Welterweight striker Thiago Alves is hoping that despite a year layoff he’ll be able to take out world consensus number two 170 division fighter Jon Fitch. The two are set to lock horns this Saturday at UFC 117 in a fight that many MMA fans have been waiting for. Alves, who lost to Fitch in their first meeting, recently talked to UFC.com about how his career has changed and how he has evolved as a fighter:
“I’m more mature. I’m a professional fighter, not a rapper or movie star, and now I know the right things that I have to do. I actually became a student of the game. Fighting has always come easy for me, but I became more passionate about learning the fighting aspect. I have paid attention, worked harder than ever, and it’s paying off. It will show.”
If Alves can pull off the win it would certainly put him in line for a one and title shot, while a win by Fitch would seem to suggest that the wrestler should deserve another shot at GSP. Fitch has only lost once in 13 tries in the Octagon, proving that he deserves to be up there with the best. The different styles between these two should prove to be interesting. The MMA News will carry live coverage for UFC 117 as well as complete pre and post coverage.