Thiago Tavares entered the UFC as an undefeated fighter having won all 10 fights. His UFC debut win over Naoyuki Kotani and then Jason Black kept his perfect record at 12-0 before suffering his first loss against Tyson Griffin at UFC 76. He bounced back at UFC Fight Night 12 to defeat Michihiro Omigawa to only then suffer his second loss in his career to Matt Wiman. For a chance to redeem himself he is set to face the always tough Kurt Pellegrino this weekend at UFC 88. MMA Sports caught up with Thiago Tavares to get his thoughts on his upcoming fight and previous loss.

MMASPORTS: Do you already have a strategy planned to defeat Kurt Pellegrino?
THIAGO: I do consider our game alike. But it becomes different when the subject is Wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu. My ground game I consider stronger than his, but I have to admit his wrestling is superior. In my opinion, I have better chances to win on the ground and that’s the way I plan to defeat him. This fight will be decided on the ground.

MMASPORTS: You’ve come from a KO loss to Matt Wiman, at UFC 85, are you worried about exchanging punches with Pellegrino?
THIAGO: Well, I don’t see myself worried about exchanging punches, because I am a professional fighter and that loss is just a loss and I need to get over it and show my game. I think Pellegrino and I have similar skills when the subject is exchanging punches. I will do my best at this time. I am betting on my physical conditioning, training a lot of Muay Thai and Boxing. My Jiu-Jitsu is excellent and also I have been training a lot of Grappling. Let’s see what happens…

MMASPORTS: Talking about Wiman...tell us your thoughts about the fight.
THIAGO: I’ve always respected him a lot, but I committed a mistake that was fatal during the fight. I underestimated him for a moment. I thought the fight was under control… I was better than him and relaxed. Inside the octagon you cannot relax! Ever! And I learned that in the hardest way...being punched on the chin and suffering this terrible loss.

MMASPORTS: This fight of course slowed down your path to the title shot… what do you think bout that?
THIAGO: Well, I believe in the case if I had won the fight with Matt Wiman, my situation would be much better now talking about a title shot. I think I might have two or three fights until having a chance to face the champion. The following fight was also already planned, but once I got defeated everything has changed.

MMASPORTS: So, what’s your opinion? How many fights separate you from the title now?
THIAGO: I do not think about the belt right now. One step at a time. Now I am focused to win my next fight. I will do my best to defeat him and then I will keep training harder and harder to the next challenges. I think the lightweight title for me is just a matter of time. And I am living each day and so far I am very happy because I extended my contract with the UFC for another four fights.

MMASPORTS: You hold a great record of 13-2-0. What loss was harder for you to face? Against Matt Wiman or Tyson Griffin at UFC 76?
THIAGO: Well, losing is always a tough thing to deal. Especially for me who until my 12th fight had never loss professionally. So, I don’t think one loss was worst then the other…they happened! I learned a lot from each one…however I’ve never been knocked-out before and this impresses people.

MMASPORTS: You represent Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro’s team... how is training there?
THIAGO: Besides representing Minotauro Team, I have been training in my born place, Florianópolis, in my own gym. My sparring crew is also here to give me a hand such as Thiago Jambo and Fábio Maldonado, so I do consider I am having great training for this next challenge.