1. Paulo Thiago is from Brasilia, Distrito Federal, and began training in judo when he was five years old.
39 Facts About Paulo Thiago
1. 2.
Paulo Thiago made his professional debut at Storm Samurai 8 in 2005.
3.
Paulo Thiago fought Ricardo Petrucio and won the fight via submission in round three.
4.
Paulo Thiago competed in the Grand Prix Planaltina, winning all three of his fights and became the tournament winner.
5.
Paulo Thiago won four fights for the promotion before being signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championships.
6.
Paulo Thiago never signed a contract before his fight against Koscheck, he was only able to acquire a tryout.
7.
Paulo Thiago made his UFC debut on February 21,2009, scoring an upset victory over top contender Josh Koscheck at UFC 95.
8.
However, Paulo Thiago won the fight by KO, with a flush right uppercut and a left hook.
9.
The referee stopped the fight before Paulo Thiago could pounce on him.
10.
At the post-fight conference, Dana White confirmed that Paulo Thiago had earned Knockout of the Night honors.
11.
Paulo Thiago had his second fight in the UFC, fighting against former title challenger and Koscheck teammate Jon Fitch at UFC 100.
12.
Paulo Thiago rebounded with a unanimous decision victory over UFC newcomer Jacob Volkmann at UFC 106.
13.
Paulo Thiago won via submission in the second round and earned his second UFC fight bonus with the win.
14.
Paulo Thiago faced Martin Kampmann on June 12,2010, at UFC 115 where he lost via unanimous decision.
15.
Paulo Thiago lost his second straight fight via unanimous decision to Diego Sanchez on October 23,2010, at UFC 121.
16.
In November 2010, Paulo Thiago signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC.
17.
Paulo Thiago was expected to face Johny Hendricks on March 3,2011, at UFC Live: Sanchez vs Kampmann.
18.
However, Paulo Thiago was forced out of the bout with an elbow injury.
19.
Paulo Thiago defeated David Mitchell via unanimous decision on August 27,2011, at UFC 134, completely dominating Mitchell throughout all three rounds.
20.
Paulo Thiago was expected to face Mike Pyle on January 14,2012, at UFC 142.
21.
However, Paulo Thiago was forced out of the bout with an elbow injury and replaced by Ricardo Funch.
22.
Paulo Thiago faced Siyar Bahadurzada on April 14,2012, at UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs Silva.
23.
Paulo Thiago was knocked out less than a minute into the first round after Siyar landed a right hook to the jaw that followed a left jab as Thiago was moving forward.
24.
Paulo Thiago next faced Dong Hyun Kim on November 10,2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 6.
25.
Paulo Thiago was expected to face Lance Benoist on May 18,2013, at UFC on FX 8.
26.
Paulo Thiago was expected to face Kelvin Gastelum on August 28,2013, at UFC Fight Night 27.
27.
However, Paulo Thiago pulled out of the bout citing a knee injury.
28.
Paulo Thiago faced Brandon Thatch at UFC Fight Night 32 on November 9,2013.
29.
Paulo Thiago tapped to strikes in the first round after absorbing a knee to the liver.
30.
Paulo Thiago faced Gasan Umalatov on May 31,2014, at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale.
31.
Paulo Thiago was expected to face Mike Rhodes at UFC Fight Night 51 on September 13,2014.
32.
Paulo Thiago lost the fight via unanimous decision and was released by the UFC.
33.
However, Paulo Thiago withdrew from the bout due to an injury.
34.
Paulo Thiago faced Markus Perez for the vacant Thunder Fight Middleweight Championship at Thunder Fight 7 on June 25,2016.
35.
Paulo Thiago then faced Paulistenio Rocha for the interim TWC Welterweight Championship at The Warriors Combat 3 on August 13,2016.
36.
Paulo Thiago won the fight via unanimous decision and claimed the championship.
37.
Paulo Thiago then faced Cheick Kone at Fight2Night 1 on November 4,2016.
38.
Paulo Thiago faced Ailton Barbosa at Global Legion FC 13 on December 13,2019.
39.
Six days removed from his previous bout, Paulo Thiago faced Sam Liera at SMASH Global 9 on December 19,2019.