Leites to Meet Marquardt at UFC 81
Thales Leites
(Pictures) has confirmed to
Sherdog.com that he will return to the Octagon on Feb. 2 at UFC 81
against Nathan
Marquardt (Pictures).
"I thought it was a very good choice," the Brazilian middleweight said of his opponent. "He is a very experienced guy, and for sure it will be a great fight. Marquardt is explosive, has good striking and grappling skills, which means he is dangerous."
Leites hopes the bout will be his last before a title shot. To fight for the championship, though, he knows he must show a strong performance against Marquardt.
"If I win, I hope for a title shot, but that depends on the UFC," said Leites, who has won three straight and is 12-1 overall. "That's why I want to do well in this fight and wait for the next, for the title."
UFC 81 will host a heavyweight title match and also a showdown between Frank Mir (Pictures) and Brock Lesnar (Pictures). The 26-year-old Leites is happy to be on the card.
"I'm glad and honored," he said. "This shows me they are enjoying my work, and I hope to fight even better."
After three outstanding victories in 2007, Leites is preparing for a big year in 2008.
"This year has been excellent to me," said Leites, who is far removed from a loss to Martin Kampmann (Pictures) in his UFC debut. "It was very good because I reached my goal, to recover from my defeat, show my face and make a name for myself at the UFC as a contender to the title."
"I thought it was a very good choice," the Brazilian middleweight said of his opponent. "He is a very experienced guy, and for sure it will be a great fight. Marquardt is explosive, has good striking and grappling skills, which means he is dangerous."
Leites hopes the bout will be his last before a title shot. To fight for the championship, though, he knows he must show a strong performance against Marquardt.
"If I win, I hope for a title shot, but that depends on the UFC," said Leites, who has won three straight and is 12-1 overall. "That's why I want to do well in this fight and wait for the next, for the title."
UFC 81 will host a heavyweight title match and also a showdown between Frank Mir (Pictures) and Brock Lesnar (Pictures). The 26-year-old Leites is happy to be on the card.
"I'm glad and honored," he said. "This shows me they are enjoying my work, and I hope to fight even better."
After three outstanding victories in 2007, Leites is preparing for a big year in 2008.
"This year has been excellent to me," said Leites, who is far removed from a loss to Martin Kampmann (Pictures) in his UFC debut. "It was very good because I reached my goal, to recover from my defeat, show my face and make a name for myself at the UFC as a contender to the title."
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