Thiago Alves (fighter)

This name uses Portuguese naming customs. The first or maternal family name is Alves and the second or paternal family name is Araujo.
Thiago Alves
Born Thiago Alves d'Araujo
(1983-10-03) October 3, 1983
Fortaleza, Brazil
Other names Pitbull
Nationality Brazilian
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Division Welterweight (170 lb)
Reach 70.0 in (178 cm)[1]
Fighting out of Coconut Creek, Florida, United States
Team American Top Team
Rank Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Years active 2001–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 31
Wins 21
By knockout 12
By submission 2
By decision 7
Losses 10
By knockout 2
By submission 4
By decision 4
Amateur career
Total 2
Wins 2
By knockout 1
Other information
Website Official UFC Profile http://www.thiagoalves.tv/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Thiago Alves d'Araujo (Portuguese pronunciation: [tʃiˈaɡu ˈawvis]; born October 3, 1983) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing as a welterweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of March 7, 2016, he is #15 in official UFC welterweight rankings.[3]

Background

Born and raised in Fortaleza, Brazil, Alves began training in Muay Thai at the age of 15 in order to get in better shape before transitioning to mixed martial arts at the age of 17. Alves won his first MMA bout as an amateur at just 15 years old, defeating a 25-year-old competitor by unanimous decision. At 19, Alves relocated from Brazil to Coconut Creek, Florida to train full-time at the prestigious American Top Team camp.

Mixed martial arts career

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Alves, with a record of 8–3, received an invitation to make his UFC debut at Ultimate Fight Night 2 against fellow UFC newcomer Spencer Fisher. The fight would take place on Alves' twenty-second birthday. Despite having early success in the bout, especially on the ground, Alves fell victim to a triangle choke late in the second round.

Thiago returned to action on the undercard of UFC 56, defeating previously-undefeated Ansar Chalangov by TKO due to punches at 2:25 into the first round.

At UFC 59, Thiago was matched up against Derrick Noble, a fighter he had previously lost to by rear naked choke. The two fighters were both aggressive on the feet, in which Alves was forced to cover up after getting rocked with a flurry by Noble. Looking to capitalize, Noble rushed in when Alves caught him with a perfectly timed counterpunch that dropped him and led to Alves scoring a TKO victory.

At Ultimate Fight Night 5, Alves was matched up against fellow up-and-comer Jon Fitch. In a match-up of two future top welterweight contenders, Fitch defeated Alves via TKO at 4:37 into the second round after landing a flush upkick to the face of Alves which dropped him and led to Fitch finishing the fight with strikes.

Alves returned to his winning ways at Ortiz vs. Shamrock 3 - The Final Chapter, defeating veteran John Alessio by unanimous decision.

"Pitbull" completed a busy 2006, during which he fought four times. At UFC 66, he dominated Tony DeSouza, knocking out the jiu-jitsu black belt with a knee in the second round. Following his victory, it was announced that Alves tested positive for a diuretic, spironolactone, which he supposedly used to help him lose water weight in order to make the 170-pound limit.[4] As a result of the failed drug test, Alves was suspended eight months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and fined $5,500.[5]

Alves returned at UFC Fight Night 11, where he knocked out Japanese fighter Kuniyoshi Hironaka with a punch and knee in the second round. Less than two months later, Alves faced off against veteran contender Chris Lytle at UFC 78. After an exciting stand-up battle, doctors halted the bout at the end of the second round because of a cut above the eye of Lytle—declaring Alves the winner by doctor stoppage.

In his first bout of 2008 at UFC Fight Night 13, Alves faced his biggest test to date, as he was matched up against welterweight contender Karo Parisyan. After resisting any attempts to grapple but failing to amount any significant offense during the stand-up exchanges throughout the first round, "The Pitbull" scored a knee to the head of Parisyan, knocking down the judo expert before finishing him on the ground with strikes.

Rising up the welterweight ranks

Once again taking just two months between bouts, Alves accepted a fight against former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes, a fighter widely considered the most dominant champion in UFC history. The Welterweight bout, which served as the main event of UFC 85 in London, was scheduled as a late replacement after Chuck Liddell had to pull out of his headliner fight against Rashad Evans with a hamstring injury.

