Issue 074
April 2011
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks – try telling that to Thiago ‘Pitbull’ Alves. Currently relishing a rebirth in the welterweight division with a destructive unanimous decision victory over John Howard at UFC 124, Alves has gained redemption and laid to rest a very troubling 2010.
STATISTICS
Name Thiago ‘Pitbull’ Alves
Age 27
Height 5’ 9”
Category Welterweight
Record 18-7-0
11 (T)KOs (61.11%)
1 Submissions (5.56%)
6 Decisions (33.33%)
Fighting Style Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Fights out of Coconut Creek, Florida
Active since 2001
Originally scheduled to fight Jon Fitch at UFC 111, Alves was taken off the fight card after the devastating discovery of a malformation in his brain from a pre-fight CAT scan. Luckily, Alves was able to have corrective surgery on March 31st, 2010. Despite making a complete recovery, Alves’ form dipped. After failing to make weight for his rematch with Fitch at UFC 117, Alves looked weak and exhausted, while losing to Fitch via a unanimous decision and was threatened with a move to 185lb by UFC president Dana White. However, with the help of nutritional guru Mike Dolce – who some fans might remember from his stints in the IFL or on season seven of The Ultimate Fighter – Alves has been able to change his attitude towards making weight. Alves’ subsequent dominance over Howard echoed impressive earlier performances that made him an overnight sensation, breathing new life into a fractured career.
After entering the UFC in 2005, the Pitbull made a hasty rise up the welterweight ranks. Alves’ deadly Muay Thai skills enabled him to dispatch formidable veterans such as Chris Lytle, Karo Parisyan and even future contender Josh Koscheck, while he knocked out the tenacious UFC Hall of Famer, Matt Hughes at UFC 85. Going on to earn his title shot at UFC 100 against Georges St Pierre, Alves was subject to a clinic of precise and powerful takedowns subsequently losing via unanimous decision. Yet he will enter 2011 with determination and a simple purpose; to claim another title shot. With continued good form, Alves could be fighting for the UFC 170lb belt again soon.
Size and Power
Although not the tallest of welterweights at 5’9”, Alves’ muscle mass is huge. While many stacked opponents give away speed and endurance due to lactic acid build-up, Alves remains a high-intensity compact fighter who throws rapid punching combinations from start to finish. His size enables him to overbear opponents in brutal fashion.
Striking
A member of the American Top Team, Alves develops his striking under the tutelage of Olympic gold medallist Howard Davis Jnr. His recent silky display against John Howard – who is revered for his powerful striking – saw him parry and counter punch with clinical precision. Never one to back down from a tear-up, Alves uses sprawl ‘n’ brawl tactics to force opponents to stand with him.
Leg Kicks
Training in Muay Thai since 14 years of age, Alves has perfectly crafted brutal and powerful leg kicks. By twisting his hips with rapid pace, Alves increases the speed at which his shin hits the opponent, delivering a huge blow. This is also aided by his thunderous thighs – something Josh Koscheck may want to forget after UFC 90, where Alves kicked him so hard he lifted off the ground.
Career Snapshot
2005
Alves makes his UFC debut on October 3rd at Ultimate Fight Night 2. Despite it being his 22nd birthday, Alves loses to fellow UFC newcomer Spencer Fisher.
2008
Faces Karo Parisyan at UFC Fight Night 13. ‘The Pitbull’ scores a knee to the head of Parisyan, knocking down the judo expert before finishing him on the ground with strikes.
2008
Defeats Matt Hughes by flying-knee KO. Alves repeatedly stuffs the takedowns of the two-time Division I All-American wrestler forcing him to stand and trade blows.
2009
Loses welterweight title showdown with Georges St Pierre at UFC 100. GSP shows a dominant display of wrestling, taking Alves down ten times, and betters the striking specialist in the stand-up too.
2010
Battles back after brain surgery only to lose against Jon Fitch while failing to make weight. Employs dietician Mike Dolce to turn his fighting career around and responds with an impressive win against John Howard at UFC 124.
