By Erik Engelhart

Photo Eduardo Ferreira

After leaving the UFC octagon, Thales Leites defeated Dean Lister and Rico Washington. With a new home at MFC, where the Brazilian fights for the title in May 7, Leites celebrates the victories.

“I’m more mature since I left the UFC, I started to see things with other eyes, I changed my game to follow the MMA tendency. They pay you to fight and they want entertainment. If you don’t entertain them, there’s a big line behind you wanting to fight. It’s the market. To keep yourself there, you have to do exciting fights,” comments.

And he believes it’s possible to remain in the UFC even with a loss. “Wanderlei (Silva) is there even losing three of his last five fights. He’s a showman, and that’s what the UFC wants,” the black belt said, eyeing a UFC return. “I was upset when I left the UFC, but now I feel more mature and I’m sure one day I’ll be there again”.