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It’s time for UFC 138 on Spike TV, and we’re here because we’re here. Get it, that works because…you know what, just Google it if you don’t get it. We can’t give you all of the answers, after all. Weekend editor Seth Falvo is handling tonight’s liveblog duties, so let’s just get it started. Hit “refresh” early and often.
Who has two thumbs and can’t wait for our liveblog? This guy! Props: MMAJunkie.com
It’s time for UFC 138 on Spike TV, and we’re here because we’re here. Get it, that works because…you know what, just Google it if you don’t get it. We can’t give you all of the answers, after all. Weekend editor Seth Falvo is handling tonight’s liveblog duties, so let’s just get it started. Hit “refresh” early and often.
Tonight marks the UFC’s first time experimenting with five round non-title main event fights. Joe Rogan doesn’t appear to think that tonight’s main event, Leben vs. Munoz, will go the full five rounds. Do you think he’s right about that? Resist the urge to Google the results before answering that.
Terry Etim vs. Edward Faaloloto
Round One: They touch gloves, and begin swinging. Terry throws a spinning back kick, and Edward Faaloloto shoots for a takedown. Etim catches Edward in a tight guillotine, and gets the tap. Wow. Terry Etim def. Edward Faaloloto via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:17
Filed under: UFCThiago Alves is finally back in the win column.
Alves, the former welterweight title contender who had lost three of his last four fights, beat UFC newcomer Papy Abedi with a first-round submission on Saturday at UFC 138.
Alves, the former welterweight title contender who had lost three of his last four fights, beat UFC newcomer Papy Abedi with a first-round submission on Saturday at UFC 138.
“I love England,” Alves told the fans in Birmingham, England after the fight. “You guys are the best. I love you guys.”
It was the first submission victory of Alves’ UFC career, but as he usually does when he’s at his best, Alves used his striking to take control of the fight. A hard couple of punches battered Abedi standing up and wobbled him, and Alves then pounced and started punishing Abedi on the ground. For a moment it appeared that referee Dan Miragliotta was ready to step in and stop the fight, but Abedi managed to hold on for dear life.
However, when Abedi held on for a moment, Alves simply took Abedi’s back and sunk in a rear-naked choke. Abedi quickly tapped out.
The victory gets Alves’s career back on track, and he can now start to look for fights with highly ranked opponents again. Abedi looked, frankly, like he doesn’t belong in the UFC — he might not get a second chance inside the Octagon. But this was the kind of win Alves needed.
Round 1: This could the show-stealer as both men are standup stylists. Alves lets a nice combo off early, ending with a kick. Abedi punches his way into a clinch, but Alves pushes him off. Hard inside leg kick from Abedi. Alves fires off a headkick that glances off its target. Abedi looks quite confident, constantly coming forward. Alves hurts Abedi with a right cross, then a left hook behind it. Abedi is on wobby legs. Alves pounces. He drops his opponent, and gets full mount. A series of strikes, and he easily snakes his arm under Abedi’s chin for a rear naked choke victory.
That’s the 16th fight for Alves in the UFC, and it’s his first submission win in the octagon.
Round 1: This could the show-stealer as both men are standup stylists. Alves lets a nice combo off early, ending with a kick. Abedi punches his way into a clinch, but Alves pushes him off. Hard inside leg kick from Abedi. Alves fires off a headkick that glances off its target. Abedi looks quite confident, constantly coming forward. Alves hurts Abedi with a right cross, then a left hook behind it. Abedi is on wobby legs. Alves pounces. He drops his opponent, and gets full mount. A series of strikes, and he easily snakes his arm under Abedi’s chin for a rear naked choke victory.
That’s the 16th fight for Alves in the UFC, and it’s his first submission win in the octagon.
Thiago Alves will be looking to get back to his old ways against UFC newcomer Papy Abedi in the feature fight of the night. After winning seven straight fights to earn a title shot against Georges St-Pierre, Alves has been a dismal 1-3, most recen…
Thiago Alves will be looking to get back to his old ways against UFC newcomer Papy Abedi in the feature fight of the night.
After winning seven straight fights to earn a title shot against Georges St-Pierre, Alves has been a dismal 1-3, most recently getting upset by Rick Story. Though his career probably isn’t at a risk tonight, Alves desperately needs to get his career back on track.
Standing across from him in the Octagon will be a legitimate challenge. Abedi is an undefeated middleweight prospect that uses his judo background to slam opponents to the mat, where he looks to ground-and-pound his way to a finish.
If Alves is going to win this fight, it will have to be on the feet. He’s had difficulties with wrestlers in the past, and Abedi’s strength and style will present him with difficulties on the ground.
There’s no question that Alves has the better striking in this fight. His biggest strength lays in his Muay Thai skills, utilizing short punch combinations to set up chopping leg kicks and clinch knees to soften his opponents body and chin. Alves will need to keep Abedi at a distance with quick, crisp punches and utilize intelligent footwork (something he doesn’t always do) to keep from being cornered up against the cage.
