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BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - JUNE 27: Manuel Torres of Mexico reacts after a TKO loss against Rafael Fiziev of Kazakstan in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at National Gymnastics Arena on June 27, 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
UFC Baku went down this past weekend (Sat., June 27, 2026), leaving several fighters feeling the post-fight blues. Among them was Charles Johnson, who was submitted by Asu Almabayev via Suloev stretch (see it again here).
And Nasim Sadykhov, who was knocked out in the first round by Matheus Camilo (highlights here). And of course, Julius Walker, who was knocked out by Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev in the first eight seconds of the fight (relive it here).
But, which fighter is suffering from the worst post-fight hangover, now a few days removed from the show?
Manuel Torres.
Coming into his matchup against sensational striker Rafael Fiziev, Torres was hoping to lock down the biggest win of his career in his first opportunity to headline an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event after starting off his career with the promotion with a respectable record of 5-1. Indeed, a win over Fiziev would have catapulted him into the Top 10, bringing him one step closer to a 155-pound title shot in what is probably the deepest weight class in the company.
Unfortunately for the surging contender, he was unable to pass the big test.
Torres started the fight off pretty well, engaging with Fiziev — who was in desperate need of a win — in what was a pretty competitive first round. But, in the opening seconds of round two, Fiziev unleashed a well-executed spinning wheel kick that was partially blocked by Torres, though still powerful enough of an impact to send him crashing to the canvas. From there, “Ataman” jumped on his foe and unleashed one big bomb after another until the referee had no choice but to step in.
See the amazing finish here.
And just like that, Torres’ balloon of momentum was violently popped, sending him home with just the second loss of his UFC career (fourth overall).
While a devastating defeat, it’s not going to be one that sends him crashing on a downward spiral because losing to someone who has gone to war with current division champion, Justin Gaethje (twice), is nothing to hang your head low over.
Torres, 31, is still young enough to make another run toward a Top 10 spot … and beyond. Sure, he was the one who got his finished this time, but he has proven to have skills in that area by earning 16 of his 17 wins via stoppage (nine knockouts, seven submissions).
As far as what could be next for him, perhaps a fight against someone like Beneil Dariush is in order. The two men were initially set to throw down against each other at UFC 327 before Torres withdrew from the event with an injury. Dariush went on to face Quillan Salkilld in his next fight and got smoked via technical knockout. Since both men are coming off knockout defeats, it could be a good time to revisit this matchup. Dariush — who had this to say regarding his last defeat — is as experienced as they get and would be another nice test for the Mexican-born combatant.
Thoughts?
For more UFC Baku results, coverage and highlights click HERE.
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