UFC Welterweight Paulo Thiago Chokes Out Mike Swick At UFC 109 Photo: UFC.com

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From Tatame:

I improved my counter-attack a lot. I knew he was a very aggressive fighter and I waited for the right moment to attack. I had been preparing for a very tough opponent in the division, who was supposed to be Josh Koscheck, so not much had changed. A little did in terms of style, reach, but I trained the same way.  I always try to improve myself and improve training. I always try to learn more and find the right people for it. I have to improve in all areas not to leave holes in my game.  I knew the likelihood of finishing him was greater than knocking him out. He could have tied me up there so I went straight for the submission."

UFC welterweight Paulo Thiago talks about his training leading up to the fight with Mike Swick.  Thiago has quietly gone 3-1 against some very stiff competition, including 2-1 against the trio of welterweights from the American Kickboxing Academy.  The other win was against an undefeated(at the time) Jacob Volkmann.  Thiago has solidified himself as a top ten welterweight, but it's not like his fights can get any harder now as he's fought a murderer's row in his first four fights unlike most newcomers.  It'll be interesting to see who they match him up with next.  He was supposed to have a re-match with Josh Koscheck at UFC 109, but Koscheck had to pull out of the fight.  He's now taking on Paul Daley at UFC 113.  Who would you like to see Thiago face next, and how many more wins does he need for a title shot? 

SBN coverage of UFC 109: Relentless