In 2015, Jose “Shorty” Torres (11-1-1) became the first-ever two-time amateur world MMA champion at 135 pounds. Considered among the most decorated amateur fighters in the world during his time, the two-time IMMAF world gold medalist concluded his sensational amateur tenure with a bar-raising 25-1 record.
As he is set to face Nkosi Ndebele (6-1) from South Africa for the vacant bantamweight championship title at BRAVE Combat Federation, the stakes are at an all-time high in his career. As the first-ever major MMA star from the United States to emerge from the IMMAF system, the title fight will be critical for him to etch his legacy among greats in the global bantamweight division with his unique set of accolades.
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Having started training karate at the age of 4 and started wrestling at 14, Torres is an International Kickboxing Federation champion, two-time gold medalist in Pan-American Kickboxing Championships, and Thai Boxing Association champion. Torres became the first prodigy from the IMMAF to be associated with the KHK MMA Fight Team, which later included all-time greats including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Frankie Edgar, Ikram Aliskerov, Eldar Eldarov, Hamza Kooheji and Mohammed Mokaev to name a few.
Having signed with BRAVE CF after his stint with the UFC, he is undefeated in all four fights in the promotion. Torres is also the only fighter to defeat Amir Albazi, who remains undefeated in the UFC with five straight wins. Further, “Shorty” gave stellar performances against major talents, including Blaine O’Driscoll, Sean Santella and Izzeddine Al Derbani, earning his title shot against Ndebele.
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Trained by some of the best in the MMA world, his profile lists the finest fight teams in the sport, including Xtreme Couture, 10th Planet Las Vegas, KHK MMA Fight Team, Valle Flow Striking Academy, and many more. His adversary is the face of the new wave of talent rising from the African continent, Ndebele is a former two-division amateur champion, an All-African gold medalist, and an All-African silver medalist. Ndebele mauled his way to the title picture with a dominant five-fight win streak, taking advantage of his extraordinary height and reach advantage to land strikes from unusual angles. Often described as the Manny Pacquiao of MMA, Torres has faced opponents with significant height and reach advantage throughout his career, winning against the odds. With his unique fighting style, and continuous social commitment through Team Shorty Foundation, helping people stay in the gym and off the streets, he is equated to Pacquiao in many ways.
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The title fight is already anticipated as one among the most awaited clashes in the division. Torres and Ndebele were scheduled to fight on two previous occasions. However, the bouts were canceled at the last minute, making the current main event a much-awaited war between two of the most promising warriors representing contrasting styles, continents, cultures, and paths of life.
BRAVE CF 73 will be the third overall event organized by BRAVE CF in Colombia and the second in Bogota, as the organization renews its commitment to the Latin American MMA scene and remains the only global promotion to host events in Colombia. Alongside Latin Fighter Championship and IMMAF, BRAVE CF will host the first edition of the BRAVE Pan-American Combat Week, between August 10 and 13.
