LAS VEGAS – UFC middleweight veteran Brad Tavares has caught up to Hall of Famer Michael Bisping in the record books.
On the main card of UFC on ESPN 65 at the UFC Apex, Tavares (21-10 MMA, 16-10 UFC) ended a two-fight skid with a unanimous decision win over Gerald Meerschaert. It was a significant result for Tavares, who proved doubters wrong while also making history.
“I think for one, it ties me for the most wins in UFC middleweight history,” Tavares told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “Two, I think it just shows the rest of the division that if anyone thought I was on my way out, or whatever they were thinking, that I’m still here, I’m still learning, I’m still growing.
“I feel like I still have room, as crazy as it is, I’ve been in it 20-plus fights, 15 years, and I still feel like I have that mentality that I can do more, I can do better. I can still evolve. There’s a lot more things that we were working on that I wasn’t able to show tonight.”
The win over Meerschaert (37-19 MMA, 12-11 UFC) was Tavares’ 16th victory in the middleweight division, tying Bisping for most in division history. He already held the record for most fight time and is also first in the record books with 14 middleweight decision victories. Tavares is also tied with Neil Magny for most decision wins in the promotion’s overall history.
“To be honest, the stats thing, it’s important, I like it,” Tavares said. “I’m humbled by it, but it’s not something I really think about or look forward to. Tonight, I didn’t even realize that. I knew I was up there close to Mike or whatever, I didn’t know if I was past him or whatnot.
“Like I said, I don’t really pay attention too much. But he brought it to my attention in the post-fight interview. I was like, ‘Oh, yeah! I caught you Mike.’ … Nothing but respect for that guy and all he’s accomplished.”
While Tavares said he doesn’t really focus on the numbers, he admitted he is looking forward to passing Bisping with another win.
Check out Tavares full post-fight interview in the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 65.
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