18-Time UFC Veteran Thiago Tavares Signs with Brazilian Promotion Aspera FC

Brazilian mixed martial arts promotion Aspera FC announced on its official Facebook account Thursday afternoon that longtime UFC veteran Thiago Tavares has been signed on and will compete on the Aspera FC 49 card in a few weeks.

Tavares was not re-signed by the UFC, per an initial report from MMAFighting.com, and has quickly found a new home to ply his trade. The Santa Catarina native has been fighting inside the famed Octagon for nearly a decade and has scored wins over Spencer Fisher, Sam Stout and Clay Guida, but a July loss to Doo Ho Choi was the final setback in his UFC career.

Tavares has signed a multi-fight deal with Aspera FC and will compete against Mauricio Machado in one of the event’s super fights. Other notable bouts on the marquee include “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” veteran Glaico Franca taking on Ludy Goulart and Alberto Emiliano Pereira locking horns with Huinderson Barbosa.

Aspera FC 49 will take place at Balnearo Camburiu, Brazil on Feb. 18. There is no official word whether the event will be streamed live in the U.S. as of yet.