Prior to the bout, Alves surprised many by missing weight for the welterweight bout—coming in at 174 pounds.[6] Despite his opponent missing the 170-pound limit, Hughes accepted the fight at a catchweight. Despite the pre-fight blunder, Alves shocked the crowd by dominating the heavily favored former champion. After picking apart Hughes standing and displaying vastly-improved takedown defense throughout the first round, "The Pitbull" knocked Hughes down with a flying knee and followed him to the ground with punches early in the second, earning a TKO stoppage. In the post fight interview, Alves attributed not making weight to spraining his ankle two weeks before the fight.

Next, Alves was slated to face Diego Sanchez at UFC 90, in what many believed would be a match for the number-one contender spot. Sanchez, however, would be forced to pull out of the bout just weeks before the event due to injury.[7]

Josh Koscheck, another top-contender and four-time NCAA wrestling All-American, stepped in for Sanchez on short notice.[8] Alves controlled most of the fight and won via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 30–27).[9] The Brazilian's improved takedown-defense was once again on display, as the American Top Team fighter forced Koscheck into a kick boxing battle. Alves' devastating leg kicks proved to be a factor throughout the bout, taking away much of Koscheck's mobility. He also managed to drop Koscheck several times during the 3-round bout, but Koscheck's quick recovery enabled him to survive the onslaughts.[10]

Welterweight title shot

With his impressive victory over Koscheck, Alves was on a 7-fight win streak, winning 9 of his past 10 bouts. After consecutive dominant performances against Parisyan, Hughes and Koscheck, Dana White announced that Alves had earned a title shot against the winner of the welterweight title-fight at UFC 94. After Georges St-Pierre defended his title at UFC 94, Alves entered the ring to congratulate him. St. Pierre said that he was looking forward to facing Alves in the cage.[11] Thiago Alves fought Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on July 11, 2009 at UFC 100.[12] During the fight, Alves was taken down a total of ten times. Although he showed potential on his feet and put in a resilient performance on the ground, continually getting back up, he was ultimately subjected to a clinic put on by St. Pierre and being outwrestled in all five rounds ultimately losing via unanimous decision.

Post-title shot

Alves was scheduled to face Jon Fitch at UFC 107[13] in a rematch of their bout at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 5. However Alves suffered a knee injury, forcing him to withdrawfrom the fight. Alves was then scheduled to face Fitch on March 27, 2010 at UFC 111: St.Pierre vs. Hardy.[14] However, on March 25, Alves was taken off the card due to the discovery of an arteriovenous malformation in the brain from a pre fight CAT scan.[15][16][17] Alves had the corrective surgery on March 31, 2010 at Roosevelt Hospital in New York. He took leave of absence, staying in New Jersey with his wife, Melissa and was expected to fight again during the summer of 2010.[18]

The Alves/Fitch rematch, originally slated for UFC 107, then UFC 111,[19] then UFC 115,[20] finally took place at UFC 117.[21] This fight was confirmed to be the number one contendership for the welterweight championship (to fight the winner of the St-Pierre/Koscheck bout). Alves again failed to make weight, weighing in at 171.5 lb, meaning he had to give up 20% of his fight purse. Alves would go on to lose to Fitch via unanimous decision.[22] Dana White stated in the post fight press conference that Alves could be moving to the middleweight division.[23]

Days later, Alves said that he'd been given one more chance by the UFC to compete as a welterweight.[24]

Alves faced John Howard on December 11, 2010 at UFC 124.[25] Alves won by a dominant unanimous decision in one of his best performances in the UFC, out-striking and out-wrestling Howard and eventually getting a knockdown in the third round with a clean punch.

