By Guilherme Cruz

Photo Josh Hedges

With 15 victories and only one loss in whole MMA career, Thales Leites keep growing at the UFC middleweight division. With fours straight wins, the Nova União athlete wants to grow even more, eyeing a title shot against Anderson Silva, for the middleweight belt. “I’m 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”, said Thales, who doesn’t know who’ll be his next opponent and when he’ll be back in action: “I don’t know anything yet. André Pederneiras (his manager) is taking care of that, but I don’t have anything right yet”.

In a category dominated by a Brazilian fighter, Thales is also doing a great job, just like another Brazilian: Demian Maia. While a lot of talents in the middleweight division, the possibility of facing a compatriot to take one out and avoid a Brazilian domination in the category is big, but Thales isn’t worried about that. “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 one of the Brazilians from the tops”, believes Leites, who believes that would be a great fight. “I believe it’d be a good fight, we almost have the same game and it’s kind of different from the American guys, who goes from striking and work on the 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”.