Thiago Moises Releases Statement Following UFC on ESPN 26 Main Event Defeat

Thiago Moises is moving forward with a positive attitude following his loss to Islam Makhachev in the UFC on ESPN 26 headliner this past Saturday.

Moises succumbed to a rear-naked choke in the fourth round of his lightweight clash with Makhachev at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The 26-year-old American Top Team representative struggled to get any offense going against the suffocating style of his opponent, as he landed just 13 significant strikes and was controlled for 8:11 during the bout.

Despite what could be viewed as a discouraging effort, Moises is taking the defeat in stride.

“Thank you all SO much for the incredible support. I’m proof we could put on a show for you tonight,” Moises wrote. “Islam is an amazing fighter, and he was the best guy tonight. No excuses, we keep improving. I’m only 26 years old, I have a lot of time to be in my prime, but fighting is in my blood and I won’t stop.

“I’m still a winner because I have a great family, a great team, great fans and I’m able to do what I love. I’m the [proof] that if you work hard and follow your dreams, everything is possible.”

A former competitor on Dana White’s Contender Series, Moises saw a three-bout winning streak come to an end at the hands of Makhachev. He is now 4-3 during his Octagon tenure, with notable wins over the likes of Alexander Hernandez, Bobby Green and Michael Johnson to his credit.

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