Manuel Torres suffered a setback against Rafael Fiziev, but he is in “good spirits.”
Torres and Fiziev collided in the UFC Baku main event this past Saturday. While “El Loco” was hoping to make a statement in enemy territory, he ended up being stopped early in the second stanza after being caught with a spinning wheel kick. It’s Torres’ first loss since 2024.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Torres’ manager César Lince vowed that his fighter will get back on the horse and learn from the defeat.
“There are defeats that also build character,” Lince wrote. “Thank you to everyone who followed along, sent a message, and made us feel your support from Mexico. I want to give special thanks to ‘El Loco’ for accepting this challenge and coming to represent our country on enemy territory. I know the sacrifice he made to get here, and I know because I was by his side every step of the way that he gave it his all.
“Thanks also to every single person on this team. This is never about just one person; victories and defeats are experienced together. We’re leaving with our heads held high, with much to learn, and hungrier than ever. And for everyone who’s asking: ‘El Loco’ is fine, he’s healthy, in good spirits… and he’ll be back very soon.”
Torres had won two straight bouts between being knocked out by “Ataman.” He bounced back from a 2024 loss to Ignacio Bahamondes with first-round TKO wins over Drew Dober and Grant Dawson. While some thought he would could continue his momentum against Fiziev to emerge as a potential contender in the lightweight division, he’ll need to go back to the drawing board.
Do you think Manuel Torres can rebound from the loss to Rafael Fiziev and break through as a viable contender at 155 pounds, or has his ceiling been capped? Sound off in the comments below.