Hello Mr. Torres. The world wants to know, how did you get interested in this mixed martial arts thing?
Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to be a ninja. Ever since I can remember, all I wanted was to be a ninja. I watched UFC 1 and saw that mixed martial arts was the closest thing to that. So I followed my dreams and now I’m a ninja. Dreams do come true.
When will the fans of the WEC get to see you back in action?
They’re telling me March. I’m not sure who yet, but it looks like it will be March.
Who were some of your idols growing up? Who did you look up to?
My mother and my father for sure. Both of them first and foremost. But also Bruce Lee. I had tons of Bruce Lee posters. Julio Caesar Chavez, the boxer. Martin Luther King. Harriet Tubman. That’s about it.
We know you’re a fan of good television. What’s the show that everyone should be watching?
You’re putting me on the spot here. But I’ll have to say two shows. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is one of the best shows ever. And East Bound and Down. Kenny Powers is the man.
What about movies? If you had to watch a movie every week for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
The Human Tornado. It’s got all the guys from Dolemite. It shows you how to be a man. How to be a man of mystery. How to be a man of intellect and how to be a man of danger. All of this wrapped into one movie with an afro.
Who are the best three fighters in MMA?
Well, Fedor is a boring answer, so I’ll say Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, and Shogun Rua. I like Mousasi too. He’s a bad dude.
What would you like to change about MMA?
I’d like to see fighters make more money. Get paid what they’re worth so they can take care of their families and pay their medical bills and stuff. This is a tough job man. You can’t do it forever. I’d also like to educate the fans more about the sport. You know, like when the crowd starts to boo as soon as the fight hits the ground. Just show them what it’s all about.
When you came into the WEC, you got lots of publicity for your slick submission and BJJ skills. But lately, we haven’t seen much of that part of your game. What would you tell critics who say you should get back to your roots?
I would tell them that stand-up is my roots. I was boxing and stuff before I really got into jiu-jitsu. But after this last fight against [Brian] Bowles, I made some mistakes. You’re going to see me correct them and you’ll see me using my whole game again. You’ll see a much more complete Miguel Torres.
You’ve said in the past that you would consider moving up to 155 pounds. Was that just Miguel being Miguel, or is that truly something you want to do?
No, I think I will do it. For now, 135 is the right weight class for me. But I think in a few years, I could put on some weight and do it. I owe it to myself to do it. I want to get in there and mix it up with Penn and Pellegrino and the like.
Randy Couture is fighting at 46 years old. What will you being doing at 46?
Man, probably taking care of like 25 kids. I’m gonna have a bunch of kids when I retire. I’ll still be involved in MMA for sure, but I won’t be fighting!
If one of your fans ran into you at a bar and wanted to buy you a drink, what should they order?
They should immediately buy me two shots of Don Julio and a Long Island. Then we’ll be friends.
Leave us with Miguel Torres’ words of wisdom.
If all we have in life is love, then why are we always pushing it away?
Something for our readers to ponder. Thanks Miguel and we look forward to seeing you back in the cage after the first of the year.
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