UFC middleweight contender Thales Leites (14-1-0) has won his last 5 bouts in the UFC and feels ready to take on whoever is handed to him in the octagon. Leites’ main goal is the UFC middleweight title, but there may be a few other mixed martial arts fighters next in line including the undefeated Demian Maia.
Maia currently holds an overall MMA record of 9 wins and 0 losses (4-0 in the UFC). A bout between Leites and Maia would set forth a battle of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Leites talked to tatame.com this past weekend and describes where he pretty much stands in the UFC today.
Here’s a snip from Leites as he talks about his quest for the UFC middleweight title and his view of a possible fight against Demian Maia:
"Im in a good position in the category, coming from five victories and getting better in UFC. I don’t know what’s gonna happen, if they’re going to give me the title show, put me as the TUF coach, but whatever comes is good to me…I don’t know anything yet. Andre Pederneiras (his manager) is taking care of that, but I don’t have anything right yet…I’d accept a fight, I’m a professional. Demian is a great fighter and has been doing a great job in UFC. It’s possible that they put this fight, because the belt is with a Brazilian guy and we’re growing, so they can put this fight to take on the Brazilians from the tops…I believe it’d be a good fight, we almost have a the same game and it’s kind of different from the American guys, who goes from striking and work on the job ground n’ pound. We know each other’s game and it’d be a huge fight. Demian has been doing a good job, but I’d accept this fight."
Thales Leites defeats Ryan Jensen at UFC 74: ‘Respect’ via an armbar submission at 3:47 of round 1 (photo taken from ufc.com— August 26, 2007).
