Tecia Torres Interview

Photo Credits:
Photos 1,2 and 5: Invicta FC/Esther Lin
Photos 3-4: Alex Salmeron


Two of the most talked about up and coming pro fighters in the sport today are Tecia Torres and Rose Namajunas, and with good reason. Both have been incredibly impressive in their young pro careers scoring impressive wins. Torres has been winning her fights by decision, but clear decisive decisions showcasing her great striking ability. They will face each other on July 13th for Invicta. There is a reason this is the fight that most are predicting for fight of the night.

Q: Your last fight in January you won a decision over Paige Van Zant, how satisfied were you with your performance?
A: I was more or less completely satisfied because I feel like I was able to dominate the entire fight. If I had to pick one thing I wasn't satisfied with it would be when she did the hip toss, I believe she was able to do it at least twice. Since then I have worked on that and other aspects of my wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu game in order to prepare for Rose.

Q: You have had several decisions in a row, have you accepted the fact that everyone is aware of your stand-up and won't stand and trade with you for very long?
A: I don't know if I have accepted it, but I have become aware that if they don't feel they can stand and trade with me they will try and tie up and take it to the ground. I feel I have been successful enough to keep ti standing long enough or if it does go to the ground, get right back up and start fighting where I am most comfortable at. It is o.k. going to decisions but I would like to change that with my next couple fights.

Q: You are always in tremendous shape, how much has that helped in going the three fight minute rounds?
A: It really helps. When I am done I feel like I can go even more. I have become aware enough to pace myself when I need to and go forward when I need to.

Q: Do you feel like especially in that third round it give you an advantage?
A: In some of my fights, yeah I feel like I have better cardio. But others, like Kaiyana Rain, she was in phenomenal shape and could have gone another round as well.

Q: You have Rose Namajunas coming up, how do you feel you match up with her?
A: I think we match up pretty well. We come from the same background when we were younger. I think it is gonna be the fight to watch. We made our debuts with Invicta and are what Invicta is all about, two young talented girls looking to make a name for themselves.

Q: How impressed have you been with her so far as a pro?
A: I have enjoyed watching her fight and grow. I didn't know much about her till I started fighting with Invicta and hearing about her. I looked her up and it reminded me of myself a bit. I admire her and think she is really talented. I am happy I got this fight. A win over her would put my name on the map, her as well if she were to win.

Q: You are two of the popular up and coming fighters, is this a chance for one of you to separate yourself and move up the card?
A: Exactly, I feel like whoever comes out on top July 13th will definitely put their name out there for the other girls to be ready. Whoever is the smarter person that night will come out with the win.

Q: I have seen some people say Rose will just want it on the ground and you will just want it standing, but I feel it kind of underestimates you both, do you welcome the chance at all to show you are good on the ground?
A: I think for both of us, it has been the same but opposite. Everybody knows I come from a stand-up background and not afraid to stand and trade, I haven't gotten to showcase any Jiu-Jitsu. With her, I always thought she was a striker but her last two fights she showcased beautiful Jiu-Jitsu and hasn't gotten to showcase her stand-up. I think people underestimate my Jiu-Jitsu game. I don't think the previous girls have what I have, it will be her toughest fight to date.

Q: Do you think she would be willing to stand for an extended period of time?
A: That is a question I have been contemplating in my mind. I think she will come out and try to stand with me but it will be a shock to her when she feels my power. I don't think the girls she fought before me are as powerful or as aggressive as I am. Maybe she will trade and if it doesn't go her way she will go to the ground. I would like her to stand and trade with me, it is exciting for the fans and I am willing to do that for three rounds or however long it lasts.

Q: Fans seem as excited for this fight as any other fight, why do you think that is?
A: It is a really good match-up. Janet (Martin) and Shannon (Knapp) know we are undefeated as amateur and pros. This fight was definitely gonna happen. I am happy it is happening now, I feel I have had ample time to get ready for someone like her who is talented.

Q: Is there a key to you winning this fight?
A: Yes, to go in and be calm. Sometimes I get overly aggressive. Not saying I am not gonna be aggressive, I definitely am. I need to stay calm, stand my ground, play my game, as long as I do that, I think I will come out with a win.

Q: Since going to American Top Team, how are you a better fighter?
A: All-around, I have somewhere to go. Before it was mainly at a Jiu-Jitsu game and go somewhere else for my stand-up. At ATT I have wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, everything in one spot. I have high level talent around me, especially with Jessica Aguilar and India Gomes. I finally feel like everything is coming together.

Q: You mention Jessica and India, some gyms only have one female, how much does it help to have other girls to train with?
A: A lot, we are different than men, me react different, our body is different. Jessica is my size, I get to feel the difference, then with India, she is larger, but her power and the way she moves, you can't compare it to a men. When I go in and fight it feels a lot easier.

Q: You and India are very tight, does it make it more exciting to be on a card with her?
A: Yeah, India is one of my best friends so I am really fortunate to have fought my first two Invicta fights with her. We get tot rain together and have the same goal and go there as a team.

Q: Do you have a prediction?
A: My prediction would be that I win unanimously. Like you said, I am a fighter who goes to decisions, so I am not gonna say I will knock her out, I am definitely not gonna say I will submit her. I think it will be a tight close fight, but I am gonna win unanimously. If I can end it early, I would like to.

Q: Any idea what you want after this or just taking it one at a time?
A: One at a time. I wanna get past Rose and look forward to what Invicta gives me. One thing about this fight is I feel like this is my first time as an underdog. Some people don't like to look on the Internet, but I do, it doesn't change my opinion about somebody. This fight she has more pressure, I am going to fight my fight and have fun and she has to live up to expectations that people have put on her since that awesome flying arm bar. It is my fight to win and there is no pressure.

Q: Anyone you want to thank?
A: I would like to thank God, my family, my friends, training partners, coaches and gym American Top Team, and my sponsors, Brawl and Maul, Dawgs Forever Forever Dawgs, Awakening Female Fighters, Babes of MMA, Slept Fightwear, 90 Day Challenge.