UFC Sao Paulo: Thales Leites goes out with a victory

While Thales Leites made one last trip into the Octagon before retiring, Hector Lombard looked to avoid having his time in the UFC come to an end as well.

Much like Evan Dunham, who stepped into the cage later in the evening, Thales Leites announced well in advance that Saturday’s bout against Hector Lombard would be the final fight of his career.

Initially released from the organization just one fight after challenging Anderson Silva for the middleweight title, Leites went 6-1 on the regional circuit to earn a second chance to compete in the UFC and when he returned, the Nova Uniao product was a much different fighter.

Leites began his second tour of duty with five consecutive victories, showcasing greater aggression and improved stand-up skills upon his return. While the results weren’t always there over his next seven appearances, the 36-year-old Brazilian proved to be a perennial tough out while pushing the likes of Michael Bisping and Gegard Mousasi to the limit.

Now, after nearly 15 years and 37 professional fights, the affable Leites is calling it a career.

Opposing him in his final foray into the Octagon was Lombard, the former Bellator middleweight champion who has been a flop since signing with the UFC six-plus years ago.

Matriculating to the biggest stage in the sport on a 25-fight unbeaten streak with 20 consecutive victories, the former Cuban Olympian has managed just three wins in 11 appearances under the UFC banner. More startling is the fact that Lombard entered Saturday’s fight card on a five-fight losing streak and without a victory since defeating Jake Shields at UFC 171.

That fight took place on March 15, 2014.

As a point of reference, Pharrell’s “Happy” as in the second week of its eventual 10-week run atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart at the time.

Yikes.

Here’s what transpired when the retiring Leites and struggling Lombard shared the cage on Saturday night.

Jerin Valel was assigned to chaperone the veterans.

Round 1

No touch for these two. Lombard southpaw to start as always.

Leites misses high with a kick. Sends one to the body and Lombard blocks it. Now high again; blocked. Low kick for Lombard, who is rotating with Leites as he moves around the cage, maintaining the center. Low inside from Lombard lands hard and he goes back to it. Leites misses high and Lombard tries to rush in as he spins through, but nothing there.

Two down, three to go. Right hand from Leites as a counter to a low kick from Lombard; nicely done. Inside again for Lombard, one to the body for Leites. Lombard reaches on an overhand right, but nothing doing. Leites leads with a hook, but it gets parried away. High kick offered by Leites and Lombard counters with another good kick inside to the knee. Once more and Leites is starting to stiffen up. One minute. Once more inside to the knee for Lombard. Again. Again. Swing and a miss on the next one, but he’s found something that works.

Once more for good measure just before the end of the round. That leg is hamburger meat.

FanSided scored the round 10-9 Lombard

Round 2

Right hand early from Leites and a body kick to follow. Lombard looking for that inside leg kick again. Scores with another one and looks outside for one, just for good measure. Another inside, but Leites uses it to trip him to the canvas. Lombard up and they’re clinched, but Lombard quickly breaks free. Leites avoids the low kick and lands a right. Body kick from Leites; big swing with the right from Lombard.

Right hand lands flush for Leites and stiffens Lombard up momentarily. The retiree is starting to gain confidence and press forward. Halfway home, Lombard misses with a right hand. Inside low kick lands again. They trade shots in the pocket with neither landing anything serious. Clinched up, Leites pulls guard and looks for a modified armbar. Lombard escapes and they’re back up. Knee inside for Leites lands. Again from the Thai clinch.

One minute. High kick lands for Leites. Right hand to the body. Lombard cut over the left eye and swollen around the right, but he lands an outside kick. Good right hand inside from Leites, followed  by a body kick and now Lombard’s bleeding like crazy from the cut over his eye. HORN!

FanSided scored the round 10-9 Leites and has the fight even at 19-19 after two rounds

Round 3

Doctor checks the cut, but we’re fine.

Leites comes forward right away and the blood instantly starts flowing from the cut. Inside kick from Lombard, but Leites ties up with him. Lombard working the body, Leites controlling with an overhook. Knees to the body from the Thai clinch from Leites. Kick to the body behind them. Good right for Lombard, countered by Leites. Another right connects for Lombard. Jab stops Lombard in this tracks and right down the pipe wobbles him a little.

Another right hand scores for Leites as Lombard is now static in the center, clearly tired, trying to shake out his arms. Low inside kicks fro Leites landing. Right hand follows. Inside again. Left hook for Leites. Jab right to the cut scores with a left hook behind it. Leites checks the clock and lands a kick to the body. Leites thoroughly outworking Lombard here.

Clinched up in the center, Lombard with the body lock, walks Leites back to the fence. One minute left. Leites looks at the choke briefly, but nothing there. Lombard just content to stall here. Knee to the body on each side. Twenty seconds. They separate and Leites finishes with Lombard on all fours in the center.

Leites should go out wit a victory.

FanSided scored the round 10-9 Leites and the fight 29-28 for Thales Leites.

• UFC Sao Paulo
• MIDDLEWEIGHT
• MATCH RESULT

Leites VS. Lombard

FIGHT RESULTS

UD

5:00

Official Result: Thales Leites def. Hector Lombard by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)