#8
Summary: Very focused, strong chin
Fighter Info
From: | Brasilia Brazil |
Fights Out Of: | Brasilia Brazil |
Age: | 30 |
Height: | 5' 11" ( 180 cm ) |
Weight: | 170 lb ( 77 kg ) |
Thiago made his professional debut at Storm Samurai 8 in 2005. He fought Ricardo Petrucio and won the fight via submission in round three. His next three fights came on the same night almost a year after his debut. Thiago competed in the Grand Prix Planaltina, winning all three of his fights and became the tournament winner. Thiago finished all three of the fights by submission. After two more victories, Thiago was signed by Jungle Fights MMA. Thiago won four fights for the promotion before being signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championships.[2]
He currently trains with the Constrictor Team, an affiliate of Team Black House; the famed gym of Anderson Silva and the Nogueira brothers.
Thiago never signed a contract before his fight against Koscheck, he was only able to acquire a tryout.[3] Thiago made his UFC debut on February 21, 2009, scoring an upset victory over top contender Josh Koscheck at UFC 95. During the fight, commentator Joe Rogan commented that Thiago's striking looked inferior to Koscheck's. However, Thiago won the fight by KO, with a flush right uppercut and a left hook. The referee stopped the fight before Thiago could pounce on him. Koscheck immediately rose and argued that he was still alert and able to defend himself. Further review of the replay shows Koscheck's eyes roll back as he falls down, giving merit to the stoppage. At the post-fight conference, Dana White confirmed that Thiago had won the Knockout of the Night award.
Thiago had his second fight in the UFC, fighting against welterweight contender and Koscheck teammate Jon Fitch. The fight took place at UFC 100. This was Thiago's first fight in the United States and he lost via unanimous decision. This fight was delayed until after the main event due to time constraints.
He then defeated UFC newcomer Jacob Volkmann at UFC 106 via unanimous decision (29–28, 30–27, 30–27). The fight originally was set to be on the undercard but after a fight was cancelled at last minute, Thiago's fight was bumped up to main card.
In Thiago's fourth outing in the UFC octagon, he was set to have a rematch against Josh Koscheck at UFC 109.[4] However, Koscheck pulled out of the bout after an undisclosed injury.[5] Koscheck was replaced by AKA team-mate Mike Swick.[6] Thiago won via submission (D'arce Choke) in the second round and earned his second UFC fight bonus with the win.
Thiago faced Martin Kampmann on June 12, 2010, at UFC 115 where he lost by unanimous decision.[7]
Diego Sanchez defeated Thiago by a unanimous decision on October 23, 2010, at UFC 121.[8] Though Thiago started the round off strong, he began to succumb to the wrestling abilities of Sanchez in the second and third rounds. The fight earned "Fight of the Night", awarding both fighters an extra paycheck.
In November 2010, Thiago signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC.[9] Thiago was expected to face Johny Hendricks on March 3, 2011, at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann.[10] However, Thiago was forced out of the bout with an elbow injury.[11]
Thiago is now slated to fight David Mitchell on August 27, 2011 at UFC 134
