This coming Saturday’s welterweight clash between Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves may be getting lost a little bit in the mix, which isn’t too surprising, considering that the UFC 111 card also features 2 title fights. Really, when you look at the resume of either Alves or Fitch, it’s a bout that could easily headline a Fight Night card or be a co-main event on a PPV.
Of course, aside from the fact that both Alves and Fitch are at the top of the welterweight rankings, the big storyline behind this fight (and what’s a fight without a little drama heading into it) is that Fitch stopped Alves back in June, 2006 (it’s scary to think that for some UFC fans that’s nearly one quarter of their life ago- damn we’re getting old).
At any rate, Alves has been calling for another shot at Fitch for some time now, and naturally, the American Top Team fighter is promising that things are going to be different this time around. While speaking to Tatame.com, Alves had this to say, when asked about his evolution as a fighter over the last few years.
“I think I was too young when we fought. Not on sport, but on UFC, this American system of weight lost… Now I’m a different fighter, I’ve learned a lot, I fight better Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu… It couldn’t be a better time. I’m coming from a defeat and I want to be back to winner’s list. Beating him I’ll fight for the belt again.”
In the interview Alves also talks further about Fitch, GSP vs. Dan Hardy, and Paulo Thiago. A trifecta of huge bouts this Saturday. To bet on any of them head here.