Thales Leites Signs with Canada's MFC

Thales Leites, the most recent UFC middleweight title challenger, has found a new home in the Maximum Fighting Championship in Canada.

MFC promoter Mark Pavelich announced on recent radio appearances on TapouT Radio and The Scores' Hardcore Sports Radio that Leites (14-3) has signed a deal with the promotion and will debut at MFC 23 on Dec. 4.

Leites, who had been on thin ice after a universally bashed performance against Anderson Silva at UFC 97, was put on UFC waivers in August following a close loss to Alessio Sakara at UFC 101.

"He lost a split decision that many people thought he won, and the UFC cut him. I think he's mad now," said Pavelich, who says he's been signing fighters who have felt wronged by the UFC.

Prior to the back-to-back UFC losses, the 28-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt won five straight in the Octagon from April 2007 to October 2008.

Leites joins MFC's roster of middleweights that includes fellow UFC veterans Jason MacDonald, Travis Lutter, Dean Lister and Trevor Prangley.