The Brazilian fighter competed under the UFC banner since 2007, and the promotion has decided not to re-sign his contract after his first-round loss to Doo Ho Choi last July, MMA Fighting has learned.
Tavares (20-7-1), who racked up a 10-7-1 record in almost 10 years as a UFC fighter, competing against the likes of Clay Guida, Manny Gamburyan, Brian Ortega and Khabib Nurmagomedov, has signed a multi-fight deal with Brazilian promotion Aspera FC.
Tavares will get back in action on Feb. 18 in a featherweight contest against Mauricio Machado (17-10).