Issue 126
March 2015
In this month: the history of mixed martial arts retold through the pages from FO’S archives - March 2010
Lucky to be alive, Thiago Alves had plans to rebuild his UFC title aspirations in 2010. But, five years on, those plans remain unfulfilled and his career remains as injury-ravaged as ever
Thiago Alves was thankful to simply be alive when he spoke to FO for our March cover issue five years ago. In the days leading up to a rescheduled fight with Jon Fitch at UFC 111, doctors reviewing a CAT scan found an irregularity in an artery in his brain. He was removed from the fight and he and his fans feared the worst.
The previous summer, ‘Pitbull’ had challenged Georges St Pierre for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 100. It was the biggest event in MMA history and the fight of his career. Now he suddenly found himself fighting for his life on the operating table.
“When I first found out, I prayed, I cried, then I prayed again,” an emotional Alves explained. “What was I going to do with my life? I was in limbo for 48 hours.”
A dark couple of days forced Alves to question a lot of things in his life, including the mixed martial arts career he had spent 15 years relentlessly pursuing.
“I was very low – I saw my career ending,” he added. “It is something you never want to hear. I have a lot of faith in God and I didn’t come to the US from Brazil at the age of 19, leaving everyone I love behind, not to accomplish what I set out to do in mixed martial arts.”
In these difficult times Alves admits he turned to his faith for comfort. The doctors explained he would have surgery and then would have to wait for the results to see if he could ever be cleared to fight again. It was the darkest time of his life.
“When I woke up from the operation, my baby, my girlfriend, was there,” he said. “I woke up and had tubes all over my body, my groin was tight and I couldn’t sleep that night. I wanted to get up but I couldn’t move. It was like playing a mental game.”
The Brazilian’s career was hanging in the balance but his prayers were answered. His career was saved and so was his life. He will never know what caused his life-threatening affliction, he just counts himself lucky it was picked up in time.
Now clear of the surgery, Alves spoke about his hopes to get his career and title aspirations back on track. “I have nothing holding me back now, no fears,” he said.
The American Top Team product was excited to get back in the cage once again, but little did he know, this wouldn’t be the last of his injury woes. In fact, it would be the start of a disastrous, injury-plagued five years.
Alves stepped into the Octagon just six times from 2010 to 2014. He wasn’t able to string together an injury-free run and he could only post a 3-3 record as a result.
Injury troubles flared up again to scupper a fight against Jordan Mein at UFC Fight Night 49 last year. Alves withdrew with the latest in a series of knee problems. The fight was eventually rescheduled for UFC 183 at the end of January.
Could 2015 be the year when Pitbull finally gets back to winning ways and climbs back into title contention? Only time will tell.
NOSTRADAMMAUS:
BISPING’S ROAD TO KNOWHERE
Michael Bisping’s nine-year tenure with the UFC has yet to produce a middleweight title shot. However, he has recorded victories over 15 opponents, despite the doubts of a large portion of the MMA community. Back in 2010 the Brit was back in the title hunt against a very game Dan Miller. While fans and pros were split down the middle, FO predicted ‘The Count’s striking would be too much for Miller to handle. And that’s exactly how it played out. Another notch for the Fighters Only team.
Elsewhere in the March 2010 Issue
MAKING HISTORY
Back in 2010, Fighters Only followed Dan Hardy in the build up to his attempt to make history and become the first British fighter to grab at UFC gold. Though ‘The Outlaw’ lost a lopsided decision to champion GSP, he captured the hearts of fight fans thanks to a gutsy display. As a result, FO consultant editor Gareth A Davies predicted Hardy’s journey was just beginning, but it was halted indefinitely just six fights later when he was diagnosed with a rare heart condition. Fortunately, the end of his Octagon exile looks like it will end this year.
TONEY FIGHT ON ICE
Chuck Liddell scoffed at the opportunity to fight former three-time boxing champion James Toney, whose gibbering tongue and wild personality was enough to convince the UFC brass to give him a payday. ‘The Iceman’ appeared in the pages of Fighters Only and appealed for a high-quality opponent to shut the former boxer’s mouth. UFC matchmaker Joe Silva obliged. Toney was fed to MMA legend Randy Couture a few months later. ‘The Natural’ quickly put the boxer on his back at UFC 118 and finished the fight in the first round with a barrage of ground ‘n’ pound. Toney never appeared in the cage again.
RAMPAGE’S CONTRACT ISSUES
‘Rampage’ Jackson was involved in the greatest trash-talking montage and rivalry in UFC history with former champion Rashad Evans back in 2010. The fight had fans ready to explode with anticipation but it didn’t live up to its billing.
At least the fight actually took place. The fight was originally scrapped when Rampage announced his retirement following a verbal bashing from UFC president Dana White, who questioned his priorities. The outburst caused Jackson to bite back and raise issues with his contract. It wasn’t the last time Rampage would have his issues with the UFC, but five years on, he’s happy to be back after the organization resolved his contract issues with Bellator.
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