BRAVE Combat Federation’s Jose ‘Shorty’ Torres fights to be a hero and also show people that a tough upbringing won’t keep them from accomplishing their goals.
“One of the first memories I have in life is when I was fighting with my father and brother in bed,” ‘Shorty’ recalled. “At age 4, I joined Shotokan karate classes and never stopped since then.”
From his time as a toddler, until he graduated from college, he went through multiple disciplines and got himself experienced in wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, and pankration, building a comprehensive background for his future mixed martial arts career.
A turning point for the young Torres was the moment he joined Master Bob Schirmer in his native Illinois, USA. “I joined Combat-Do with head coach Master Bob Schirmer and listened to all of his instructions on what to do and when to fight”.
But Torres didn’t stop there. He made sure he had the best empirical knowledge associated with developing critical and academic thinking, the reason why he picked college graduation that would fit his goals and ambitions: a bachelor’s degree in leadership and exercise science.
Torres incorporated all these references into his style, which he believes made him a unique specimen. “As a fighter, I know I’m unique because of my accomplishments and my pressure and counter fighting style. I always want to put on a show and have fun. I don’t fight for myself or the enjoyment of the sport. I do this for other people. To make them happy, inspire and guide and teach them to accomplish their goals,” he said.
“I fight for two reasons,” he said. “I fight to accomplish all of the goals both my late father and my brother wanted to achieve. I also fight to be a hero and an inspiration. To show people that a tough upbringing doesn’t mean you can’t succeed and accomplish your goals. I want to show people if this ‘Shorty’ can do it, anyone can”.
With an impressive resume, two world titles at IMMAF amateur world championships and as a two-division champion of Titan FC in the USA regional scene, Torres expects to emulate the same success in the international level, at BRAVE CF.
“I want to be a double champ again for the third time,” he said. “I did it twice in my career, once as an amateur and then right after becoming a pro athlete. Now I’m going for a ‘three-peat’, and I want to accomplish it as soon as possible.”