UFC CEO Dana White pulled no punches when assessing Torrez Finney's latest performance on Contender Series.
Finney, an undefeated middleweight based in Tennessee, appeared on the August 20 episode of the UFC's talent-scouting series, taking on the much taller Cam Rowston. Finney won his fight by unanimous decision, but did not impress White enough to earn a coveted UFC contract. In fact, he seemed to do the total opposite.
RIP Torres Finney’s UFC chances 😭 pic.twitter.com/uQT3sqppOk
— Ben Davis (@BenTheBaneDavis) August 21, 2024
“You’d get absolutely decimated in the UFC with the performance you put on tonight," White told Finney at the conclusion of Contender Series. "You're 25 years old, kid. You’re obviously a talented athlete. Go out and get three or fights this year, then come back and talk to us about the UFC. You gassed out tonight. You had a tough time getting through three rounds. You’re not ready for the UFC.”
It was Finney's second appearance on Contender Series. He defeated Yuri Panferov by submission on the show last year, but failed to earn a UFC contract on that attempt too.
According to White, Finney's 2023 win was actually better than his Tuesday win over Rowston.
One way or the other, the victory over Rowston brought Finney to an impressive 9-0 as a pro. He's scored finishes in seven of his nine wins. The bulk of his pro career has occurred under the iKON FC banner. He also went 5-0 as an amateur.
While White didn't give Finney a UFC contract, he did so for four other hopefuls on Tuesday night: Cody Haddon, Cortavious Romious, Rizvan Kuniev and Andreas Gustafsson.
The next episode of Dana White's Contender Series is set for Tuesday August 27. The headline bout will see Andrey Pulayev from Russia battle American Liam Anderson at middleweight.
