Thales Leites

Thales Leites is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who spent 12 years competing in the UFC middleweight division, establishing himself as one of the most submission-heavy grapplers in the promotion's history. After an undefeated run through Brazilian and regional American promotions in the mid-2000s, Leites earned his UFC title shot against Anderson Silva at UFC 97 in 2009 in what many consider the worst fight in UFC history, losing by unanimous decision in a fight defined by inaction. A brief UFC release in 2009 after a controversial loss to Alessio Sakara could have ended his career, but Leites returned to regional competition and earned his way back into the octagon in 2013, where he competed with greater success through the mid-2010s.

Leites fought with a technical submission-first approach, holding the record for most submission attempts in UFC middleweight history and tying for the second-most submission wins in divisional history. His signature arm-triangle choke became his calling card, and his 2015 submission victory over Tim Boetsch earned both fighters Fight of the Night honors, with Leites receiving his second Performance of the Night bonus. He won accolades throughout his career for technical excellence, but his conservative, control-oriented style drew criticism from some fans who felt he prioritized safety and decisions over aggression.

By his final years in the cage, losses to elite competition like Brad Tavares, Gegard Mousasi, and Jack Hermansson signaled declining form, and Leites announced his retirement in 2018 after defeating Hector Lombard. His legacy remains that of a durable, intelligent grappler who thrived by imposing his will on the ground and showcased the enduring value of submission mastery, even as the sport evolved toward more well-rounded striking and athleticism.