Thales Leites

Brazil

Lands six-month medical suspension
MiddleweightOther
September 25, 2018
Leites was handed a 180-day medical suspension Tuesday, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
This is mostly a paper move, as Leites retired following last weekend's bout. If he does want to make a comeback, however, he'll need to get clearance on his left knee to return to action before six months have passed.
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Ends long career with win over Hector Lombard
MiddleweightOther
September 22, 2018
In the final fight of his professional career, Leites defeated Hector Lombard via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
ANALYSIS
Leites announced last month that this would be the end of his nearly 15-year professional career and he goes out on top. Leites merely survived Round 1 before taking the final two frames from a fast-fading Lombard. Leites was an underrated, valuable member of the UFC roster for almost a dozen years. His first fight with the company came against Martin Kampmann at The Ultimate Fighter 4 Finale in November 2006. The 37-year-old Brazilian deserves credit for knowing when to step aside.
Plans to retire after UFC Sao Paulo
MiddleweightOther
August 16, 2018
Leites (27-9-0) intends to retire from professional fighting following his Sept. 22 bout with Hector Lombard (34-9-1) at UFC Sao Paulo, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Leites' MMA career has lasted nearly 15 years, with the 36-year-old carrying a 12-8-0 record since moving to the UFC. The Brazilian middleweight suggested that avoiding long-term brain damage was his main motive from stepping away from the sport, though he'll get one final chance to fight in his home country before retiring. Leites will re-enter the Octagon on somewhat of a downturn after taking losses in five of his last seven fights, though one of those defeats came against a former UFC champ in Michael Bisping.
Welcomes Hector Lombard to Sao Paulo
MiddleweightOther
July 30, 2018
Leites will take on Hector Lombard in a middleweight matchup at UFC Sao Paulo on Sept. 22, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Leites may be just 1-3 in his last four bouts, but he draws an even colder fighter in the 40-year-old Lombard, who is winless in his last six. On paper, Leites seems to have all of the advantages. He's a few years younger, fighting in his home city, and has significant height and reach advantages over Lombard, a former welterweight. He may not throw the same striking volume as Lombard, but look for Leites to be agressive with takedowns and use his size advantage to keep Lombard on his back.
Suffers crushing loss to Jack Hermansson at UFC 224
MiddleweightOther
May 12, 2018
Leites lost to Jack Hermansson via TKO (punches) at 2:10 of Round 3 at UFC 224 on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro.
ANALYSIS
A pro since November 2003, this will without a doubt go down as one of the most disappointing losses of Leites' long career. Facing an opponent in Hermansson that was dealing with an injury and essentially fighting on one leg, not only could Leites not earn the submission stoppage despite having ample opportunity in Round 2, he then got stopped by Hermansson's ground-and-pound in the final frame. Sporting a 2-5 record in his last seven fights dating back to July 2015, it's time for the 36-year-old Leites to seriously consider hanging up his gloves.
To fight Jack Hermansson at UFC 224
MiddleweightOther
March 12, 2018
Leites is scheduled to fight Jack Hermansson at UFC 224 on May 12, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Leites (27-4) will look to bounce back from a defeat by unanimous decision at the hands of Brad Tavares from last October's UFC 216. However, Hermansson (16-4) will be doing the same, considering he's coming off a October 2017 loss to Thiago Santos.