By Jun Ray Navarres
Filipino rising star Jomary “The Zamboanginian Fighter” Torres wants to escape the rabbit hole by hunting down “The Indian Tigress” Ritu Phogat at ONE: BIG BANG on December 4 in Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Torres will be facing a three-time Indian national wrestling champion and 2016 Commonwealth wrestling champion in her comeback. With Phogat’s credentials, Torres is set to fight a grappling prodigy.
“She’s a very good wrestler, so of course, I have to watch out for her takedowns. She also has much improved striking,” said Torres who’s been training with former ONE World Title contender and head coach Rene Catalan.
“I’ve been working on my wrestling with coach Rene. I know I’m the underdog here and people think I have very little chance in beating her. But I think I will surprise a lot of people. I’m determined to win because I’m fighting for my family. Fans should expect a good, exciting fight.”
Torres, a SEA Games Sambo Medalist shocked MMA fans when she submitted Thailand’s superstar Rika Ishige in her promotion debut and KOed Team Lakay upstart April Osenio.
Yet Torres fell into the slump after losing to Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol in 2018. Torres never won a fight after and suffered a four-fight loss streak.
Meanwhile, Phogat has been on a roll, carrying an unbeaten record since her debut. Torres aims to score an emphatic knockout to derail Phogat and spark her own momentum.
“I watched her last fight, and her wrestling was really on full display. She also boxed very well. That improvement I’m sure comes from her training at Evolve. There she has everything she needs. I won’t be surprised if she becomes a world champion one day,” shared Torres.
“I want to win this fight for my family, to make them proud, and to help them. I want to knock her out.”
Follow the writer on Twitter: @burnsports
