D.P.

Nickname Angel
Height 5 ft 10 in
Weight 135 lb
Nationality American
Born January 18, 1981
Place of birth East Chicago, Indiana
Team/Association Torres Martial Arts
Primary fighting style Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai

Wins 37
By knockout 8
By submission 21
Losses 1
Draws 0

Miguel Torres is a Mexican American mixed martial artist who fights for the World Extreme Cagefighting organization. He is the current WEC Bantamweight champion. Prior to fighting with the WEC, Torres also held the bantamweight title for the US Shooto organization, as well as for the Ironheart Crown. Torres specializes primarily in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and also possesses a potent Muay Thai striking arsenal. As reported by UFC.com, in September 2008 Torres received his black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Carlson Gracie, Jr.

Ranking

The MMA Weekly Worldwide Ranking System ranks Torres as the #1 Bantamweight fighter in the world and the YahooSports! Pound-for-Pound MMA Rankings list him as the #4 Pound for Pound fighter in the world.

Sherdog.com ranks Miguel as the #1 Bantamweight mixed martial artist in the world and the #5 Pound for Pound mixed martial artist in the world.

History

For a number of years Miguel fought primarily in small, unsanctioned events held in Northwest Indiana nightclubs and bars. As a result, much of his early fighting career is undocumented. Prior to signing with the WEC, he fought often on Chicago-area shows, including the Total Fight Challenge and the Ironheart Crown. He held the bantamweight title in both of these organizations for several years, and his participation in those events is well documented.

After fighting for several years, Torres sought guidance and training under Carlson Gracie, Senior. As a trainer of many world champions, Gracie immediately recognized Miguel's talent and took him on a trip to Brazil where he would publicly issue a challenge to the entire world. Long before Torres gained fame in the WEC, Gracie believed that no one could beat him at 135 pounds.

Miguel received several offers to fight overseas in Brazil and Japan after the challenge was issued. Because these offers were not lucrative, he turned them down and continued to fight locally instead. His first fight with the WEC came on September 5, 2007 against Jeff Bedard. After beating Bedard, Torres went on to challenge Chase Beebe for the title, earning the bantamweight belt.

Today, Miguel continues to fight for the WEC, defending his title. He also owns and operates a mixed martial arts academy in Hammond, Indiana where he teaches nearly 200 students. Among these students are several up and coming fighters whom he trains to fight in the same local shows that he once competed in himself.

Torres defended his WEC Bantamweight Championship against Takeya Mizugaki in the main event of WEC 40 on April 5th, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois and won by unanimous decision in a tough fight to retain the WEC Bantamweight Championship.