Thales Leites released

Deelow_23 · Post #1 » by **Deelow_23** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 5:16 am

Didn't really care to watch his fights but he was still a good fighter.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/tem ... &zoneid=13

Post #2 » by **CPT** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 5:23 am

This is just speculation on my part, but it was probably a Werdum kind of release where they wanted to significantly cut his pay, he refused, so they parted ways.

If there wasn't this backlash toward him from the fans right now, I think he would be a very good pickup for Strikeforce. They have a pretty decent MW division going there, but he would be near the top of it immediately. Even with the backlash, they might pick him up, as he's a talented fighter with a recognizable name (even if for the wrong reasons).

Nemesis21 · Post #3 » by **Nemesis21** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 6:32 am

They didn't show the Leites/Sakara fight on the PPV. Wish I could see it.

I'm not shocked by his release. Although he was 5- 3 in UFC with wins over Sell, Marquardt and McFedries.

I agree with CPT must have been a contract issue.

Cammo101 · Post #4 » by **Cammo101** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 7:13 am

He made the UFC look bad with that Silva fight and followed that with a loss to a journeyman on an undercard. This is not unexpected. He has a ton of talent though and he will bounce back.

I am more sad about Tamden McCrory being cut. I like watching that dude fight.

Post #5 » by **damo[23]** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:29 am

I imagine Lietes was for contractual purposes, he wasn't worth much in this state to the UFC and having been in a title fight just 1 bout previously, I am sure he felt he was worth more. But it does show how quick you can fall in the UFC, title fight to undercard to cut.

Tamden I didn't particularly like in the first place, but you do feel sorry for these guys a lot of the time when they get cut.

Post #6 » by **Headliner** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 2:45 pm

Tamden was cut? That sucks. I liked him.
He's only like 22 or something, im sure he'll be back in the future.

He should try to get on the Ultimate Fighter show.
Will they let someone who fought on a PPV on? I think Bobby Southward did but that was the first episode.

Cammo101 · Post #7 » by **Cammo101** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 4:56 pm

Headliner wrote:Tamden was cut? That sucks. I liked him.
He's only like 22 or something, im sure he'll be back in the future.

He should try to get on the Ultimate Fighter show.
Will they let someone who fought on a PPV on? I think Bobby Southward did but that was the first episode.

Plenty of guys go on the show after having already fought in the UFC. Heck, Joe Lauzon had beat Jens Pulver in the UFC before TUF.