Thiago Tavares Is Hoping For Bigger Fights After TUF 23 Finale

Thiago Tavares spoke with MMAjunkie about his fight with Doo Ho Choi at TUF 23 Finale and more. Some highlights are below:

On wanting a bigger fight than Choi: “I don’t choose opponents, but I like big names. I was the one who asked for the Khabib (Nurmagumedov) fight, and got my ass kicked. Then I asked for Clay Guida – finished him. They can be dangerous. I don’t mind that. But I like famous names who will lead me places. I admit (Choi) is not someone I wanted to face. Not to underestimate him, but I’d like to fight someone like Cub Swanson, or maybe a top-five guy that could take me somewhere. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but it is what it is. I’ll do my job, try my best to hit him the face and maybe then ask for someone higher up.”

On Choi: “I don’t even know how to pronounce his name yet, but he’s very good. He only has two UFC fights, but the two were knockouts. He has a lot of knockout power, which concerns me. He also has good jiu-jitsu, but Brazilian jiu-jitsu is different. So let’s get him to the ground and do our homework to bring home another win…I’ll go in there to do what I have to do. If (Choi) makes a mistake, I’ll submit him. If I make a mistake, he might finish me. That’s how this sport is. You know me, I go in for the finish. Sometimes it goes wrong. Sometimes people will kick my ass.”

On his interactions with Nurmagumedov: “We’ve run into each other in Las Vegas a few times. (Nurmagumedov) invited me to train in Dagestan. My friends in Florianopolis (home town) were telling me, ‘Don’t go, he’s setting you up,’ and I was like, ‘Guys, he nearly killed me in the octagon. What else must he do to me? Maybe if I get there and he’s waiting for me with a machine gun!’”

On changing up his attitude: “I don’t like calling people out, it’s not my thing. But I think the UFC calls for that. Most people criticize the way Conor (McGregor) acts, but when he talks, everyone listens. Because he is going to call someone out, say some (expletive). I like doing my job and doing my best, but maybe that’s what’s missing. Maybe this disrespectfulness inside me. Maybe that’s what I need to do.”