Torres has looked like a new man since switching his training camp to the reputed Tristar gym under Firas Zihabi but Demetrious Johnson has been through a gauntlet of top opposition in every one of his four Zuffa fights thus far.
Both fighters put on a grappling clinic as Johnson used his excellent wrestling to put Torres on his back time and time again. Torres, though, was not disheartened and he worked his fantastic bottom game, constantly looking for sweeps, submissions and reversals.
The bout was hotly contested and Torres was able to use his length on the ground to threaten Johnson but "Mighty Mouse" was constantly able to land back on top.
When it was all said and done, Johnson was awarded a unanimous decision with a 29-28 score on all three judges' scorecards.
So what does this mean for both fighters?
For Torres, he was very dangerous at all times in this fight, and depending on what is viewed as more important, top position or submission attempts and activity from the bottom, he could have won a decision tonight.
The only thing he seems to be lacking is takedown defense, which is something that's not easy to improve when he's got the longest frame in the bantamweight division.
He'll go back to the drawing board to improve his ability to either keep a fight standing or be even more aggressive with his sweeps and submissions. Torres is 30 years old and running out of time to earn a shot to reclaim his title.
For Johnson, this was a HUGE win. He's now won back to back fights against some of the greatest bantamweights in MMA history in Norifumi Yamamoto and Torres.
Johnson has now leap-frogged to the top of the bantamweight division and could very well be one fight away from a title shot. Maybe a rematch with Brad Pickett or a bout against former champion Brian Bowles would be enough to put him over.
Do you think "Mighty Mouse" has what it takes to fight for the title?
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