Tecia Torres

“From getting good grades when I was growing up to finishing college to respecting my elders to the discipline that I have - everything can go back to martial arts.”

“Monday though Wednesday I am in the gym twice; then I have school at night. Those days are hard. The other days are training and writing essays. Time management has been key.”

“To represent the Latin American people - especially Latin American women... there's not many of us fighting. To be one of the ones that are able to set a precedent and to fight in Mexico is really amazing.”

“If it wasn't for the fact that I'm a fighter I wouldn't watch much sports.”

“I can't wait to have my first real UFC fight when there are actually fans around and my teammates and coaches are there.”

“I think that Karate Hottie can get me the title shot... That's who I've been waiting for, karate versus karate, and I think that's a big enough fight to propel me into the No. 1 contender spot.”

“I grew up inside a broken home.”

“I had just come off a win in Invicta, then a couple of days later, Dana called to welcome me to UFC and tell me this was how they were introducing a whole new weight class. My mind was blown.”

“ATT did a lot of classes, and I had a lot of female partners to work with. In Colorado, I don't really do any classes.”

“I saw domestic violence my whole life.”

“I'm a really regimented person.”

“I'm upping my game in all aspects - striking, Jiu Jitsu, wrestling - so I can be ready for every single thing.”

“Honestly, I just think I'm getting better and better, and it's great that I'm in the UFC, but the hard part is staying in the UFC, and that's what I want to do.”

“I'm really good at evading punches.”

“We're all in this sport for the same reason: to get that title fight and become No. 1.”

“I'm straight edge. I've never touched a drug, and I want to show kids that you can accomplish big things the right way.”

“So I'll get my two training sessions in early in the day and then I'll go right to school.”

“I like having my familiarity and my specific coaches there telling me what I need to do.”

“Martial arts will always be a part of my life. I started when I was five, and if I don't open a school one day or teach or manage, I would still practice to stay in shape.”

“Exactly, everyone knows me as a striker, but I want to show I'm a more well-rounded fighter so I can get some of the big fights with the top fighters.”