Midnight Mania Highlights! Finney Finally Inks UFC Contract After KO Win
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
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Torrez Finney might just be the biggest story of Contenders Series 2024.
The 25-year-old “Punisher” appeared on Contenders Series for the first time in October 2023, picking up a rear naked choke win but failing to score a contract from UFC CEO Dana White. After picking up another win on the regional scene, Finney picked up his second Octagon victory a few weeks ago in August, but White heavily critiqued his performance and questioned his dedication.
Finney argued his case against White’s “flawed logic” well, revealing the circumstances behind his inactivity. In response, White booked him on Contenders Series for a third time, pitting him against Abdellah Er-Ramy earlier on Tuesday (Oct. 1, 2024). In yet another strong performance, Finney was able to use his wrestling to pound out Er-Ramy towards the end of the fight round.
Check out the highlight clip below:
TORREZ FINNEY DOES IT AGAIN
He's gets it done in the first round!
[ #DWCS LIVE NOW on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/EOO28hXVa2
— UFC (@ufc) October 2, 2024
After the win, Finney’s detractor White acknowledged his performance and finish. Given he made Contender Series history as the first fighter to rack up 3-0 wins on the show, it was only appropriate that Finney finally scored a UFC contract.
THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM
TORREZ FINNEY IS AWARDED A UFC CONTRACT ON #DWCS pic.twitter.com/HES1ECPcRb
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 2, 2024
“My boy Torrez,” White began. “Listen to me kid. You, Uncle Snoop, Aunt Didi, Coach Larry, Uncle BayBay, Mom and Dad — none of you can disagree with me. You brought a different energy tonight than you did the last two fights. That’s how ya do it! Get over here, welcome to the UFC!”
Now 10-0 as a professional, Finney should be expected to make his official UFC debut either late this year or in the first quarter of 2025. How high do you think “Punisher” can climb at 185 pounds?
Insomnia
In the end, Bryan Battle won over the crowd too.
Bryan Battle chopped it up with French fans after turning heel and flipping off the crowd at UFC Paris. @BryanBattle10 pic.twitter.com/gHLBwlfoWE
— InsideFighting (@InsideFighting_) September 29, 2024
Teofimo Lopez can always be counted upon for a funny quote.
Teofimo Lopez: “Devin Haney & Shakur Stevenson shouldn’t even be mentioned(as A-class fighters). They not good. 1 puts you(viewers) to sleep while the other 1 can’t take a hit.”
#Boxing: itiswhatitis podcast pic.twitter.com/AmgVqZ7VIy
— Danny (@dantheboxingman) October 1, 2024
New rules are coming in one month! How long until we see the first UFC fighter get legally smoked by a knee despite one hand being on the canvas?
Watch as @RefMikeBeltran, #mma veteran @UrijahFaber, and fighter @SczarPhair demonstrate the recent changes to the @abcboxing's Commission’s Unified Rules of MMA, effective Nov. 1, 2024. pic.twitter.com/mzJckzRIh6
— CSAC (@_CSAC) October 1, 2024
This reminds me: now that Demetrious Johnson is retired, we need to see what his secret “Mouse Trap” move is/was!
Khalil Rountree says he has a move that has “never been seen before” and says there’s a possibility he uses it against Alex Pereira
“If it presents itself, everyone will know ‘oh sh*t that’s it, that’s what he was talking about.’”
@espnmma #UFC #MMA #UFC307 pic.twitter.com/DAyFDujt8V
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 1, 2024
Khalil Rountree reveals he nearly retired from MMA after the UFC refused to let him compete in muay thai:
"I remember asking the UFC, can I fight muay thai please. They're like no, just contractually no and I was like I won't even use my name...
There was a moment in my… pic.twitter.com/rbGLnhJVyQ
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) October 1, 2024
Light sparring between elite strikers.
Takeru vs. Superbon Sparring
It’s amazing to see Takeru getting KOed 2 times by Superbon’s head kick in one minute Superbon’s head kick timing is unbelievable Also, nice to see a rare light and fun sparring from Takeru #ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/JpZ8vMt324
— Tetsuya (@TetsuyaMT789) October 1, 2024
Good luck outrunning Michael Bisping even after all his surgeries. The champion put in his roadwork!
Some little shit snatched Rebecca’s bag. Not on my watch pic.twitter.com/P41yBNs2V2
— michael (@bisping) October 1, 2024
The most kickboxing headline of all time.
Amid ongoing legal troubles for kidnapping and drug trafficking, along with a suspension for inciting violence, Jamal Ben Saddik now faces an additional 10-month suspension after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.https://t.co/nRrAmOrqy2
— Beyond Kickboxing (@Beyond_Kick) October 1, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Threw that left hook from his back pocket ...
Left hook from HELL. Brutal KO by Mahmoud Atef #UAEWarriors53 pic.twitter.com/TRyI6l9g7V
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 27, 2024
A cool move that you see sometimes in collegiate wrestling or BJJ but rarely in MMA. Jon Jones did it to Ryan Bader though!
EVERY FIGHT IT'S SOMETHING NEW WITH BILAL HASAN#CFFC136 pic.twitter.com/cI4dEfFibK
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 28, 2024
A-Frame on the floor into grounded knees — nasty!
— Forgotten Finishes (@FightsForgotten) September 29, 2024
Random Land
Quite the cave.
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Midnight Music: Folk rock, 1967
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
