Thiago Tavares drops to featherweight vs. Robbie Peralta at UFC Fight Night 47
The UFC’s featherweight division gets another new contender this August.
Thiago Tavares (18-5-1 MMA, 7-6-1 UFC) will drop from lightweight to 145 pounds and will meet Robbie Peralta (18-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 47. UFC officials recently announced the new fight booking.
UFC Fight Night 47 takes place Aug. 16 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. The bulk of the card is expected to air on FOX Sports 1 following a few prelims on UFC Fight Pass. Tickets for the event currently are on sale.
Tavares has fought four straight times in his native Brazil at lightweight, going 3-1 in those bouts. The lone loss was a knockout at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomedov – but after that fight in January 2013, Tavares tested positive for a banned steroid and was suspended for nine months. He returned this past November and choked out Justin Salas in the first round, though.
Peralta will be looking to extend his winning streak to three fights. Three weeks ago, he upset home-country favorite Rony Jason at the TUF Brazil 3 Finale in Sao Paulo, taking a split decision. That piggy-backed on his knockout win over Estevan Payan this past December. Like Tavares, Peralta also has a recent suspension for a failed drug test on his resume. He tested positive for marijuana after his loss to Akira Corassani in April 2013 and was suspended for six months. That setback was his only one since July 2009.
WIth the addition, the latest UFC Fight Night 47 card includes:
Ryan Bader vs. Ovince Saint Preux
Tim Boetsch vs. Brad Tavares
Shawn Jordan vs. Jack May
Sam Alvey vs. Tom Watson
Robbie Peralta vs. Thiago Tavares
