Thiago Michel

Thiago Michel Pereira Silva, a.k.a. Thiago Michel (born May 15, 1984) is a Brazilian professional kickboxer and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter formally competed for Bellator Fighting Championships in their season six lightweight tournament.

Personal life

Thiago Michel stated in an interview that when he was a child, he had a life-threatening throat infection and his father who taught him kickboxing starting at the age of 12, couldn't donate blood to his own son because he drank too much. This lead him never to drink again, strengthening their bond as father and son. Michel soon became a world kickboxing champion where he compiled 26 wins and just 2 defeats.

Kickboxing career

Michel was selected to represent Brazil in the 73 kg/160 lb division at the first It's Showtime event held in the country.^[1] He went up against Steve Poort, an up-and-coming Dutch fighter, at It's Showtime 60 in São Paulo, Brazil^[2] and won by unanimous decision.^[3]

He competed in the eight man 70 kg/154 lb tournament at Tatneft Cup Brazil in São Paulo on December 8, 2012, losing to Carlos Roberto by unanimous decision in the quarter-finals.^[4][5]

He faced Miodrag Olar at SUPERKOMBAT New Heroes 2 on March 23, 2013 in a 76 kg/165 lb bout and won on points after dominating in a display of brute strength and size.^[6][7]

He defeated Paul Marfort by unanimous decision on the Glory 12: New York - Lightweight World Championship Tournament undercard in New York City, New York, US on November 23, 2013. ^[8][9][10]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Thiago Michel, who trains with world champion kickboxer Ely Perez, was the 2010 WAKO World Cup kickboxing champion at 165 lbs (75 kg) while also having a 7-1 record in MMA competition.^[11] He's also held Muay Thai titles and has posted knockouts in all nine of his career MMA wins.^[12]

Michel made his professional MMA debut on November 18, 2006 and has made a name for himself fighting mainly in his home country of Brazil. Michel won 6 of his first 7 fights before a 28-month break from the sport from 2008 to 2010. Before signing with Bellator, he amassed an impressive record of 9 wins and 2 losses. He was also ranked the number 1 lightweight prospect on Bloody Elbow's 2010 scouting report.^[11]

Bellator Fighting Championships

Thiago Michel is currently signed to Bellator Fighting Championships, competing in their lightweight division. Michel made his American debut at Bellator 62 on March 23, 2012, where he defeated fellow Brazilian Rene Nazare by split decision.

Michel faced Russian prospect Alexander Sarnavskiy in the opening round of the Bellator Lightweight Tournament on January 31, 2013 at Bellator 87.^[13] He lost via submission in the second round.

Kickboxing titles

• 2014 WGP Kickboxing Champion -78 kg (1 Title Def.)^[14]
• WAKO Pro Pan American K-1 Rules Middleweight Championship -75.0 kg

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record
33 wins, 5 losses, 0 draws Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 2016-05-08 Loss Diego Gaúcho WGP #30 Brazil TKO 1 33-5 2015-10-31 Win Fernando Nonato WGP #27, Final Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Decision 3:00 33-4 Defends WGP Kickboxing Championship -78 kg. 2014-11-21 Loss Datsi Datsiev Battle of Champions 7 Moscow, Russia Decision (unanimous) 5 3:00 32-4 For WAKO-Pro K1 Rules Super Middleweight World Championship -78.1 kg.[15][16] 2014-07-26 Win Inaftali Gomes WGP #21, Final São Paulo, Brazil Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 32-3 Wins WGP Kickboxing Championship -78 kg. 2014-07-26 Win Diego Sebastião WGP #21, Semi Finals São Paulo, Brazil Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 31-3 2014-04-26 Win Ricardo Fernandes WGP SUPER 4 [17] São Paulo, Brazil Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 30-3 2013-11-23 Win Paul Marfort Glory 12: New York New York City, New York, USA Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 29-3 2013-03-23 Win Miodrag Olar SUPERKOMBAT New Heroes 2 São Caetano, Brazil Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 28-3 2012-12-08 Loss Carlos Roberto Tatneft Cup Brazil, Quarter Finals São Paulo, Brazil Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 27-3 2012-11-10 Win Steve Poort It's Showtime 60 São Paulo, Brazil Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 27-2

Amateur Kickboxing Record
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time 2013-10-03 Loss Stevan Živković W.A.K.O World Championships 2013, Low-Kick Quarter Finals -81 kg Guaruja, Brasil Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00 2013-10-01 Win Goksel Kotan W.A.K.O World Championships 2013, Low-Kick 1st Round -81 kg Guaruja, Brasil Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Mixed martial arts record

External links

• Professional MMA record for Thiago Michel from Sherdog
  

References