Brad Tavares, welcome to the top 15.
The Waiakea graduate peppered Thales Leites on Saturday to kick off UFC 216 in Las Vegas, earning a unanimous decision to score his third consecutive mixed martial arts victory.
“I did everything I wanted to do but put him away,” Tavares said.
Tavares (16-4 overall, 12-4 UFC) entered the octagon respectful of Leites’ ground game, but the 29-year-old relied on a steady left jab and a vicious right kick to stay out trouble. The three-round middleweight fight was scored 30-26, 30-26, 30-27.
“I wanted to make sure I went out and implemented my game plan,” Tavares said, “because I knew what his game plan would be.