Preview: UFC 256 Prelims

Women’s Strawweights

#10 WSW | Tecia Torres (11-5, 7-5 UFC) vs. NR | Sam Hughes (5-1, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: N/A

It was nice to see Torres finally turn things around with a win over Brianna Van Buren in June, as it was a reminder that “The Tiny Tornado” can still be effective. Torres was a top prospect when the UFC established its strawweight division in 2014, and Torres’ nickname described her approach. Despite her muscled 5-foot-1 frame, Torres is at her most comfortable attempting to be a speedy range striker. However, after charging her way up the ranks with six wins in her first seven UFC bouts, Torres hit a clear wall in the form of a four-fight losing streak. A run of Jessica Andrade, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Weili Zhang and Marina Rodriguez was a difficult ask—the first three were all former or future strawweight champions—but they each had a combination of size and athleticism that left Torres looking simply aimless. The Van Buren win helped Torres finally find her footing once again, and she looks to keep the momentum going here against a late replacement and UFC newcomer in Hughes. Less than two years into her pro career, “Sampage” is a legitimately interesting prospect, relying on her durability to consistently pressure her opponent and possessing finishing skills on both the feet and the mat. With that said, Torres should be in position to take this. She is the much faster fighter, and while the clinch battle could be close, Torres should be able to hold her own if not have the outright advantage. Torres’ approach always walks a thin line between success and failure, so this is a closer fight than most established-veteran-versus-raw-prospect bouts. Nevertheless, the pick is Torres via decision.