Manuel Torres took his game to another level earlier tonight (Sat., Feb. 24, 2024) at UFC Mexico City live on ESPN+ from inside Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, when the lightweight prospect stopped Chris Duncan with a beautiful rear-naked choke in the first round.
Torres is known for his long striking and crisp technique on the feet, but after Duncan caught him coming in during the opening moments of the first round “El Loco” leaned heavily on his grappling. He was able to outmuscle Duncan along the cage and eventually brought the action to the canvas with a unique standing kimura attempt into a takedown.
Duncan, who had never been submitted before tonight, tried to fight and defend. But once Torres found his back “El Loco” quickly locked up the rear-naked choke before Duncan had a second to react. The tap came a few seconds later.
Check out the final moments in the above player and below as well:
Torres, 28, is 3-0 since joining the UFC’s crowded lightweight division back in 2022 and now has 14 first-round finishes to his name. If the Mexican youngster can continue to turn in performances like this one then the promotion could usher him along quite nicely, especially with Dana White’s big push for Mexico.
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LIVE! Stream UFC Mexico City On ESPN+
PIVOTAL FLYWEIGHT FRACAS! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, on Feb. 24, 2024, with a pivotal Flyweight fracas between former 125-pound kingpin, Brandon Moreno, and most recent title challenger, Brandon Royval, who replaces the red-hot (and injured) Iraqi “Prince,” Amir Albazi. In UFC Mexico City’s ESPN+-streamed co-main event, top-ranked Featherweight contenders, Yair Rodriguez (No. 3) and Brian Ortega (No. 4), will run it back after their initial encounter ended prematurely via gross injury.
For complete UFC Mexico City results, coverage, and highlights, click HERE.