Thiago fought last night at the KOTC in Cleveland Ohio. Thiago was matched up against Jeff Cox.
Thiago came out and threw a high kick which missed. Jeff came in and Pitbull delivered a big knee putting Jeff on the canvas. Thiago then followed with a few strikes to the head before the ref stopped this fight 15 seconds of the first round!
Pitbull is an tenacious fighter who puts on a hell of a show each time out. If you get the chance to watch him, you should check him out. Kid loves to stand and trade and has been improving in all aspects of his game.
Also, nice job by Paulo Guerrero on his decision win over Jason Dent.
Also wanted to congratulate Jorge Gurgel. I heard he and Jason Ireland put on a great great fight. Props to both guys and congrats to Jorge on pulling out a tough hard earned W.
How well does Thiago speak English? If he is fluent, then I'd like to see him on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter. If he needs some work with his English then maybe he should take some time to improve it over the next few mths, as casting for the next season is not far off.
Being on The Ultimate Fighter makes you a national star, of sorts, in a short span of time.
Believe me, a guy who is as well as known as any of the core group on the current show will eventually be able do other things (both related to, and outside of MMA) later to make easy money. It's a very good gig to have.
However, if you enter The UFC on your own merit (granted, this is the best way to get in .. and I definately am not saying Thiago doesn't have the skills and toughness to do it that way, it's just easier and makes more sense to do it via the easy $$$$$$ way) then you're typically matched very tough right off the bat, and if you get a little awestruck and cannot perform (think James Irvin) then you have probably ruined that particular chance in there. It takes years to earn your way back, and sometimes guys never make it back at all.
I think Thiago has all the tools to earn a berth, but why not take the easier road and get the perks that come along with it.
I extracted that fight so I could watch it over and over.
Cox bullrushes Alves to the cage, throwing an arm punch combo as he advances ... Thiago immediately grabs Cox's head and pulls him down into a perfect thai knee that, for intents and purposes, ends the fight ... "But wait", lol he then throws 6 punches, 4 of which land, and 3 of those last 4 were very hard shots too!
I seriously think Thiago is ready for guys on the fringe of the top 10-15, and as I typed earlier, he would also do really well on the second season of TUF at welterweight too.
