Fan-favorite UFC prospect Torrez Finney books debut fight

After three wins on Dana White’s Contender Series, Torrez Finney finally earned his UFC contract and has his first assignment.

[autotag]Torrez Finney[/autotag] has his first UFC assignment.

After three wins on Dana White’s Contender Series, Finney (10-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was awarded a contract in October. Six months later, he’ll make his promotional debut when he battles “TUF 32” runner-up [autotag]Robert Valentin[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in a middleweight matchup April 5. UFC Fight Night 256 is expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Both fighters confirmed the matchup on social media after an initial report Saturday by Eurosport NL.

Finney, 26, first entered the international spotlight in 2023 when he defeated Yuri Panferov on DWCS. Dana White told Finney he wanted him to build up experience before signing. Finney returned to the regional scene with a thunderous knockout, then defeated Cam Rowston on DWCS in 2024. White was critical of Finney’s performance and pointed to only one regional fight taken between DWCS seasons.

However, after White’s comments, Finney explained in interviews that he was tied up due to a commitment to “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show that did not come to fruition. The promotion gave him a third DWCS shot and he defeated Abdellah Er-Ramy by first-round TKO. White acknowledged the error in judgement and offered Finney a contract.

Valentin, 29, represented his home country of Switzerland well on “The Ultimate Fighter 32” as he finished Giannis Bachar and Paddy McCorry in under four minutes combined to reach the season final. However, American wrestler Ryan Loder upset him in the final with a second-round TKO.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night 256 lineup for April 5 includes:

  • Luis Gurule vs. Ode Osbourne
  • Daniel Frunza vs. Rhys McKee
  • Dione Barbosa vs. Diana Belbita
  • Ariane Carnelossi vs. Loma Lookboonmee
  • Talita Alencar vs. Vanessa Demopoulos
  • Torrez Finney vs. Robert Valentin

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 256.

Every UFC newcomer in 2024: Full list of over 100 debuting fighters

Check out the names and records of each fighter who made their UFC debut in 2024.

Every year, the UFC welcomes new faces to the promotion.

Some will become ranked fighters, future title challengers, and possibly champions. A couple of names have already made a significant impact in their debut year.

Kayla Harrison, who is ranked No. 2 by the promotion in the women’s bantamweight division, is likely next up for a title shot. Carlos Prates claimed No. 14 in the welterweight division after ripping through four opponents.

On the flip side, unfortunately, some of the names will fizzle out and look to continue their careers in other promotions.

In 2024, the new names and faces reached triple digits, totaling 103. Those fighters went 46-57. Debuting fighters who faced an opponent with at least one bout of UFC experience went 29-39.

Check out the full list of debuting fighters and their records below:

UFC debuting fighters in 2024

  • [autotag]Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]AJ Cunningham[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Alice Ardelean[/autotag] (9-7 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Andre Lima[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Angel Pacheco[/autotag] (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Antonio Trocoli[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Baergeng Jieleyisi[/autotag] (19-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Bekzat Almakhan[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Bernardo Sopaj[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Bolaji Oki[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Brendson Ribeiro[/autotag] (16-7 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Cameron Smotherman[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Carli Judice[/autotag] (3-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Carlos Leal[/autotag] (21-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Carlos Prates[/autotag] (21-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Carlos Vera[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Cesar Almeida[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Changho Lee[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Charalampos Grigoriou[/autotag] (8-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Chris Padilla[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Cody Haddon[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Connor Matthews[/autotag] (7-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Cortavious Romious[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Danny Barlow[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Danny Silva[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Dariya Zheleznykova[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Dione Barbosa[/autotag] (7-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]DongHun Choi[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Dylan Budka[/autotag] (7-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ernesta Kareckaite[/autotag] (5-1-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Fatima Kline[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Felipe Bunes[/autotag] (13-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Felipe Lima[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Feng Xiaocan[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Hyder Amil[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ibo Aslan[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Igor Severino[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ivan Erslan[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]James Llontop[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 0-3 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jean Matsumoto[/autotag] (16-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jean Silva[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jhonata Diniz[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jordan Vucenic[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jose Medina[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jose Ochoa[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Julia Polastri[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Kaan Ofli[/autotag] (11-3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] (21-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Kiru Sahota[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Klaudia Sygula[/autotag] (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Lone’er Kavanagh[/autotag] (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Lucas Rocha[/autotag] (17-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Luis Pajuelo[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Magomed Gadzhiyasulov[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mairon Santos[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mansur Abdul-Malik[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]MarQuel Mederos[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mauricio Ruffy[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] (22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mitch Ramirez[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mitch Raposo[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Nathan Fletcher[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Navajo Stirling[/autotag] (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Nikolay Veretennikov[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Nyamjargal Tumendemberel[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Oban Elliott[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Oumor Sy[/autotag] (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ozzy Diaz[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Pedro Falcao[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Puja Tomar[/autotag] (9-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Quang Le[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Rafael Cerqueira[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ramazan Temirov[/autotag] (18-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ramon Taveras[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Rei Tsuruya[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Reinier de Ridder[/autotag] (18-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Robelis Despaigne[/autotag] (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Robert Bryczek[/autotag] (17-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Robert Valentin[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Roberto Romero[/autotag] (8-4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ronaldo Rodriguez[/autotag] (17-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ryan Loder[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Sean Sharaf[/autotag] (4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Serhiy Sidey[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Shi Ming[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Stephanie Luciano[/autotag] (6-1-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Steven Nguyen[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Stewart Nicoll[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]SuYoung You[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Thomas Petersen[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Timmy Cuamba[/autotag] (8-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Tom Nolan[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Tuco Tokkos[/autotag] (10-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Valter Walker[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Victor Hugo[/autotag] (25-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Vinicius Oliveira[/autotag] (21-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Xiao Long[/autotag] (27-9 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Yi Zha[/autotag] (25-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Zachary Scroggin[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Zhang Mingyang[/autotag] (18-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Zygimantas Ramaska[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)

UFC on ESPN 62 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Program total passes $28 million

The UFC has now paid athletes more than $28 million in Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay after UFC on ESPN 62.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 62 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $166,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 62 took place at the UFC Apex. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 62 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Caio Borralho[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Tabatha Ricci[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Ryan Loder[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Robert Valentin[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Mairon Santos[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Kaan Ofli[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Francis Marshall[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Dennis Buzukja[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Zach Reese[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jose Medina[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Viacheslav Borshchev[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]James Llontop[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jacqueline Cavalcanti[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Josiane Nunes[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Victoria Leonardo[/autotag]: $4,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,620; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $32,000 while title challengers get $42,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-62 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $5,324,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $28,061,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

UFC on ESPN 62 results: Ryan Loder wins ‘TUF 32’ with inescapable crucifix vs. Robert Valentin

Team Alpha Male wrestling coach Ryan Loder is “The Ultimate Fighter 32” middleweight winner after an impressive win in the final.

[autotag]Ryan Loder[/autotag] exited UFC on ESPN 62 as “The Ultimate Fighter” when he upset [autotag]Robert Valentin[/autotag] by TKO.

The bout was the Season 32 middleweight final of “The Ultimate Fighter” and part of the main card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Loder (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) picked up the stoppage when he trapped Valentin (10-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in a crucifix position and drilled him with elbows until referee Mark Smith stepped in at 1:49 of Round 2.

Loder, 33, was a member of Team Shevchenko on the series and defeated Tom Theocharis and Omran Chaaban en route to the final. Loder is one of the wrestling coaches for Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, Calif.

Switzerland’s Valentin, 29, has a three-fight winning streak snapped. He competed on “TUF 32” as a member of Team Grasso and finished Giannis Bachar and Paddy McCrory to establish himself in Saturday’s final.

The up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 62 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC on ESPN 62

Will Ryan Loder or Robert Valentin become the next middleweight Ultimate Fighter season winner?