Following the victory over Howard, Alves lost to Rick Story on May 28, 2011 at UFC 130 via unanimous decision. Alves had a slow start to both the first and second round, during which Story pressured Alves against the cage but was unable to land any significant damage or takedowns. Alves managed to find his rhythm and began landing clean strikes that resulted in him winning the third round, however ended up losing 29-28 on all three judges score cards.[26]

Alves faced promotional newcomer Papy Abedi at UFC 138. After exchanging hard leg and body kicks, and showing good takedown defence, Alves was able to land a two-punch combination that dropped Abedi, securing full mount and opening up a cut due to elbows. Displaying improved ground control, Alves defeated Abedi via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:32 of round 1 to secure his first submission victory in the UFC (and first submission victory in his MMA career that wasn't due to strikes).[27]

Alves faced Martin Kampmann on March 3, 2012 at UFC on FX 2.[28] After avoiding takedowns and outstriking Kampmann for the majority of the fight, Alves was submitted in the final minute of the bout after being caught in a guillotine while trying to secure a takedown.[29]

Alves was expected to face Japanese superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama on July 21, 2012 at UFC 149.[30] However, Akiyama was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Siyar Bahadurzada.[31] Then on June 1, Alves pulled out of the bout citing an injury [32] and was replaced by Chris Clements.[33]

Alves was expected to face Matt Brown on August 17, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 26.[34] However, Alves pulled out of the bout citing another injury and was replaced by Mike Pyle.[35]

After over two years away from the sport due to a litany of injuries and lengthy rehabilitations, Alves returned to face Seth Baczynski on April 19, 2014 at UFC on Fox 11.[36][37] He won the fight via unanimous decision. The win also earned Alves his second Fight of the Night bonus award.[38]

Alves was expected to face Jordan Mein on August 23, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 49.[39] However, Alves pulled out of the bout citing yet another injury, and was replaced by Brandon Thatch.[40] Subsequently, Thatch also pulled out of the bout with Mein citing a toe injury.[41] The bout between Alves and Mein would later be rescheduled and eventually took place on January 31, 2015 at UFC 183.[42] Alves won the fight via TKO in the second round, after hurting Mein with a brutal kick in the solar plexus and capitalizing with subsequent punches. This win also won Alves his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[43]

Fighting twice in a year for the first time since 2011, Alves returned to face Carlos Condit on May 30, 2015 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 67.[44] Alves lost the fight via TKO after the cage-side doctor ended the contest between the second and third round due to the amount of damage Alves had taken.[45][46]

