Thiago Moises’ Next-Level Thinking

While it may seem like Thiago Moises has been around forever, in reality, the well-traveled Brazilian has not yet turned 30. To that end, he still has the time, wherewithal and desire to make waves in the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight division.

The former Resurrection Fighting Alliance champion will seek his fourth win in five appearances when he confronts Ludovit Klein in the featured UFC on ESPN 57 prelim this Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Moises holds a respectable 7-5 record inside the Octagon, his stay with the organization highlighted by victories over Michael Johnson, Bobby Green and Alexander Hernandez. He last suited up at UFC Fight Night 239, where he rebounded from a technical knockout loss to Benoit St. Denis and put away Mitch Ramirez with leg kicks in the third round of their March 16 encounter.

“I’ve fought against the best in the weight class,” Moises told Sherdog.com. “I’ve had highs and lows in the organization, but I’m always improving and evolving. I’m in my best condition right now. If I could revisit the same fights I lost, the results would be very different. I’ll show this in my next bout. I’m on another level. I’m ready to get back into the Top 15 and keep on climbing to the top of our division.”

Klein serves as a compelling next test. The 29-year-old Slovakian steps into view unbeaten across his past five outings, with four wins and a no contest. Klein last competed on March 2, when he cut down A.J. Cunningham with a front kick to the body and follow-up punches in the first round of their UFC Fight Night 238 pairing.

“Ludovit is very experienced,” Moises said. “He’s fought in great European promotions before coming to the UFC. He’s in a very good phase inside the UFC. His strong suit is striking, but I see myself as superior in every facet. I’m a better striker and better on the ground. I believe he is lacking in grappling, so I’ll be exploiting that. I’ll use my striking to get the fight to the mat, so I can win by submission.”

Moises, who represents American Top Team, spent his training camp with The Fighting Nerds Combat Club in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He plans to have Pablo Sucupira in his corner, along with ATT mainstays Marcos da Matta and Natan Schulte. Moises views it as a prime opportunity to make some headway at 155 pounds.

“My plan is to defeat Ludovit in a dominant way,” he said. “I’ll show I’m a level above my opponents. I’m one of the best in the world. I’ll win in great fashion, enter the Top 15, beat everyone in there and become the champion. I’ll show my true potential.”

Moises continues to look up at reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, along with the rest of the division. The two men faced one another in July 2021, as Makhachev submitted the Brazilian with a fourth-round rear-naked choke in the UFC on ESPN 26 main event. Though their paths could someday cross again, Moises remains focused on Klein and relishes the chance to keep an active schedule.

“I’m very happy that the UFC is giving me the opportunity to fight again in less than three months,” he said. “I want to show that I’m on another level.”