Thiago Tavares

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.

Early career

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.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Lightweight

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.

Tavares was scheduled to face Melvin Guillard on May 29, 2010 at UFC 114, but Tavares was forced off the card with an elbow injury. He was replaced by Waylon Lowe.

Tavares was set to face Willamy Freire at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko taking place August 1, 2010. However, on July 20, 2010, Freire withdrew because of an injury, forcing the bout to be cancelled.

Tavares faced UFC newcomer Pat Audinwood on September 25, 2010 at UFC 119, replacing an injured Aaron Riley. Tavares defeated Audinwood via submission (guillotine choke) in the first round.

Tavares then faced Shane Roller on March 3, 2011 at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann. He lost the fight via KO in the second round. Though Tavares hurt Roller in the first round, he was unable to finish him. During the second round, Tavares was caught by a straight right from Roller that knocked him out.

Tavares defeated Spencer Fisher via second-round TKO on August 27, 2011 at UFC 134.

Tavares faced Sam Stout on January 14, 2012 at UFC 142. He won the fight via unanimous decision after utilizing takedowns with his top control for most of the fight.

Tavares was expected to face Tony Ferguson on May 5, 2012 at UFC on Fox 3, replacing an injured Dennis Hallman. However, Tavares was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Michael Johnson.

Tavares was expected to face Dennis Hallman on September 1, 2012 at UFC 151. However, after UFC 151 was cancelled, Tavares/Hallman was then rescheduled to October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5. Just prior to the UFC on FX 5 weigh ins, Dennis Hallman alerted officials and Tavares that he would miss weight by 7 pounds. Tavares was given the option to take the fight anyways at a catchweight. He stated he would only fight if Hallman could make it within 3 lbs of the 156 lb. limit. Hallman couldn't make it in the allowed time and so the bout was cancelled.

Tavares next faced the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov on January 19, 2013 at UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping. He lost the fight via KO early in the first round. Following his loss to Nurmagomedov, it was announced that Tavares had tested positive for the banned substance drostanolone during his post-fight drug test and, subsequently, was suspended for nine months retroactive to January 19.

Tavares was expected to face Quinn Mulhern on November 9, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 32. However, Mulhern pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Justin Salas. Tavares won the fight via submission in the first round.

Move to Featherweight

Tavares was expected to face promotional newcomer Zubaira Tukhugov in a featherweight bout on February 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 36. However, Tavares was forced out of the bout citing a rib injury and replaced by Douglas Silva de Andrade.

Tavares was expected to face Tom Niinimäki on May 31, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 41. However, Tavares pulled out of the bout citing another injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Niklas Bäckström.

In his eventual featherweight debut, Tavares faced Robbie Peralta on August 16, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 47. Tavares won the fight via submission in the first round after completely dominating Peralta on the ground. The win also earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Tavares was expected to face Nik Lentz in a rematch on February 14, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 60. However, Tavares pulled out of the bout in late January citing yet another injury.

Tavares was expected to face Zubaira Tukhugov on June 6, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 68. However, Tukhugov was replaced by Brian Ortega. Tavares lost the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the third round. Despite the loss, Tavares was awarded his fourth Fight of the Night bonus award.

Tavares faced Clay Guida on November 7, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 77. He won the fight with a quick submission in the first round. The win also earned Tavares his second Performance of the Night bonus award.

Tavares next faced Doo Ho Choi on July 8, 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale Tavares lost the fight via KO in the first round.

• Ultimate Fighting Championships
  • Fight of the Night (Four times)
  • Submission of the Night (One time)
  • Performance of the Night (Two times)
• It's Showtime MMA
  • 2006 It's Showtime MMA Title -70 kg
• Rumble of Amsterdam
  • 2006 Lightweight Grand Prix Champion
• MMAJunkie.com
  • 2015 June Fight of the Month vs. Brian Ortega

• Mike Bohn (July 3, 2015). "MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for June: Featherweight bangers steal the show". mmajunkie.com.