Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at recent Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series Contract Winner Thiago Moises as he makes his UFC debut against featherweight Beneil Dariush at UFC Fight Night 139 in Denver, Colorado.
Thiago Moises
Hometown: Idaiatuba, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Age: 23
Height: 5’9”
Reach: 70”
Weight Class: Lightweight
Camp: 011 MMA Team / American Top Team
Career Record: 11-2
Key Wins: Zach Freeman
Key Losses: Jason Knight, Robert Watley
Background
A veteran of both LFA and RFA, Thiago Moises has found a host of experience in MMA’s best regional promotions. Moises enters the UFC on the back of a first round finish in the Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series.
Strengths
Good footwork
Excellent hand speed
Varied striking attack
Able to throw kicks with little setup
Slick submission game
Weaknesses
Hittable on the feet
Doesn’t do well when forced to fight off his back foot
Tends to struggle with volume heavy strikers
Chin is questionable
Takedown defense needs work
Fighter Grade
Offensive Striking: B-
Striking Defense: D+
Knockout Power: C+
Athleticism / Speed: B
Footwork: B-
Chin: D+
Offensive Wrestling: D
Takedown Defense: D
Submissions: C+
Conditioning: C-
Intangibles: C+
Overall Grade: C+
Matchup with Beneil Dariush
In one of the most interesting bouts on the UFN 139 card, Thiago Moises makes his UFC debut against experienced veteran Beneil Dariush. This is an excellent fight between a good prospect in Moises and a fighter who has some great wins in Dariush. Moises is the better athlete and will look to keep this fight standing and overpower his opponent. On the flip side, Dariush is one of the most intelligent fighters in the sport and always has a strong game plan in his bouts. I’m curious to see how Dariush is able to handle Moises’ power and speed. Dariush has done well against slower fighters, but has struggled with higher energy, more powerful opponents. I think this is a close fight and it’s hard to determine which fighter will get his hand raised. If Moises wasn’t making his debut, I think he may be favored in this bout, but UFC jitters are too common in debuting fighters, so this is a fight to sit back and watch.
UFC Ceiling
Thiago Moises is an intriguing prospect. He has a varied striking game with a lot of tools to challenge opponents on his feet. He trains out of a good camp, so should be able to compete in the UFC right away. I’d like to see how he does against quality wrestlers before determining if he can be a potential top 15 fighter. On the feet, he certainly has the skills to compete.
Fight Film
Check out Thiago Moises in some of his most recent fights:
Thiago Moises vs. David Castillo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeIsDErZiBQ
Thiago Moises vs. Gleidson Cutis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVHoG6mF6wk