Alves was expected to face Benson Henderson on November 28, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 79.[47] However on November 14, Alves pulled out the bout citing injury and was replaced by Jorge Masvidal.[48]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 21–10 Carlos Condit TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves May 30, 2015 2 5:00 Goiânia, Brazil
Win 21–9 Jordan Mein TKO (body kick) UFC 183 January 31, 2015 2 0:39 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 20–9 Seth Baczynski Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne April 19, 2014 3 5:00 Orlando, Florida, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 19–9 Martin Kampmann Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann March 3, 2012 3 4:12 Sydney, Australia
Win 19–8 Papy Abedi Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 138 November 5, 2011 1 3:32 Birmingham, England
Loss 18–8 Rick Story Decision (unanimous) UFC 130 May 28, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 18–7 John Howard Decision (unanimous) UFC 124 December 11, 2010 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss 17–7 Jon Fitch Decision (unanimous) UFC 117 August 7, 2010 3 5:00 Oakland, California, United States Catchweight (171.5 lbs) bout; Alves missed weight.
Loss 17–6 Georges St-Pierre Decision (unanimous) UFC 100 July 11, 2009 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Win 17–5 Josh Koscheck Decision (unanimous) UFC 90 October 25, 2008 3 5:00 Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Win 16–5 Matt Hughes TKO (flying knee and punches) UFC 85 June 7, 2008 2 1:02 London, England Catchweight (174 lbs) bout; Alves missed weight. Knockout of the Night.
Win 15–5 Karo Parisyan TKO (knee and punches) UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Lauzon April 2, 2008 2 0:34 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 14–5 Chris Lytle TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 78 November 17, 2007 2 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 13–5 Kuniyoshi Hironaka TKO (punch and knee) UFC Fight Night: Thomas vs Florian September 19, 2007 2 4:04 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12–5 Tony DeSouza KO (knee) UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz December 30, 2006 2 1:10 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Tested positive for banned diuretics.
Win 11–5 John Alessio Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night 6.5 October 10, 2006 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Loss 10–5 Jon Fitch TKO (upkick and punches) UFC Fight Night 5 June 28, 2006 2 4:37 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–4 Derrick Noble TKO (punches) UFC 59: Reality Check April 15, 2006 1 2:54 Anaheim, California, United States
Win 9–4 Ansar Chalangov KO (punches) UFC 56: Full Force November 19, 2005 1 2:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 8–4 Spencer Fisher Submission (triangle choke) UFC Fight Night 2 October 3, 2005 2 4:43 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–3 Jeff Cox KO (knee and punches) KOTC 48: Payback February 25, 2005 1 0:15 Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Win 7–3 Jason Chambers Submission (punches) IHC 8: Ethereal November 20, 2004 1 4:57 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 6–3 Nuri Shakir Decision (unanimous) Absolute Fighting Championships 7 February 27, 2004 2 5:00 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Loss 5–3 Derrick Noble Submission (rear-naked choke) Absolute Fighting Championships 6 December 6, 2003 2 2:13 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win 5–2 Marcus Davis Decision (split) Hardcore Fighting Championships 2 October 18, 2003 3 5:00 Revere, Massachusetts, United States
Win 4–2 Mike Littlefield TKO (punches) Mass Destruction 12 August 16, 2003 2 0:50 Taunton, Massachusetts, United States
Win 3–2 Carlos Alexandre Pereira TKO (doctor stoppage) Bitetti Combat Nordeste 2 March 20, 2003 2 N/A Natal, Brazil
Win 2–2 Fabio Holanda Decision (unanimous) Bitetti Combat Nordeste 1 November 28, 2002 3 5:00 Natal, Brazil
Win 1–2 Wilson Belchoir KO (punch) Champions Night 3 October 8, 2001 1 N/A Brazil
Loss 0–2 Lucas Lopes Decision (unanimous) X: Fight September 28, 2001 3 5:00 João Pessoa, Brazil
Loss 0–1 Gleison Tibau Submission (armbar) Champions Night 2 June 30, 2001 2 3:31 Fortaleza, Brazil

