Brad Tavares, welcome to the top 15.
The Waiakea graduate peppered Thales Leites on Saturday to kick off UFC 216 in Las Vegas, earning a unanimous decision to score his third consecutive mixed martial arts victory.
“I did everything I wanted to do but put him away,” Tavares said.
Tavares (16-4 overall, 12-4 UFC) entered the octagon respectful of Leites’ ground game, but the 29-year-old relied on a steady left jab and a vicious right kick to stay out trouble. The three-round middleweight fight was scored 30-26, 30-26, 30-27.
“I wanted to make sure I went out and implemented my game plan,” Tavares said, “because I knew what his game plan would be.
“I was ready.”
Tavares entered the bout as the favorite, but he hoped to use a thorough performance against the 13th-ranked Leites (27-8 overall, 12-7 UFC) to crack the top 15.
He got exactly what he wanted.
“Tough guy …” Tavares said. “He’s just another guy on the list. He’s on my way up.”
According to UFC.com, Tavares owned a 70-46 advantage in significant strikes (80-50 overall), knocking a bloodied Leites down with a leg kick in the third round.
Leites was unsuccessful in bating Tavares to the ground and never scored a takedown.
While Tavares has won four of his past five fights, Leites has lost four of six.
UFC 216 at T-Mobile Arena was the first major sporting event on the Strip since the deadly mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest festival last weekend. UFC president Dana White said more than 1,500 free tickets would be given to first responders.
For those who came out, Tavares’ was the first fight they saw.
“I really wanted to put a show on for them,” Tavares said. “They were amazing last Sunday. Hats off the them.”
