Manuel Torres heads into UFC 323 on Saturday night with a chance to shake up the lightweight picture, stepping into the spotlight against ranked contender Grant Dawson in a matchup tailor-made for violence.
Known for fast starts and ruthless finishing instincts, Torres now gets the biggest test, and biggest opportunity, of his career.
“I came here looking for the knockout. I’m ready to wrestle all three rounds if necessary. I’m ready for everything,” Torres told reporters on Wednesday.
“I come prepared, I want to show that I belong in the top 15 in the world, and I come for the bonus, you know it.”
Torres (16-3) enters UFC 323 with a reputation as a dangerous finisher, yet he insists fans have only seen a fraction of what he’s capable of. He believes this matchup is his chance to reveal the deeper layers of his game, if Dawson can survive long enough to see them.
“I don’t think anybody really knows my style. All of my fights end in the first round. So I guess expect a surprise on Saturday night. You’ll see plenty of my weapons. If the fight goes longer than the first round, you’ll get to see all that. If not, then I’ll get a quick finish,” he said.
Torres knows that Dawson represents a step up in competition, but it’s the kind of challenge he has been waiting for. Rather than shy away from Dawson’s elite grappling pedigree, the Mexican lightweight embraces it.
“I’m excited to test myself against a guy like Grant Dawson. He’s a very good wrestler, and I’m ready to wrestle with him” he said.
“I want to get to Saturday already. I’m ready to find the holes in his game and take advantage of it at any moment.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Manuel Torres above. He faces Grant Dawson at UFC 323 on Saturday night.
* Translated by Cageside Press
