clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Miguel Torres Welcomed Back To UFC

New, 2 comments

Miguel Torres has reportedly reentered the ranks of the UFC after initially being let go for a controversial Tweet joking about rape.

Miguel Torres
Miguel Torres

Top-ten bantamweight Miguel Torres has rejoined the UFC, according to reports from Ariel Helwani. Torres was seen with UFC President Dana White in the media scrum following Wednesday's UFC 141 pre-fight press conference.

A former WEC champion, Torres was unceremoniously released from the promotion earlier this month after posting a controversial message on his Twitter account. The message, which read, "If a rape van was called a surprise van more women wouldn't mind going for rides in them. Everyone like surprises," was the third rape-related controversy for the UFC in a span of a month, following similar comments from Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans.

According to Torres, the post was simply a reference to the popular FX comedy It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In episode two of season four, Frank Reynolds (Danny DeVito) obtains a van that is repeatedly referred to as a "rape van."

"I am very sorry for upsetting my bosses at the UFC, and also to my fans and everyone else who was upset by the language in my tweets," Torres wrote after his release. "I understand it was wrong, and I meant no harm or disrespect. Given the chance, I will do whatever it takes to make things right. I am going to learn from this. I think life throws you opportunities that can make you a better person, and so that's what I'm going to do here."

At the time White was adamant about his decision, however it since seems he has had a change of heart. According to Helwani, the UFC President revealed that Torres was extremely remorseful and donated money to local rape centers at his own discretion.

"Torres handled his business like a man," White reportedly said. "And no one told him to do it."

Prior to the controversy, the 30-year-old fighter experienced an admirable career resurgence. Torres (40-4) has won three of his last four fights, with the only loss coming in a controversial decision against Demetrious Johnson. He last appeared at UFC 139, dominating Nick Pace en route to a unanimous decision victory.