After upset of Larkin, Brad Tavares still lobbying for top 10 opponent

DULUTH, Ga. – A 2-to-1 underdog in his fight against Lorenz Larkin, Brad Tavares feels a little bad for anyone who counted him out before Wednesday’s fight.

“It was a bad bet for them,” Tavares (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) told MMAjunkie of his win over Larkin (14-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) in UFC Fight Night 35's co-main event.

Tavares slowed a little in the third round, but it was being first to the draw over the first 10 minutes of the fight that got him a unanimous decision win.

UFC Fight Night 35 took place at Arena at Gwinnett center in Duluth, Ga., just north of Atlanta. The main card aired on FOX Sports 1 following prelims on that network and UFC Fight Pass.

Tavares ran his winning streak to five fights, all decisions, and is now an impressive 7-1 in the UFC. His lone loss came two and a half years ago to Aaron Simpson, a decision loss at UFC 132.

The Las Vegas-based Hawaiian said his team’s pre-fight scouting report on Larkin paid off.

“My coaches and I, we watched previous fights from Larkin and saw if you give him space and let him set up his game, he’s very creative and a very explosive striker – quick with both his hands and his feet,” Tavares said. “I tried to upset his rhythm a little bit, and kind of keep the pressure on him somewhat. He’s quick, but I felt like I was quicker, and I think I showed that tonight. I didn’t let him get into a groove. I got into my groove.”

Now Tavares is hoping that groove will include some even stiffer tests in the future. After wins over Dongi Yang, Tom Watson, Riki Fukuda and Robert McDaniel, on paper, Larkin was arguably Tavares’ toughest test yet in the UFC.

Lobbying even before the Larkin fight for some names in the Top 10, Tavares likely will get his wish his next time out. Neither Tavares or Larkin currently are rained in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA middleweight rankings. But Tavares could be headed onto the list after Wednesday’s win. And he wants bigger tests next.

“I’ve just been trying to rally for those guys in the top 10,” he told MMAjunkie. “I beat I think No. 13 tonight, so hopefully this fight gives me a top 10 guy.”

If UFC President Dana White has anything to say about it, and he typically does, Tavares will be able to count on that step up in competition.

“It was a big fight, and he won it tonight, and he definitely climbs up the ladder,” White told MMAjunkie.

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 35, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.