Given Abedi’s need to close the distance and get a hold of his opponent, there’s no doubt that we’ll see him pressing forward, working behind punches to close the distance and change levels. Alves needs to get the better of striking exchanges in the center of the cage and then circle off at angles to keep the action where he is most comfortable.
In no scenario should Alves engage in a clinch with Abedi, but if he finds himself there, his best bet is to fire off a knee or two towards Abedi’s head or body and then look to get Abedi’s hands off of him, throwing punches out of the clinch.
It’s always easier said than done to employ a game plan to perfection, but that is precisely what Alves will need to do tonight to stack the deck in his favor.
Merely two years, Thiago Alves was considered one of the top 10 best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.Now, the former welterweight contender could be on the chopping block at UFC 138 when he rolls out the welcome mat for newcomer Papy Abedi.After …
Merely two years, Thiago Alves was considered one of the top 10 best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
Now, the former welterweight contender could be on the chopping block at UFC 138 when he rolls out the welcome mat for newcomer Papy Abedi.
After losing to Jon Fitch in June 2006, Alves went on a reign of terror in the welterweight division that lasted two years and earned him a shot at UFC champion Georges St-Pierre.
Heading into the epic UFC 100 showdown, many believed Alves would be St-Pierre’s biggest test. He was riding a seven-fight win streak, which included victories over world-class opposition in Matt Hughes, Josh Koscheck and Karo Parisyan.
All of the momentum in the world didn’t matter for Alves, who was outclassed by St-Pierre in every aspect en route to a lopsided unanimous decision loss.
Since that fight, Alves has suffered multiple injuries, struggled to make weight and endured a steep decline in fight performance.
To put it bluntly, Alves, who is 1-3 in his last four fights, just doesn’t seem like the same fighter anymore.
At only 28 years of age, Alves has plenty of time to turn things around. He is still one of the best strikers in the entire welterweight division. If he can clean up his takedown defense, he would be a nightmare for any 170-pounder.
As well as cleaning up his defense, it would be nice to see Alves add dimensions to his game. People tend to forget that he’s a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
While Alves is by no means Demian Maia on the ground, it would be a nice change-up to see him implement takedowns and groundwork to round off his skills.
Can Thiago Alves become an elite welterweight again?
He most certainly can, but the road back has to begin against Abedi. If not, “The Pitbull” could be barking his swan song at UFC 138.
Papy Abedi will be making his much anticipated UFC debut at UFC 138. Abedi brings a black belt in judo and some thunderous power to the Octagon.In eight professional bouts, only one person has had the unfortunate pleasure of lasting until the final bel…
Papy Abedi will be making his much anticipated UFC debut at UFC 138. Abedi brings a black belt in judo and some thunderous power to the Octagon.
In eight professional bouts, only one person has had the unfortunate pleasure of lasting until the final bell. His last bout ended as a result of a knockdown that transitioned into a guillotine choke.
For most fighters, their first bout in the UFC is against someone who’s either relatively new themselves, or a veteran well past their prime. Abedi instead has a welcoming party that’s hosted by top 10 welterweight Thiago Alves.
Besides making his UFC debut, Abedi will also be making his welterweight debut as well. He didn’t look drained at the weigh ins and it seems the cut hasn’t bothered him at all.
His opponent Alves has some of the best striking in the 170lb division. “The Pitbull” has bone breaking leg kicks to go along with lightning fast knees and hands.
Alves is likely to use a lot of leg kicks to attempt to control the distance and keep Abedi at bay. Alves will have openings for his power hand as Abedi is a southpaw and has shown to lead with hooks at times.
Abedi is no doubt confident about his own stand up abilities but he should look to avoid any extended striking contests.
He has to close the distance and use his clinch game against Alves. At UFC 130, we saw Rick Story able to implement a strategy that forced Thiago into corners. Once Alves was near the cage, Story was able to take down Alves or hit him with a few shots.
Alves’ kryptonite has always been wrestlers. Georges St-Pierre and Jon Fitch were able to take Alves down at will in their bouts. Granted those are the top two welterweights in the world so I don’t expect Abedi to have the same success.
Even if Abedi can clinch with Thiago, it won’t be easy getting the Brazilian to the ground. Abedi will more than likely eat a few knees in his attempts to take Thiago down so he has to be prepared to take a few shots to get the take down.
It will be interesting to see how much Alves is affected by his weight cut, which is something that’s always a concern when he fights.
If Alves doesn’t have his usual speed, expect to see Abedi work his way inside and use his judo background to take Alves to the mat. Holding Thiago down not only prevents him from using his best offensive weapons, it is the area Abedi has the greatest chance of winning.
Thiago Alves
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