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Condit vs. Alves". UFC.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Thiago Alves - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  3. ↑ UFC Fighter Rankings
  4. ↑ "NSAC Says Alves Tests Positive for Diuretic". Sherdog.com. January 4, 2007. Retrieved January 29, 2007.
  5. ↑ Stupp, Dann (February 16, 2007). "Thiago Alves Suspended Eight Months, Fined $5,500 by NSAC". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  6. ↑ "UFC 85 weigh-in results for 'Bedlam' PPV event in London; Thiago Alves misses weight". Mmamania.com. June 6, 2008. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  7. ↑ Herman, Gary (October 13, 2008). "Diego Sanchez out of UFC 90 match-up with Thiago Alves; to be replaced by Josh Koscheck". FiveOuncesofPain.com. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  8. ↑ Pishna, Ken (October 13, 2008). "Koscheck Steps in to Face Alves at UFC 90". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  9. ↑ "UFC 90 Results and Live Play-by-Play". MMAWeekly.com. October 23, 2008.
  10. ↑ Rousseau, Robert (October 25, 2008). "UFC 90 Review: Anderson Silva retains title". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  11. ↑ Pishna, Ken (December 9, 2008). "Thiago Alves Gets Next Shot at UFC 170 Title". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  12. ↑ "Thank You". Ballhype.com. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  13. ↑ "Jon Fitch to rematch Thiago Alves at UFC 107 in December". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves Rematch Scheduled for UFC 111 on March 27 in New Jersey". mmafrenzy.com. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
  15. ↑ Fistic Medicine: Alves and ‘Brain Irregularity’
  16. ↑ "Thiago Alves Out of UFC Fight Due to Brain Irregularity; Hopes for Quick Return". tvguide.com. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
  17. ↑ Thiago Alves pulled from UFC 111 fight card after CAT Scan reveals brain irregularity (Updated)
  18. ↑ Thiago Alves Has Brain Surgery, Can Train in 2 Weeks
  19. ↑ "Thiago Alves and Jon Fitch agree to rematch at UFC 111 in March". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Thiago Alves vs. Jon Fitch II rebooked for UFC 115 in June". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  21. ↑ "With official medical clearance, Thiago Alves set for UFC 117 fight with Jon Fitch". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  22. ↑ "UFC 117 main card recap, miracle submission saves champ Anderson Silva". mmajunkie.com. August 8, 2010.
  23. ↑ "WHITE FED UP WITH THIAGO ALVES MISSING WEIGHT". MMAWeekly.com. August 8, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Thiago Alves: The nightmare is over, but I'm on my last chance". mmafighting.com. August 18, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Thiago Alves vs. John Howard targeted for UFC 124". mmajunkie.com. September 2, 2010.
  26. ↑ "Thiago Alves Returns to UFC in May, Expected to Face Rick Story". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved December 24, 2010.
  27. ↑ Martin, Damon. "Thiago Alves Back in Action at UFC 138 Against Swedish Newcomer Papy Abedi". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  28. ↑ "UFC on FX 2, Alves vs. Kampmann official for Allphones Arena in Sydney". MMAjunkie.com. December 14, 2011.
  29. ↑ Staff (2012-03-03). "UFC on FX 2 results: Martin Kampmann stuns Thiago Alves with late submission". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  30. ↑ "Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Thiago Alves targeted for UFC 149 in Calgary". mmajunkie.com. April 10, 2012.
  31. ↑ "Siyar Bahadurzada replaces Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 149, meets Thiago Alves". mmajunkie.com. May 8, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  32. ↑ "Thiago Alves Out of UFC 149". mmafighting.com. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Clements faces Bahadurzada at UFC 149". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  34. ↑ Ariel Helwani (2013-05-04). "Matt Brown vs. Thiago Alves agree to fight on UFC on FOX Sports 1 debut card". MMAfighting.com. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  35. ↑ Mookie Alexander (2013-07-03). "Thiago Alves injured, Mike Pyle now fights Matt Brown at UFC on Fox Sports 1 in Boston". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  36. ↑ Henderson, Jason (7 February 2014). "Thiago Alves Returns To Fight Seth Baczynski At UFC On FOX 11". Fight of the Night. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  37. ↑ Matt Erickson (2014-02-06). "Thiago Alves returns at UFC on FOX 11, meets Seth Baczynski in Orlando". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  38. ↑ Staff (2014-04-19). "UFC on FOX 11 bonuses: Cerrone, White, Alves, Baczynski win $50,000". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
  39. ↑ Staff (2014-06-11). "Thiago Alves, Jordan Mein meet in welterweight tilt at UFC Fight Night 49". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
  40. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2014-07-02). "Knee injury scratches Thiago Alves from UFC Fight Night 49, Brandon Thatch now faces Jordan Mein". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  41. ↑ Staff (August 2, 2014). "Brandon Thatch withdraws from Jordan Mein fight". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  42. ↑ Tuttle, C.J. (October 16, 2014). "Jordan Mein-Thiago Alves rebooked for UFC 183". sherdog.com. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  43. ↑ Staff (2015-02-01). "UFC 183 bonuses: Which fighter on the card doubled up for $100,000?". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-02-01.
  44. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2015-03-08). "Carlos Condit vs. Thiago Alves targeted for UFC Fight Night 67 in Brazil". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  45. ↑ Elias Cepeda (2015-05-31). "Carlos Condit scores TKO win over Thiago Alves in bloody war". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2015-05-31.
  46. ↑ Marc Raimondi (2015-05-31). "UFC Fight Night 67 results: Carlos Condit viciously beats down Thiago Alves in return". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-05-31.
  47. ↑ Ariel Helwani (2015-08-20). "Benson Henderson vs. Thiago Alves targeted for main event of UFC's South Korean debut". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-08-20.
  48. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2015-11-14). "Jorge Masvidal in for injured Thiago Alves vs. Ben Henderson at UFC Fight Night 79". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-11-14.

External links

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