After having grown accustomed to winning, Thales Leites dropped two fights in a row. After losing his challenge to Anderson Silva’s title, in the UFC, the Jiu-Jitsu black belt ended up coming short again, in a contentious decision to Alessio Sakara. The second setback spelt Thales’ exit from the organization.
But this Friday the 4th, in Canada, the Brazilian returned to his winning ways. In the first of his two-fight contract with Maximum Fighting Championship, the country’s biggest event, Thales faced the rugged Dean Lister, another former UFC fighter who, like Thales, is a ground specialist – and ADCC champion in 2003 and 2005.
Thales against Marquardt in the UFC. Photo: Josh Hedges
After the three-round dispute, Thales overcame the American by unanimous judges’ decision. It was the Brazilian’s 15th win in his 18-fight career.
MFC 23 – Unstoppable
River Cree Resort and Casino, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
December 4, 2009
Billy Hua defeated Kenny Hamilton by TKO 20 seconds into round 2
Ryan Machan submitted Kajan Johnson by rear-naked choke at 3:30min of R3
Nick Penner submitted Ryan Fortin by rear-naked choke at 3:31 min of R2
Jesse Juarez defeated Joe Christopher by unanimous judges’ decision
Dwayne Lewis knocked out Marvin Eastman at 4:58min of R1
Bryan Baker defeated Art Santore by unanimous judges’ decision
Ryan Jimmo defeated Emanuel Newton by unanimous judges’ decision
Jason MacDonald defeated Solomon Hutcherson by split decision
Thales Leites defeated Dean Lister by unanimous judges’ decision