Filed under: Blue Corner , Featured , Featured Videos , News , UFC Longtime Las Vegas resident Brad Tavares kicked off UFC 216 with a powerful message to his adopted city. As Tavares, a native Hawaiian, was quick to point out after his unanimous-decision victory over Thales Leites at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, he always walks out for his fights with the Hawaii state flag. But this time he added another – the state flag of Nevada – to show his support for his fellow Las Vegas residents in the wake of last weekend’s mass shooting that killed 58 and injured 500 more. “(UFC President) Dana (White) told us there was going to be 1,500 first responders here in attendance,” Tavares said. “I don’t know if you guys are all here yet, but from the bottom of my heart, thank you, guys.” Congratulations to our brother @BradTavares on another good will !! #VEGASSTRONG !!! Great job team @Eric_XCMMA @VinnyMMA @Xtreme_Couture pic.twitter.com/Jt9mYIedUm — Ray Sefo (@SugarRaySefo) October 8, 2017 Tavares, a longtime member of the Xtreme Couture team in Las Vegas, displayed the flag while wearing a T-shirt with the message “Vegas Strong.” He ended his remarks with some words of encouragement for his fellow Las Vegas residents.
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Las Vegas resident Brad Tavares kicks off UFC 216 with powerful message – MMA Junkie