He began training in tae kwon do when he was seven years old and later attended East Chicago Central High School where he competed in wrestling.
[4] For a number of years Torres fought primarily in small, unsanctioned events held in nightclubs and bars.
Prior to signing with the WEC, he fought often on local shows, including the Total Fight Challenge and Ironheart Crown.
[5] After fighting for several years, Torres sought guidance and training under Carlson Gracie, Sr. As a trainer of many world champions, Gracie immediately recognized Torres's talent and took him on a trip to Brazil where he would publicly issue a challenge to the entire world.
Torres submitted Bedard in the first round with a triangle choke submission and then would go on to publicly request a title shot.
Torres displayed great striking and an equally impressive ground game and submitted Beebe in the first round to become the new WEC Bantamweight Champion.
[6] Torres was next expected to face Brian Bowles in the main event of WEC 40 on April 5, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois.
The fight headlined WEC 42 on August 9, 2009, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
On March 6, 2010, at WEC 47,[7] Torres faced and was defeated by Joseph Benavidez, via guillotine choke midway through the second round.
[10] Torres made his promotional debut against fellow WEC veteran Antonio Banuelos on February 5, 2011, at UFC 126.
[12] However, Pickett was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by future UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson.
On December 8, 2011, it was announced by UFC president Dana White, in an interview with SI.com, that Torres had been cut from the UFC due to the following quote from the TV show Workaholics made on Torres' Twitter page: "If a rape van was called a surprise van more women wouldn't mind going for rides in them.
[24][25] He was expected to compete in the Glory 17: Los Angeles - Featherweight Contendership Tournament in Inglewood, California on June 21, 2014[26] but withdrew for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Marcus Vinicius.
[28] Torres owns and operates a mixed martial arts academy in Griffith, Indiana where he teaches nearly 300 students.