Thiago Michel

Thiago Michel Pereira Silva, a.k.a. Thiago Michel (born May 15, 1984) is a Brazilian professional kickboxer and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter formally competed for Bellator Fighting Championships in their season six lightweight tournament.

Personal life Thiago Michel stated in an interview that when he was a child, he had a life-threatening throat infection and his father who taught him kickboxing starting at the age of 12, couldn't donate blood to his own son because he drank too much. This lead him never to drink again, strengthening their bond as father and son. Michel soon became a world kickboxing champion where he compiled 26 wins and just 2 defeats.

Kickboxing career Michel was selected to represent Brazil in the 73 kg/160 lb division at the first It's Showtime event held in the country. He went up against Steve Poort, an up-and-coming Dutch fighter, at It's Showtime 60 in São Paulo, Brazil and won by unanimous decision.

He competed in the eight man 70 kg/154 lb tournament at Tatneft Cup Brazil in São Paulo on December 8, 2012, losing to Carlos Roberto by unanimous decision in the quarter-finals.

He faced Miodrag Olar at SUPERKOMBAT New Heroes 2 on March 23, 2013, in a 76 kg/165 lb bout and won on points after dominating in a display of brute strength and size.

He defeated Paul Marfort by unanimous decision on the Glory 12: New York - Lightweight World Championship Tournament undercard in New York City, New York, US on November 23, 2013.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Thiago Michel, who trains with world champion kickboxer Ely Perez, was the 2010 WAKO World Cup kickboxing champion at 165 lbs (75 kg) while also having a 7–1 record in MMA competition. He's also held Muay Thai titles and has posted knockouts in all nine of his career MMA wins.

Michel made his professional MMA debut on November 18, 2006, and has made a name for himself fighting mainly in his home country of Brazil. Michel won 6 of his first 7 fights before a 28-month break from the sport from 2008 to 2010. Before signing with Bellator, he amassed an impressive record of 9 wins and 2 losses. He was also ranked the number 1 lightweight prospect on Bloody Elbow's 2010 scouting report. He lost via submission in the second round.

Kickboxing titles 2014 WGP Kickboxing Champion -78 kg (1 Title Def.) WAKO Pro Pan American K-1 Rules Middleweight Championship -75.0 kg

Kickboxing record

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Alexander Sarnavskiy Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 87

Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States Bellator Season 8 Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal Win

David Gardner TKO (Knee to the Body and Punches) Brasil Fight 6 - Brazil vs. USA

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil Loss

Brent Weedman Decision (split) Bellator 66

Cleveland, Ohio, United States Bellator Season 6 Lightweight Tournament Semifinal Win

Rene Nazare Decision (split) Bellator 62

Laredo, Texas, United States Bellator Season 6 Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal Win

Rodrigo Cavalheiro TKO (punches) Brazil Fight 5 - Back to Fight

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil Win

Erick Barbosa TKO (Punches) Brazil Fight 4 - The VIP Night

Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil Loss

Alessandro Ferreira Submission (rear-naked choke) Brazil Fight 3 - Minas Gerais vs. São Paulo

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil Win

Felipe Olivieri TKO (doctor stoppage) Brazil Fight 2 - Minas Gerais vs. Rio de Janeiro

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil Win

Flavio Toto TKO (punches) BHI - Belo Horizonte Interacademy

Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil Win

Murilo Filho TKO (punches) XFG - X Fight Games 3

Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil Loss

Ivan Iberico Submission (armbar) Juiz de Fora - Fight 5

Brazil Win

Damaso Pereira KO (soccer kick) FBC - Fight Brazil Combat

Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil Win

Luciano Pitbull TKO (head kick) FFMA - Festival Fighter Martial Arts

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil Win

Rildo Benazar TKO (punches) MAUO - Martial Arts Union Open 4

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil Win

Cesar Augusto Cunha Dias TKO (punches) X - Mix Martial Arts

Divinopolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil