Report: Diego Sanchez vs. Thiago Alves moved to UFC 90
July 23, 2008 by Sam Caplan
A planned welterweight fight between Thiago Alves and Diego Sanchez that had been rumored for UFC 89 on October 18 in Birmingham, England, is now expected to take place at UFC 90 on October 25 in Chicago, Illinois.
The news comes from a report by MMAWeekly.com.
While nothing is for certain, it is considered very likely that the winner of the Sanchez vs. Alves fight will earn themselves a shot at the UFC welterweight title.
Alves has won seven consecutive bouts in the UFC since losing to Jon Fitch at UFC Fight Night 5 in 2006. His most recent victory came against future UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes at UFC 85 last month. While Alves failed to make the 170 pound limit by four pounds, he still finished Hughes in impressive fashion after recording a TKO at 1:02 of round 2.
Sanchez, the middleweight winner from the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” has rebounded two win his last two fights after suffering the first losses of his career against Josh Koscheck at UFC 69 and then to Fitch at UFC 76. Sanchez ended his losing streak by submitting David Bielkheden at 4:43 of round 1 at UFC 82 in March.
He returned to the Octagon last month during the live season finale for the seventh season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” defeating Luigi Fioravanti via TKO at 4:07 in the third round. Several pundits stated they consider the Fioravanti fight the best display they have seen of Sanchez’s standup to date.
good move. there is a large mexican population in chicago
What will be the headliner? Not many options left.
I thought Alves already earned a shot. Is this because he did not make weight the last fight? If Matt Hughes would he have won he would not be fighting Sanchez for a shot at the title.
Sweet! This should be a great fight, not too likely to go to a decision. Diego looked awesome in his last fight with Luigi and after Alves took Matt Hughes out this definitely looks like a #1 contenders match. Can’t wait.
#3 yeah its because he didn’t make weight. You don’t earn a title shot by missing weight and if Hughes had beaten Thiago he would not have had to fight Deigo for a Title shot becasue he would still have been fighting Serra next. Hughes will not fight for a title unless someone other than GSP is holding it. Look to see a Hughes Penn rubber match if Penn takes the title early in 09
My bet is Sanchez will be exposed here - then end up fighting fitch again after fitch does the job to GSP.
I don’t think Diego has earned a shot. Beating Bielkheden and Fioravanti shouldn’t put you in a #1 contender bout. It wasn’t too long ago Diego lost 2 straight. I hope Alves can finish him.
Do we know what is gonna headline UFC 90 yet?
sanchez shouldent even be in this fight after getting his butt handed to him by the aka team
man, Diego’s been a favorite of mine for a while now..
this will by far be his toughest fight yet [yes, tougher than Kos, or Fitch]
but, i think he’s back on the right path, and i think he can win this one..
one thing that really scares me, though, is the fact that he’s ALWAYS trying to prove he has a good chin..
I DON’T CARE HOW GOOD YOUR CHIN IS, YOU CAN BE KNOCKED OUT [especially by a guy like Alves]
so, i reallyyyyyyyyy hope he takes this to the ground and shows us some of his beautiful JJ [which i think is some of the best the UFC has to offer right now]
but, i just think that he’ll pull a Frank Shamrock on us.. his ego will give this fight to Alves, if anything.
he’ll want to stand, to prove something, and he might get caught..
I don’t think Diego will do something too dumb in this fight. It is one fight away from reaching his goal which is to be world champion. I see him being really smart and fighting his fight (taking it to the ground). His stand up has improved a lot but I don’t think he’ll try to rely on it in this fight. I see this as being a really great fight and a great performance from both fighters. Good enough to say that either should be fighting for the title. Good luck Diego!!
WOW - they just added Vera vs Jardine to the 89 card. Now that’s an interesting fight.
dang it, zack.. i thought about posting that about any hour ago.. and i was like “you know, i don’t want to do it in this thread.. plus, they’ll probably post it soon anyway”
you beat me to it
[...] Diego v. Thiago Alves moved to 90 OK, here we go again. Another Diego v. Thiago nugget… Five Ounces of Pain | Report: Diego Sanchez vs. Thiago Alves moved to UFC 90 [...]
This should be a great fight, and I have no issue with the winner fighting for the title. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dana and UFC told Alves to make 170 not just 171 or don’t even mention a title shot. It is pretty clear that alves wouldn’t even be in a # 1 contender fight if he made weight against Hughes.
What happens if Diego can’t get the fight to the ground, he couldn’t get Luigi Fioravanti down.
Diego’s only chance of winning this fight is to push Alves’s cardio to the limited, I question Alves’s cardio and heart.
Diego wins in the third VIA TKO if he makes it there.
diegos closest fight yet . Cant wait i think anything can happen in this fight no matter what. SO i think no one knows bitches