Brazilian Thiago Michel is a top notch striker currently contracted to Bellator Fighting Championships, where he fights in their lightweight division. Michel began kickboxing under his father's tutelage at the age of 12. He was formerly a professional kickboxer, and even had a bout on an 'It's Showtime' event, where he won a unanimous decision. Michel still competes in professional kickboxing and Muay Thai events, despite having a career as a mixed martial artist.

Michel made his MMA debut in 2006, going 6-1 in his first seven fights, until he took a two year break away from the sport. He would return to action in 2010, winning three of four fights before signing to fight Rene Nazare at Bellator 62 in March 2012 in the Season Six Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal. This bout was also Michel's U.S. debut. Using his reach and superior striking, Michel would outpoint the Bellator vet en route to a split decision victory. However, he would fall to another Bellator veteran in Brent Weedman his next time out. This time, he would lose a split decision at Bellator 66, just a month later.

Michel's strength and weakness' are very obvious. He possesses top notch kickboxing, but has never won a fight by submission, and all three of his losses are due to his lack of grappling chops (he has two losses by sub, one decision loss). Even if he does have a disadvantage on the ground, Michel has scored knockouts in nine of his ten victories, ensuring that more often than not, Michel gives the fans what they want to see, a knockout.

Michel will return to the Bellator cage at Bellator 87, when he will compete in the lightweight tournament quarterfinal against Alexander 'Tiger' Sarnavskiy.