We were extremely disappointed last week when news surfaced that pre-fight testing revealed an irregularity on Thiago Alves’ brain, sidelining his scheduled UFC 111 rematch with Jon Fitch (our response to fight cancellations usually resembles a 3 year old after they drop their 3 scoop ice cream cone, although who wouldn’t cry in that scenario?)
Of course what is more important than our selfish tendencies is that follow up tests revealed that Alves would be fine. This afternoon more good news has surfaced, as TMZ is reporting that Alves has undergone successful surgery to separate an artery from a vein in his brain, and is expected to make a full recovery (Alves apparently decided not to take it up a notch over Miguel Torres and did not have the surgery filmed, at least, not that we’re aware of). The surgery was performed in NYC and took 8 hours.
What’s also damn cool is that according to the report, Dana White informed TMZ that Alves’ first words were:
“When can I start training again?”
Is that an effin fighter or what? White apparently went on to state that Alves can resume training in a couple of weeks…sweet. Now it will be interesting to see when and who the UFC has Alves fight first. Clearly Fitch is chomping at the bit to rematch GSP but….