UFC Fight Night 39's Thales Leites: Smith makes up shortcomings with heart

With back-to-back wins on his recent resume, onetime middleweight title challenger Thales Leites expected a name opponent for his next fight.

Instead, he got Trevor Smith, who is best known for a slugfest with Ed Herman that won “Fight of the Night.”

“I’ve fought for the UFC belt and I’m on a win streak,” Leites told MMAjunkie. “I fought (Tom) Watson and I beat him. I fought Herman and I beat him, too. I dominated them in every round. So I did think I would get a tougher opponent, with more name recognition. But that didn’t happen. They put me up against Trevor Smith.”

Although disappointed, Leites (22-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) said he still takes the matchup seriously. He meets Smith (11-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) on the UFC Fight Pass-streamed UFC Fight Night 39, which takes place Friday at du Arena in Abu Dhabi.

“I believe I’m the betting favorite,” Leites said. “I do take it one fight at a time. Just because Smith isn’t as high profile, it doesn’t mean he isn’t tough. Anyone in the UFC is tough and deserves to be there. He often makes up for some lack of technique with a lot of heart and hard work.”

That approach could wind up paying dividends for Leites, who was released by the UFC in 2009 after back-to-back losses, including a disastrous title shot against then-champ Anderson Silva. An exciting fight could make him look very good, especially if he earns a finish.

“But I don’t think they’re setting up Smith to lose,” he said. “Every matchup is unique and everyone is dangerous. I too wish to win by submission or knockout, regardless of who I’m facing. The truth is, a single emphatic finish carries a lot more weight than three or four decision wins. It’s very important to beat an opponent before the final buzzer, before the judges’ decision. I personally want this a lot more than the UFC does. I’m training hard to make that happen.”

Leites said he used to be the biggest guy at his gym, the famed Nova Uniao, which hosts UFC champs Jose Aldo and Renan Barao. But that’s changed with a new addition: former heavyweight champ Junior dos Santos.

“Our training sessions are excellent,” Leites said. “Now, amongst the bigger fighters, I’m on the lightest. But that’s great because I had to develop my speed with the small guys, and now I’m putting it to work with the big guys.

“We all help each other and exchange ideas. And lately I’ve been putting a greater emphasis on my standup, especially boxing and also muay Thai. It increases my confidence level. Jiu-jitsu will always be my bread and butter, but MMA always starts on the feet, and that’s why one must also be confident there. Takedowns are also highly important. If you can’t take your opponent down, you better have plans B and C.”

Leites is aware Smith might try to put him on the ground, so that could be why he’s shifted his focus to striking, where he might presumably have an advantage. Smith has shown a penchant for brawling in the cage, and anyone who’s able to resist the urge to stand toe to toe is in a position to win.

But as Leites notes, it won’t be an easy night of work.

“If you analyze his recent record, especially in the UFC, he has more losses than wins,” Leites said of Smith. “He lost to tough opponents such as Tim Kennedy, whom he managed to take down repeatedly. He had a Fight of the Night performance in a split-decision loss against Herman, whom I beat. Then he had a split-decision win against Brian Houston, in a good scrap.

“He’s dangerous everywhere. He may win or lose, but if he loses, he makes it hard on you. He doesn’t accept losing. That’s what makes him dangerous.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 39, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.