Thiago Moises’ Search for Consistency

Even Thiago Moises admits his Ultimate Fighting Championship run has resembled something of a rollercoaster ride.

The American Top Team standout will look to improve upon his 6-4 record inside the Octagon when he meets Benoit St. Denis in a UFC Fight Night 226 lightweight showcase on Saturday at Accor Arena in Paris. Moises does not necessarily view his perceived inconsistencies through a lens of negativity. Struggles have their perks.

“I’ve had my highs and lows in the UFC,” he told Sherdog.com. “I’ve had several tough fights against the best in our weight class. I’ve been maturing and evolving as an athlete, and I’m still far from my goal. I’m still young. Those highs and lows are part of one’s career. I’m using them as learning experiences, so I can be even better, so I can go on a winning streak. The objective remains to capture the championship belt.”

St. Denis blocks his road forward. The 28-year-old French judoka made an immediate impact when he downshifted to 155 pounds and now finds himself on a run of three consecutive victories, all of them finishes. St. Denis last appeared on July 1, when he submitted Ismael Bonfim with a face crank in the first round of their UFC on ESPN 48 pairing.

“Benoit is tough and complete,” Moises said. “He enjoys working on the ground, but jiu-jitsu is also a strong point of mine. This fight will show who has the better grappling skills. I’m excited for it.”

A former Resurrection Fighting Alliance champion, Moises has himself pointed in the right direction with back-to-back victories. He last fought at UFC 283, where he dispatched Melquizael Costa with a face crank in the second round of their Jan. 12 confrontation. Moises’ long-term goals remain unchanged.

“Without a doubt, I can one day capture the belt,” he said. “I’m still a young fighter. I’ve already had a long career, but I’m only 28, so I can continue to grow. Being champion is my objective. I’m willing to take it one step at a time until the belt is around my waist.”

Moises has plans beyond Benoit, and they include a return to his native Brazil, where he holds a perfect 7-0 record as a pro. For now, he has fixed his attention on the once-beaten Frenchman and the task at hand.

“My focus right now is only on Benoit since it will be a tough fight, but after that, I’d like a quick turnaround so I can fight at [the] UFC [event] in Sao Paulo [in November],” he said. “It would be great for me. It would be perfect.”