Thales “The Underestimated” Leites

People are not giving Thales Leites the respect he deserves after a decision loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 97.

People instead are saying that it is a lack of performance on the Anderson Side.

Why is it that most MMA fans seem to be underestimating Thales? Do people forget that he is a technical master of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Anderson Silva didn’t and he kept that fact in mind the whole five round fight. Both fighters were aware of the other’s strengths in the fight, but Thales seemed to be gassed by the end of third round, which can be expected because you can never really simulate an actual five round title fight in training.

Early in the fight Thales demonstrated his dominance on the ground, but Anderson quickly regained his composure and control. Anderson then had the referee make Thales stand when he would fall to the ground as a result to either defense to Anderson's dominate striking or a failed attempt at an attack or offensive gain in position of his own, making a rather boring fight for some.

The fight came down to Anderson being extremely careful not to get taken to the ground when closing the distance in his attacks and Thales being extra shy or careful on his feet not being afraid to get forced to the ground in defense for a chance to catch his breath.

The only arguable thing that was wrong with the fight was the fighters both over respected each other’s primary disciple and the slow pace of the fight seemingly due to Thales inexperience in five round championship fights. Other than that Anderson displayed just how talented he is at stand up keeping his hand at his side showboating a bit for the crowed, kind of clowning Thales for the lack of skill in his stand up.

In the end both fighters fought smart. Anderson was the more aggressive scoring more points and showing some savage technique not seen often in the UFC these days so Anderson gained the decision. Anybody unsatisfied by the fight enough to criticize either of the fighters should really check out back yard fighting or the tough man contests where people are under trained enough to give you a bloody scrap with a lot of action and no skill or talent.