Manuel Torres wants to be feared like Mike Tyson ahead of UFC Baku

Manuel Torres wants opponents to fear him the way they once feared Mike Tyson.

The No. 15 UFC lightweight headlines his first UFC event Saturday when he faces No. 11 Rafael Fiziev in the main event of UFC Baku at Baku Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan. Torres told UFC.com that his approach has been consistent since childhood. "Ever since I was a little kid, I just wanted to finish the fights; I wanted to get out of there and to knock my opponent out," he said, per MMA Mania. "That's how things have happened, and I've always thought that's how you become the best in the world, and that's what I want to do — I want to be the best in this."

Torres chases knockout legacy at UFC Baku

The 31-year-old Mexican has been stopped only once beyond the first round in 20 professional fights — a 2018 split decision win over Enrique Gonzalez. Every other bout has ended in round one, including all six of his UFC appearances. Torres earned Performance of the Night bonuses in each of his five Octagon wins. "I want to be feared," Torres added. "I want to be the Mike Tyson that people fear, and I have the mentality that I'm gonna be the best in the world, and I'm gonna beat them all."

Only two fighters have knocked out Fiziev, and Torres believes a finish Saturday would vault him toward title contention in the lightweight division. He told the outlet that a strong performance would put him one step closer to a title shot, God willing. Fiziev looks to rebound in front of a Baku crowd while Torres tries to prove he is more than a bonus-machine brawler.

UFC Baku airs June 27 with the main card following prelims at Baku Crystal Hall.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — UFC Baku’s Manuel Torres wants ‘to be feared’ like Mike Tyson – ‘That’s how you become the best’