Jose "Shorty" Torres: Equivalent Exchange

About this episode

Jose "Shorty" Torres discusses his journey in combat sports, mental health, and the impact of anime on his life.

"I’m a good fighter, I just don’t like fighting." Former UFC flyweight and current RIZIN standout Jose "Shorty" Torres joins the table for a deep dive into the physical and mental "Equivalent Exchange" of the fight game. From the segregated streets of South Side Chicago to the legendary rings of Japan, Jose shares the raw reality of his journey: surviving a "blackballing" in the UFC, the loss of his father, and his daily battle with mental health. In this episode, we discuss: The RIZIN Experience: Why Japanese fans treat fighters like warriors, even in defeat. Chicago Roots: Growing up around the influence of a gang-chief father. The Power Ranger Connection: His deep brotherhood with the late Jason David Frank . Equivalent Exchange: How anime like Fullmetal Alchemist and Cowboy Bebop saved his life during his darkest days. The Team Shorty Foundation: Using 100% of his proceeds to keep kids off the streets and in the gym. The Bite: Mediterranean delicacies at La Marsa in Coral Springs. Follow Jose "Shorty" Torres: Instagram: @JoseShortyTorresSupport the foundation: TeamShorty.com Subscribe to Backbreakers and Bites for more…

People in this episode

Host: Clinch Chronicles

Guest: Jose "Shorty" Torres

Topics covered

• mental health
• UFC
• RIZIN
• Chicago
• anime
• youth programs

Keywords

• Jose Torres
• UFC
• RIZIN
• mental health
• anime
• youth foundation
• Chicago
• Jason David Frank

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Team Shorty Foundation

Books & works: Fullmetal Alchemist, Cowboy Bebop

Places: South Side Chicago, Japan, Coral Springs

More episodes of Backbreakers and Bites

• Mitchell Chamale: The Blueprint of Hustle · March 3, 2026 · 1h 7m
• Gilbert Burns : From Bartering to Big Fights · December 7, 2025 · 1h 27m
• Evan Elder: Faith, Fighting & The Front Lines · December 7, 2025 · 1h 27m
• Robby Ramos: Grit, Legacy & Theater · June 7, 2025 · 43 min
• Luis Palomino: Motivation is a Scam · May 21, 2025 · 1h 41m
• Jay Jay Wilson: From the Attic to the PFL · May 7, 2025 · 1h 30m