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.
17 Comments »
Tavares vs Edgar?
Who is Nate Diaz going to fight??
[quote comment="215072"]Tavares vs Edgar?[/quote]
What does this mean?
Tavares is going to destroy Omigawa. Especially since Omigawa got no Powa.
[quote comment="215078"][quote comment="215072"]Tavares vs Edgar?[/quote]
What does this mean?[/quote
It’s a thought for a likely match up.
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.
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.
Kurt Angle in IFL (maybe in mid November)http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson320.htm
If Michihiro Omigawa can get submitted by Matt Wiman (where is he now!?) I am pretty sure Thigao Tavares will submit him round one.
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.
tavares will beat him down in the first round
Thiago is a rabbid wolf in the cage. I think he is one of the better prospects in the 55ers.
[quote post="3971"]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. [/quote]
Totally agree, either of these fights would be great, and move the winner up the rankings.
[quote comment="215108"]If Michihiro Omigawa can get submitted by Matt Wiman (where is he now!?) I am pretty sure Thigao Tavares will submit him round one.[/quote]
Exactly. Talk about a serius step down in competition after suffering his first loss of his career. His opponent has a losing record of 4-5 and was submitted by Matt Wiman. This fight will not go past the first round without Omigawa tapping in round 1.
[quote post="3971"]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. [/quote]
Tavarez vs Kenny Florian is a fight I’ve wanted to see since the Tavarez/Black fight.
[quote comment="215204"][quote comment="215108"]If Michihiro Omigawa can get submitted by Matt Wiman (where is he now!?) I am pretty sure Thigao Tavares will submit him round one.[/quote]
Exactly. Talk about a serius step down in competition after suffering his first loss of his career. His opponent has a losing record of 4-5 and was submitted by Matt Wiman. This fight will not go past the first round without Omigawa tapping in round 1.
[quote post="3971"]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. [/quote]
Tavarez vs Kenny Florian is a fight I’ve wanted to see since the Tavarez/Black fight.[/quote]
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.
For some reason I thought Wiman submitted Omigawa, but he won via Unanimous Decision.
Either way, Tavares wins round 1 Submission.
Seems like Dana is brining in these “mid-level” Japanese fighters to be fish food for his UFC piranha. Why not try to bring in Gomi???