a W.” For Finney, the victory was more important than the numbers. While setting records isn’t always the goal, he appreciates the pressure that comes with these high-stakes situations, especially when they culminate in a win.

However, the conversation didn’t stop there. In the aftermath of his debut, a popular MMA streamer known as MMA GURU took to social media to criticize Finney, calling him a “bitch” and suggesting that he should be cut by the UFC. As expected, Finney was not one to back down from such harsh remarks. “Well for one, MMA Guru has never fought… MMA Guru, for you to have those kinds of opinions, you have a platform, congratulations, brotha. But there’s a lot more things that I think you have to acknowledge for you to just go around being mad at fighting.” Finney continued, “Because I’ve seen his comments on other things like the Dagestanis and their styles. So it’s more of him hating the style than him hating the fighter. But if he hates me, so be it. Let him talk. You can hate me, but you can’t beat me… He can say whatever he wants to say.”

Torrez Finney’s responses reflect a calm, self-assured fighter who is not easily rattled by critics, especially those who have never stepped inside the octagon themselves. His ability to focus on what matters his performance and his victory shows a maturity that many up-and-coming fighters lack. With his undefeated record intact, Finney’s future in the UFC looks bright, and despite the controversies, it’s clear that he’s not letting external noise affect his drive.

As Finney continues to climb the ranks, fans and critics alike will be watching to see if he can prove them wrong, fight after fight. For now, the undefeated prospect remains focused on one thing: securing his next win.