Miguel Angel Torres vs. Brian Bowles
The main event is a Bantamweight Title defense which sees seemingly unstoppable champion Miguel Angel Torres defend his 135 pound crown against undefeated challenger Brian Bowles.
Bowles is a very credible challenger despite having only seven professional fights, and has continually stepped up in competition and destroyed all of his opponents. Torres is arguably the most dominant fighter in any weight class in the world, though, so if Bowles wants to keep his unblemished record intact he is going to have his work cut out for him.
Bowles, who trains at the same Hardcore Gym in Athens that produced such notables as Rory Singer and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin, is a prolific grappler who has also shown that he has knockout power on the feet. The one knock that can be made about Bowles is that, with only seven fights, it’s going to be hard to keep up with Torres, who not only has a ridiculously well-developed skill set but approximately five times more fight. Still, all three of Bowles’ last three opponents were top notch and he looked very impressive in defeating all three.
Torres, despite his lack of national mainstream attention, is one of the most dominant athletes currently competing in any sport. His sole loss in 38 professional fights came in 2003, a unanimous decision loss. Since then, he has been an unstoppable wrecking machine, not only beating most of the top 135 pound fighters in the world, but destroying them. His primary strength is his submission game, but he has proven that he can outbox and outpower top fighters who are known for their standup. Basically, Torres is the complete package: skilled in every aspect of the game, experienced, dedicated, and athletically gifted.
Bowles no doubt has a bright future as a fighter, and I will go so far as to predict he will be a champion sooner or later. With only seven pro fights under his belt, though, Torres is just too tall a mountain to climb at this point. Everything Bowles can do, Torres can do as well or better, and he has the added benefit of many years more experience than the up and coming Bowles. Bowles will get his turn on top of the mountain, but right now it is Torres’ turn, and will remain so for the immediate future.
Torres by one-sided unanimous decision.
