What’s with the arrogance of UFC fighters all of the sudden? Two controversial fights at the last event and two fighters who completely dismiss talk of a rematch like they’re Floyd Mayweather Jr or someone. First, we had Fabricio Werdum completely dismissing Brandon Vera after what appeared to be a premature stoppage by the ref. Werdum’s comments were that Vera should ‘get to the back of the line’ because he’s looking for a title shot and the opportunity to get submitted by Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. One arguably premature ref stoppage in a fight that up to that point was extremely close and Werdum’s acting like Fedor Emelianenko with one difference–Fedor would probably take the fight to prove his superiority.

Now we’ve got Thales Leites, who won a narrow split decision due to two penalty points assessed to his opponent, Nate Marquardt. One was legit–an illegal knee strike to a downed opponent–while the other was a questionable at best call for hitting behind the head that looked to everyone watching *except* ref Herb Dean to be on the side of the head. And what’s Leites’ assessment of his ‘gift’ victory that was barely a victory and would have been a draw had the correct call been made on the 2nd infraction? Oh, and in a fight that Marquardt dominated and would have won easily had it not been for the point deductions? You’d think that he was GSP and Marquardt was Matt Serra from the way he talks about it:

Franz: Would you take a rematch?

Thales Leites: I don’t think so. He did a lot of illegal things to me. In my opinion it was his obligation to knock me out in the second round after the illegal knee. If he wants to fight me again I think he should get to the line, and wait in it again. I’m looking for the title-shot. He had his chance before, and he couldn’t get it so now it’s my time.

Just a completely classless move. The correct response is ’sure, I’d be happy to fight Marquardt again. I’ll fight anyone. I’d like to prove that I’m the better fighter and not just the beneficiary of a questionable ref call’.

That bit about ‘his obligation to knock him out’ is hilarious. You could also suggest that it was Leites’ ‘obligation’ to not get dominated for three rounds and then act like he owned Marquardt when he won a very controversial split decision. The way to handle this is to just say that you’d be happy to fight Marquardt again because you’re a fighter and that’s what you do. Then let Dana White deal with who fights who like he will anyway. Since Dana and matchmaker Joe Silva call the shots, why risk looking like a punk when you can just take the high road?

Enjoy getting knocked out by Anderson Silva, Thales….

Thales Leites: No Rematch for Nate Marquardt @ Bloody Elbow