Since returning to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in Aug. 2013, Thales Leites has ripped off four straight victories inside the Octagon. The former Middleweight title challenger was eager to make it five in a row when he clashed with Tim Boetsch at UFC 183, which took place tonight (Jan. 31, 2015) inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace did just that.
Boetsch, who packs serious power, opened up the action with a combination as Leites tried to close the distance. In the clinch, Boetsch backed him off with an uppercut and was then poked in the eye. After a stop in the action because of an eye poke, Boetsch went head-hunting but Leites countered with a sweet shot that stunted his charge.
As both fighters made it back to the center of the Octagon, Boetsch landed a big uppercut, but Leites absorbed it surprisingly well. Leites seems content to keep it standing, staying in the pocket and landing well -- he striking has improved markedly over the years.
With one minute remaining in the round, Leites attempted a takedown, but Boetsch defended it easily. Thirty seconds to go, Boetsch lands several shots that makes Leites retreat and, in the process, he falls to the ground as "Barbarian" swarms for a possible finish.
Leites, not noticeably dazed, was saved by the bell.
To start the second stanza, Leites opened with a leg kick and then landed a left hook in an exchange shortly thereafter. Boetsch landed a nice straight right that backed up Leites, but he responded with a punch off the cage. Midway through the round, the fighters exchange haymakers in the center of the cage and Leites gets dropped. Boetsch couldn't capitalize and Leites ultimately landed on top and worked for an arm-triangle choke.
Boetsch, somehow, was able to escape, but Leites secured full mount. And before Boetsch could even think about how to try and escape, Leites was already angling for another arm-triangle choke. This one, though, he wasn't going to let slip through his grasp as he cranked it counter clockwise and put Boetsch to sleep in seconds.
Nice submission win for Leites, who ate several big shots and was very swollen post-fight.
For complete UFC 183: "Silva vs. Diaz" results, including play-by-play updates, click here.