Former UFC middleweight title contender Thales Leites is no longer a free agent. He recently signed with the durable and popular Canadian promotion, Maximum Fighting Championship.

Leites' signing was announced by MFC promoter Mark Pavelich on a recent radio appearances on TapouT Radio and The Scores' Hardcore Sports Radio. Pavelich mentioned that Leites will make his debut with the promotion at MFC 23 on Dec. 4.

"He lost a split decision that many people thought he won, and the UFC cut him," said Pavelich. "I think he's mad now."

Leites will no doubt be an immediate contender in the division. He joins other former UFC fighters in MFC's middleweight division such as Jason MacDonald, TUF 4 winner Travis Lutter, Dean Lister and Trevor Prangley.

The UFC release of Leites surprised some as the talented submission specialist fought for the promotion's middleweight title just four months prior.  There was some confusion concerning Leites' release from the UFC as company President Dana White didn't know at first that the Brazilian fighter had been cut, but later confirmed Leites' release with UFC matchmaker Joe Silva.

Leites suffered a close split decision loss against Alessio Sakara at last month's UFC 101. Prior to the loss, he had earned a UFC middleweight title shot against Anderson Silva after putting together a five-fight winning streak. He went on to lose a lackluster five-round decision against Silva at UFC 97 in April in a bout that prompted tons of criticism for his cautious and tentative approach.

Leites, The Nova Uniao fighter, exited the UFC with a 5-3 record with wins over Pete Sell, Floyd Sword, Ryan Jensen, Nate Marquardt and Drew McFedries. Besides losses to Silva and Sakara, his only other Octagon defeat came against Martin Kampmann in his UFC debut at TUF 4 finale in Nov. 2006.

The six-year veteran of the sport has put together a 14-3 professional MMA record with 11 wins by stoppage, including nine coming via submission. He holds other career wins over Jason Guida, Lucio Linhares, Gustavo Machado and Jose Landi-Jons.