UFC Fight Night 12: Thiago Tavares vs. Michihiro Omigawa

by MMAmania.com on Nov 21, 2007 9:17 AM EST Comment 16 comments

Thiago Tavares vs Michihiro Omigawa at ufc fight night 12
Thiago Tavares (13-1) will fight Michihiro Omigawa (4-5) at UFC Fight Night 12 on January 23, 2008, according to Sherdog.com.

Up until his first loss to Tyson Griffin at UFC 76: "Knockout" in September (a fantastic clash that produced the "Fight of the Night"), Tavares was on the fast-track to top contender status in the lightweight division.

Perhaps it was too fast, however; the talented Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt now appears to have accepted a fight against someone who he should (on paper) handle rather easily.

Here's his take:

"I think he is a good opponent ... the guys from UFC are trying to build my name again because I'm coming off a loss. That's why they didn't give me a top opponent. Not disrespecting him -- he is a good athlete, fought at the Olympics and in big MMA organizations. He is a middle-level fighter, not top, but I'm training to face him like it is a title shot. Every single fight is the most important fight of my life."

Omigawa dropped his Octagon debut Matt Wiman also via unanimous decision at the same September show mentioned above from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Prior to that appearance Omigawa made a name for himself competing under the DEEP banner in Japan.

It's important to note that before his loss to Wiman that Omigawa was on a three-fight winning streak.

Tavares was on a roll with impressive UFC wins over Jason Black and Naoyuki Kotani before he met up with Griffin. It's a fight that in his mind he feels he did not lose.

Here's another snip:

"You have no idea what I've being going through since that fight ... Plus the fact I didn't think I lost. ... Maybe he won, but I didn't agree with the way that gave him the victory. ... There was a judge giving him 30-27; that guy had bad intentions. I'm trying to let it go, but I will over-think it. I'm trying to see that fight not as one step back, but as I didn't make a step forward. I'll beat Omigawa in January and I hope to fight in April again because by the end of the upcoming year, I'll be back to the top again. That loss will give me a lot of victories -- that's a promise."

His newfound motivation could spell trouble for Omigawa and the rest of the 155-pound class in 2008. It should be fun to watch and find out.

For the latest rumored UFC Fight Night 12 fight card click here.

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Tavares vs Edgar?

by PhilQNY on Nov 21, 2007 9:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Who is Nate Diaz going to fight??

by PhilQNY on Nov 21, 2007 9:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Tavares vs Edgar?

What does this mean?

by MMAmania on Nov 21, 2007 9:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Tavares is going to destroy Omigawa. Especially since Omigawa got no Powa.

by Griffinfan05 on Nov 21, 2007 9:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Tavares vs Edgar?

What does this mean?[/quote

It’s a thought for a likely match up.

by PhilQNY on Nov 21, 2007 9:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I heard Nate was trying to get his contract bought out so he could leave the UFC , him and Dana arent meshing .. Which is why he isnt getting promoted like the other TUF winners. Which is perfect if you ask me , good riddance.

by Dayzah on Nov 21, 2007 9:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

THIAGO WILL DESTROY!! YEAH YEAH KEVIN KELLY..i know that Tyson beat Thiago but that shit was close and I think if Thiago had another shot he would beat Tyson. I still think Thiago is a force to be reckoned with. He needs to fight Frankie or Ken Flo. I think Ken Flo would be a sick match up for Thiago.

by STUNNALATOR on Nov 21, 2007 9:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Kurt Angle in IFL (maybe in mid November)http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson320.htm

by chris on Nov 21, 2007 10:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

If Michihiro Omigawa can get submitted by Matt Wiman (where is he now!?) I am pretty sure Thigao Tavares will submit him round one.

by "Mr. NC-17" on Nov 21, 2007 10:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The like the lightweights. There are some really athletic guys in that division. Griffin and Guida are always fight of the night material. Edgar is rising fast. Of course you have Sherk, Penn and Stevenson. Ken Flo and Spencer Fisher can beat anyone in the division any given night. Roger Huerta, Hermes Franca, Din Thomas, Joe Lauzon and Nate Diaz have to be mentioned too. Looking at this list of fighters, I have to say the lightweights might be the deepest division. It’s close. Lightheavies and the welterweights can make their case as well.

by Andy on Nov 21, 2007 10:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

tavares will beat him down in the first round

by bryant on Nov 21, 2007 10:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thiago is a rabbid wolf in the cage. I think he is one of the better prospects in the 55ers.

Thiago is a force to be reckoned with. He needs to fight Frankie or Ken Flo. I think Ken Flo would be a sick match up for Thiago.

Totally agree, either of these fights would be great, and move the winner up the rankings.

by FFL on Nov 21, 2007 11:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thiago is a force to be reckoned with. He needs to fight Frankie or Ken Flo. I think Ken Flo would be a sick match up for Thiago.

Tavarez vs Kenny Florian is a fight I’ve wanted to see since the Tavarez/Black fight.

by ViolentMike on Nov 21, 2007 11:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Tavarez vs Kenny Florian is a fight I’ve wanted to see since the Tavarez/Black fight.

Speaking about Jason Black, have you all caught the UFC 77 prelim with Jason Black and Matt Grice. Possible Fight of the Year. 2nd Round best round I have ever seen.

Where is Matt Wiman!? Geeze.

Thiago should fight Matt Wiman who at least has a win inside the octagon.

How nice would it be to get Gomi in here right now to fight Thiago.

by "Mr. NC-17" on Nov 21, 2007 1:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs