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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
In one of the more improbable returns to the UFC, former Middleweight Title challenger Thales Leites has re-signed with the organization, according to a report from Brazilian outlet SporTV.
The 31-year-old fought eight times in the organization from 2006-2009, earning a shot against Anderson Silva after a five fight winning streak. However, he had an embarrassing fight with Silva, complete with him flopping to his back numerous times throughout their five-round bout. When he followed that up with a loss to Alessio Sakara in another bad fight on the prelims, he was cut.
Since that 2009 release, Leites has gone 6-1, losing to Matt Horwich in 2010 before avenging that loss in his last outing in 2012. Though his return date isn't set, the Nova Uniao fighter hopes to compete on the UFC 163 card in Rio de Janeiro this August, headlined by his teammate Jose Aldo.
Penick's Analysis: I can't say I ever thought we'd see Leites in the UFC again. That fight with Silva at UFC 97 is one that is best forgotten, alongside Silva's embarrassing bout with Demian Maia the next year at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. That Leites followed that up with a terrible performance against Sakara didn't help, and when he then lost to Horwich in 2010 a return to the UFC was the furthest from anyone's mind. However, three straight wins since then, including one over the most recent TUF season's Tor Troeng as well as an even-up win over Horwich, is apparently just what he needed to be brought back. We'll see how long he lasts this time around, but I doubt this run contains a fight for the UFC Middleweight Title.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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