Thiago Tavares

Thiago Tavares is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who built his 18-fight UFC career on grappling excellence and submission hunting. Born in Florianopolis in 1984, he began training in judo at age five and Brazilian jiu-jitsu at nine, developing the technical foundation that would define his fighting style. He entered the UFC with a perfect 10-0 record and quickly earned respect for his takedown control and positional dominance, even though early losses to Tyson Griffin and Kurt Pellegrino stalled his initial push toward contention. What Tavares lacked in knockout power or striking flash, he made up for in toughness and willingness to engage in grinding, competitive wars that consistently earned bonus awards from the UFC.

Tavares' signature fights showcase his grappling identity. He submitted Pat Audinwood with a slick guillotine choke in the first round, controlled Sam Stout for three rounds using takedowns and top control, and delivered a second-round TKO against Spencer Fisher. Despite losses to notable opponents like Khabib Nurmagomedov (via KO in the first round) and Brian Ortega (via third-round TKO), Tavares earned four Fight of the Night bonuses, marking him as a fighter who brought competitive energy to every bout. His record of 10-7-1 in the UFC reflects a solid mid-card veteran who never quite reached title contention but remained a respected grappler and submission threat.

After his UFC release in 2016, Tavares took a path few fighters follow: he retired to pursue a medical degree, studying in Argentina while stepping away from the sport. He returned for brief stints in smaller Brazilian promotions before retiring again to focus on his medical career. In 2025, at age 40 and now a certified doctor with ringside physician credentials and experience covering over 300 MMA and muay Thai matches, Tavares rejoined the UFC as a ringside doctor. His return to the organization he credits with funding his education represents a full-circle moment, transitioning from a warrior who declared 'to beat me, they'd have to try to kill me' into a medical professional safeguarding fighter health.