Thiago Moisés: The Brazilian Submission Specialist in the UFC Lightweight Division
Thiago Moisés, born March 23, 1995 in Indaiatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist (MMA) who competes in the UFC's lightweight division. He is known for his impressive Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) skills and his ability to control and finish fights on the ground. With wins against some of the best fighters in the division, Moisés has established himself as a dangerous and technical fighter in one of the most competitive divisions in the UFC.
Early Life and Career
Thiago Moisés began training in martial arts at a young age and quickly developed into a talented Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter. He came from a family involved in martial arts, which reinforced his passion and dedication to the sport. Moisés won multiple grappling and jiu-jitsu titles before deciding to transition to MMA, where he was able to combine his ground game with striking to become a more well-rounded fighter.
Moisés made his professional MMA debut in 2012, initially fighting in regional promotions in Brazil. His talent and impressive performances on the Brazilian MMA scene soon attracted the attention of larger promotions. In 2016, he was given the opportunity to fight in the United States for Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), where he won the LFA lightweight title. This success eventually led to an invitation to compete on Dana White's Contender Series in 2018, where he earned a contract with the UFC.
UFC Career
Thiago Moisés made his UFC debut on November 10, 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez, where he fought talented fighter Beneil Dariush. Despite losing his debut via unanimous decision, Moisés showed his resilience and determination, proving that he belonged at the highest level of the sport.
After his debut, Moisés went on to record several impressive victories in the UFC. He earned submission wins over tough opponents such as Michael Johnson, whom he defeated in the second round with an Achilles lock, and Alexander Hernandez, whom he defeated convincingly via unanimous decision. His victory over Johnson, a seasoned veteran, established Moisés as a serious threat in the division, especially due to his dangerous ground game.
In 2021, Moisés got the chance to fight Islam Makhachev, one of the most respected fighters in the lightweight division and future UFC lightweight champion. Although Moisés lost the fight via submission in the fourth round, he was praised for his performance against a top contender. This fight showed Moisés' heart and technical ability, even against the division's elite.
Style and Technique
Thiago Moisés is best known for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu and his ability to take fights to the ground and control them. He has excellent takedowns and can be dangerous from any position on the ground. His ground game is refined and he is able to work quickly to submissions, making him particularly dangerous to fighters who are less experienced in grappling.
While his strength lies in grappling, Moisés has also improved his striking since entering the UFC. He has developed a solid stand-up game, with accurate punches and kicks, which he uses to create openings for takedowns or to pressure his opponents while standing.
Moisés is patient and technical in his approach, waiting for the right moment to launch his attacks and trying to neutralize his opponents by control and pressure on the ground.
Major Victories
One of the most notable moments in Moisés' career was his submission victory over Michael Johnson at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira. After a tough first round, Moisés made a strong comeback by quickly taking Johnson to the ground and forcing him to tap out with an Achilles lock. This victory was important for Moisés because it highlighted his ability to perform against experienced fighters.
His win over Alexander Hernandez also showed his versatility, as he was able to fight standing while maintaining control on the ground.
Future Ambitions
Thiago Moisés remains determined to break through to the top of the UFC lightweight division. With his impressive ground game and continued improvements in his striking, he has the tools to establish himself as a serious title challenger. His goal is to continue to develop and produce more dominant victories against the division’s top competitors. Moisés is young and has a long career ahead of him, and his technical ability and determination make him a fighter to watch in the future.
Conclusion
Thiago Moisés is a talented and technical fighter known for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu and his ability to dominate fights on the ground. His accomplishments in the UFC have established him as a dangerous challenger in the lightweight division, and his determination to constantly improve makes him an enduring force in the sport. As he continues to work his way up the ranks, Thiago Moisés will certainly continue to stand out as one of the most skilled grapplers in the UFC.