Thiago Moises knows what it’s like to be within arm’s reach of UFC glory, and he’s raring for a chance to ascend the heights once more.
In 2021, Moises, a seasoned combatant from Brazil’s Contender Series, faced off against Islam Makhachev in what was a UFC main event debut for both fighters. The bout concluded in the fourth round with Makhachev locking in a rear-naked choke submission that ended Moises’ run.
Although Moises couldn’t claim victory on that particular evening, he still walked away with a wealth of knowledge and a renewed belief in his ability to stand toe-to-toe with anyone in the UFC lightweight division—future champs included.
“In that fight, I learned a lot about my own capabilities,” Moises shared with MMA Hook. “I realized that I can not only hold my own against the best, but also that defeating anyone is within the realm of possibility.”
He added, “Nobody is invincible. I noticed vulnerabilities in Makhachev’s performance against [Alexander] Volkanovski. Heck, I even managed to take him down. So, the idea that everyone has their Achilles’ heel isn’t far-fetched.”
Currently on a hot streak with two consecutive victories, Moises is aiming for a third win as he prepares to battle Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris this Saturday. Though Moises yearns for another go at Makhachev, he’s skeptical that Makhachev will be holding onto the title after his upcoming rematch with Charles Oliveira at UFC 294.
When Oliveira and Makhachev first clashed, it was basically a one-man show, with Makhachev overwhelming Oliveira and finishing him in the second round. However, Moises is predicting a different story for the Oct. 21 rematch.
“If you look at that first fight, Charles was far from his best, and Makhachev appeared to be at the top of his game,” said Moises. “But if Charles has done his homework and comes in mentally prepared, he could turn the tables, especially if he brings the same intensity he had against [Beneil] Dariush.”
Moises made it clear he’s all in on Team Oliveira for this fight. “I’m totally rooting for Charles,” he said. “The guy has paid his dues. From humble beginnings to holding a title, his journey is the stuff of legends. It motivates me and makes me a fan, and I’m crossing my fingers for his win.”
On a personal front, Moises is ready for the electric atmosphere awaiting him in Paris when he takes on local hero Saint-Denis. After soaking in the home crowd during his own January bout in Brazil, Moises is eager to once again perform in front of a lively audience.
“The Parisian crowd is going to be amped, no doubt about it,” Moises said. “After so many fights in the UFC APEX without spectators, I’m itching to get back to an arena filled with roaring fans.”
Moises is confident that defeating Saint-Denis will be his ticket back into the lightweight rankings—a position he lost following setbacks against Makhachev and Joel Alvarez.
“I’ve always said, the next fight is the most pivotal one in your career,” Moises concluded. “Beating Saint-Denis will likely put me back among the top 15 lightweights. From there, it’s just a matter of climbing the ladder until I secure my shot at the title and a rematch with Makhachev. Saint-Denis is no slouch, but he has gaps in his game that I fully intend to exploit.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Thiago Moises
Who does Thiago Moises think will win the UFC 294 rematch between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev?
Thiago Moises is firmly in Charles Oliveira’s corner for the UFC 294 rematch against Islam Makhachev. Moises believes that if Oliveira comes in mentally prepared and has learned from his past mistakes, he has a strong chance of turning the tables.
What is Thiago Moises’ current win streak?
As of the article, Thiago Moises is on a two-fight win streak and is aiming for a third consecutive victory in his upcoming fight against Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris.
What did Thiago Moises learn from his previous bout with Islam Makhachev?
From his bout against Makhachev, Moises gained invaluable experience and the confidence that he can compete against any fighter in the UFC lightweight division, even future champions. He also concluded that no fighter is invincible, citing vulnerabilities in Makhachev’s game.
What is Thiago Moises’ next fight?
Thiago Moises is set to fight Benoit Saint-Denis in the upcoming UFC Paris event. He anticipates a raucous crowd and is eager to perform in front of a live audience after a series of fights in the UFC APEX arena.
Why is Thiago Moises excited to fight in Paris?
Moises is excited to fight in Paris due to the expected electric atmosphere from the audience. After having fought in the fan-less UFC APEX for a while, he’s looking forward to the energy a live crowd brings, especially against a hometown hero like Benoit Saint-Denis.
What does Thiago Moises anticipate will happen if he defeats Benoit Saint-Denis?
Moises believes that a win over Saint-Denis will likely catapult him back into the top 15 of the UFC lightweight rankings. This would put him on a path to potentially secure a title shot and a rematch with Islam Makhachev.
Does Thiago Moises think he will get a rematch with Islam Makhachev?
Though Moises would love to have a rematch with Makhachev, for now, he is focusing on his next fight. However, he did mention that ideally, a rematch would happen with a UFC title on the line, making the taste of revenge even sweeter.
More about Thiago Moises
- Thiago Moises’ Fighter Profile
- UFC 294 Fight Card Details
- Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev: The First Showdown
- Benoit Saint-Denis: A Rising Star
- UFC Paris: Event Information
- MMA Hook’s Exclusive Interview with Thiago Moises
- UFC Lightweight Rankings
- Islam Makhachev’s Fighter Profile
- Charles Oliveira’s Journey to the Title
9 comments
Thiago excited about a live crowd? Who wouldn’t be, apex fights just ain’t the same. Paris is gonna be lit!
Moises thinks he can get back into top 15? Hope he’s not lookin past Saint-Denis. that could be a huge mistake.
Thiago Moises backin Oliveira? Interesting. But what happened when he fought Makhachev lol. Looking forward to UFC 294!
Man, Thiago’s got some serious respect for Oliveira, huh? think he’s right bout the rematch tho, Oliveira’s got some tricks up his sleeve for sure.
Good read! Moises has a point, every fight is the most important. One loss can set you back big time in this game.
Moises and Makhachev rematch would be epic. Hope it happens and with a title on the line, as Moises said, would make it sweeter.
i like how Moises isn’t just focusin on himself, also talks about other fighters and their chances. Humble dude.
Moises aint wrong. Everyone’s beatable, even the guys who seem invincible. That’s what makes this sport so darn exciting!
Cant wait to see how Moises performs in Paris, especially with that crowd energy. Also, respect for openly supportin Oliveira. Takes guts.