*** Welcome to piglix ***

Thiago Tavares

Thiago Tavares
Born (1984-11-08) November 8, 1984 (age 32)
Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Nationality Brazilian
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight 146 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
Division Lightweight
Featherweight
Reach 69.0 in (175 cm)
Team Team Tavares
Brazilian Top Team
Rank      3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Mixed martial arts record
Total 28
Wins 20
By knockout 3
By submission 13
By decision 4
Losses 7
By knockout 5
By decision 2
Draws 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Thiago de Mello Tavares (born November 8, 1984) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and politician. He currently fights in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Tavares made his professional MMA debut in November 2003. He amassed an undefeated record of 10-0 in his first three years in the sport before being signed by the UFC.

Tavares entered the UFC with an undefeated record and was highly regarded. Tavares outgrappled fellow UFC-newcomer Naoyuki Kotani to a unanimous decision, followed by a dominant submission victory over Jason Black. Tavares fought perennial contender Tyson Griffin to a unanimous decision loss, the first of his professional career, at UFC 76. They would win Fight of the Night honors for their performance.

Thiago rebounded with a unanimous decision victory over Michihiro Omigawa at UFC Fight Night: Swick vs Burkman. Tavares was knocked out in his next bout by Matt Wiman and lost a unanimous decision to Kurt Pellegrino nearly three months later. This marked the first time Tavares lost two straight contests after beginning his career with twelve straight wins.

Tavares defeated TUF finalist Manvel Gamburyan via unanimous decision at UFC 94 in a close fight.

Tavares and Nik Lentz fought to a majority draw at UFC Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz. Tavares was docked a point in the third round for a second kick to the groin of Lentz. After the fight Lentz was interviewed and had shared with a reporter his belief that Tavares had intentionally kicked him in the groin and happened to crack Lentz's metal cup.


...
Wikipedia

...