BIRMINGHAM, England – UFC 138 had the makings of a disaster for former UFC welterweight title challenger Thiago Alves.
A 16-fight UFC veteran, he was criticized for taking on an unknown UFC newcomer in Papy Abedi, and at Friday’s weigh-ins, his past weight-cutting issues seemed to catch up with him again when he initially failed to make weight.
A victory, though, was what Alves needed to reassure himself better days are ahead.