World MMA Lightweight Scouting Report: #1 - Thiago Michel
Kickboxing has historically produced mediocre results when one
of its elite athletes has crossed over to mixed martial arts.
Mirko "CroCop" Filipovic is probably the best example of a K-1
level striker having success, but we tend to see kickboxers lack
the takedown defense and the grappling know-how to compete at a
high level in mixed martial arts. As time has progressed, that
knowledge gap continues to get slimmer and slimmer, and in the
modern era -- it isn't unheard of to see world class kickboxers
also training in the arts of grappling as well.  In fact, our #1
ranked lightweight prospect, Thiago Michel Pereira Silva aka.
Thiago Michel, fits that mold perfectly as he was the 2010 WAKO
World Cup champion at 75 kg while also sporting a 7-1 record in
MMA competition. While he did take a leave of absence from the
cage for over two years, he returned in August to battle Nova
Uniao prospect Felipe Olivieri in front of a capacity crowd,
defeating him ove