Jones County grad Finney wins in UFC debut amid controversy and criticism: "This was a dud. It happens"
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
Torrez Finney Jr.’s face said one story, the results another.
Throughout his post-match interview, the Jones County grad didn’t smile nearly as much as one would imagine, and Finney smiles a lot.
“I didn’t like the performance,” he said. “Not in the least.”
The result? Another story.
Finney went conservative – and familiar – and won a split decision Saturday night over Rob Valentin in his UFC debut in Las Vegas.
He won 29-28 and 29-28 on two judge’s cards, and lost 30-27 on another, a decision that inspire plenty of discussion on line.
“This was a dud,” he said in a media session. “It happens.”
Finney connected with the fewest significant strikes by any decision winner in history in the middleweight division.
It was his debut after winning three Dana White Contender Series bouts to finally land a contract, which is roughly a four-fight deal over 20 months.
Finney knew he was in for a rough post mortem after three rounds during which he displayed almost solely wrestling skills. A heavy favorite, Finney spent the match controlling Valentin, recording eight takedowns, none for Valentin.
But his opponent won two other categories: total strikes 88-24 and significant strikes 17-5. Most of them came while in a clinch, in a defensive mode.
The plan was to throw ground and pound,” he said. “But I was too much position and not looking for openings.
“And there were sometimes openings that I had I didn’t take advantage of. I don’t know what it was that was holding me back, a mental block, confidence. But, man, that was so much left to be desired and, therefore myself, I did not like.
“I would say it was a weird performance.”
Finney improved to 11-0, Valentin fell to 10-5.