Leites: I am very angry, at myself
Thales Leites: “To be honest, I was very angry at myself. I made too many mistakes. Bisping fought very well … he used his space in the Octagon very well.”
There is a stereotype held by many member of the hardcore MMA fanbase that Brazlian fighters fighters are prone to excuse making following a loss. It may have started when an early Vitor Belfort curiously had the flu before each loss.
Thales Leites lost a split decision to Michael Bisping at UFC Fight Night 72, in the UK. Making the loss even more difficult, Leites has been on a five-fight win streak in the UFC, and an eight-fight win streak overall, with his non UFC fights against top competitors. However, in an interview with Brazil’s Combate, the Brazilian was a role model of dignity and grace.
“To be honest, I was very angry at myself,” said Leites as translated by Lucas Rezende for BE. “I made too many mistakes. Bisping fought very well, he’s used to fight five rounds and it was only my second time. He used his space in the Octagon very well.”
“My gameplan was to strike with him. I even tried to take him down sometimes, but he defended. When I did get him to the ground, I couldn’t keep him there. MMA is not easy. It’s hard to take a guy down and keep him there. It happens. Now it’s time to go back home and learn from my mistakes.”
Losing is an inescapable part of combat sports. Half the fighters lose every fight; it’s math.
How you lose is important, and Leites just gave a lesson in.