[autotag]Ryan Loder[/autotag] and [autotag]Robert Valentin[/autotag] meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 62 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas for “The Ultimate Fighter 32” middleweight finale. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 1-4
UFC main cards, 2024: 70-61-3

Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin UFC on ESPN 62 preview

Loder (6-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) picked up one stoppage in the TUF house, finishing Tom Theocharis by first-round submission. His semifinal bout was a decision win over Omran Chaaban. … Valentin (10-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) stopped both of his opponents during the TUF season. In the second fight of the show, Valentin knocked out Giannis Bachar and followed up with a submission win over Paddy McCorry. Both stoppages came in the first round.

Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin UFC on ESPN 62 expert pick, prediction

This Saturday’s card features one of two finales from this season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” with Loder taking on Valentin for the middleweight portion of the show.

Stepping onto the scene with all the spooky Viking vibes in tow, Valentin is the more potent finishing threat in the matchup both on the feet and the floor.

However, despite being a brown belt in judo, I suspect that Valentin’s defenses could be vulnerable to a committed wrestler like Loder.

A Division-1 All-American wrestler (who is also a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu), Loder possesses a style that – while still a bit raw – works well in the smaller octagon.

So long as Loder can avoid being separated from his consciousness by the second coming of Ragnar, I think that the American can wrestle his way to a competitive decision win.

Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin UFC on ESPN 62 odds

The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Swiss fighter, listing Valentin -172 and Loder +140 via FanDuel.

Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin UFC on ESPN 62 start time, how to watch

As the fourth fight on the main card, Loder and Valentin are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 11:35 p.m. ET. The fight will air on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

UFC on ESPN 62: Robert Valentin vs. Ryan Loder odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 62 odds between Robert Valentin vs. Ryan Loder, with MMA picks and predictions.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

In a 3-round men’s middleweight bout on the main card, Robert Valentin and Ryan Loder meet Saturday at UFC on ESPN 62 — also known as UFC Vegas 96 — at the UFC APEX. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the UFC on ESPN 62: Valentin vs. Loder odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims begin 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+, while the main card starts at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Records: Valentin (11-3-0) | Loder (7-1-0)

The Swiss-born Valentin makes his UFC debut. He posted a 1st-round submission win over Paddy McCorry in The Ultimate Fighter 32 semifinal Aug. 13, and now he gets a shot at the main card in this event. He has posted 4 straight victories since a no contest against Pietro Penini at ARES FC 9 in Nov. 2022.

Loder, a.k.a. the “Man of Steel”, also won in a TUF 32 semifinal in late July, winning via unanimous decision against Omran Chaaban. He has won 3 straight bouts since a split-decision loss in a title fight with Troy Green in Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat 7 back in mid-Jan. 2023.

Both fighters are making their official UFC debuts.

Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC on ESPN 62: Valentin vs. Loder odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:40 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Valentin -156 (bet $156 to win $100) | Loder +132 (bet $100 to win $132)
  • Over/Under: 2.5 rounds (Over +108 | Under -138)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +138 | No -176)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

UFC on ESPN 62: Valentin vs. Loder picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

The play is on VALENTIN (-156) straight up, although he’ll cost you a nice chunk of change.

He has not wasted any time getting to this point, posting 3 victories in Round 1 across his previous 4 outings. On the flip side, Loder (+132) has been impressive, but he has ended up going the distance in each of his past 2 bouts and 3 of the previous 4 fights.

Go with Valentin, who has been routinely getting finishes.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-138) is a good option. While, again, Loder has ended up going the distance in 2 straight fights and 3 of the previous 4 outings, Valentin doesn’t fool around. He hasn’t even made it to Round 2 in 3 of the previous 4 bouts.

In addition, it’s a good idea to roll the dice on VALENTIN BY SUBMISSION (+440) for the chance to more than multiply your wager by 4 times. He has won 3 of his past 4 fights by way of the method.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

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