Alves aims for quick return, after ‘brain irregularity’ forces withdrawal from UFC 111

 “Were fighters so we don’t have much going on inside our head anyways but I feel healthy – I’ve never been knocked out or anything.”

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Alves’ coach ATT founder Ricardo Liborio speaking with Tatame.com:

We’re waiting for the analyses from the commission, that is studying the case. He’s super well trained, he wanted this fight for a long time. He’s in a great shape, but it happens..

According to the coach, Alves is hungry for the fight and, in case he’s free to fight, the rematch with Fitch can happen real soon, but not at this Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night. We heard about this possibility, but it looks like it won’t happen. He’s pissed off, he really wanted to fight now. After this fight, we’ll see IF we can match this fight to the next UFC, in Abu Dhabi (UFC 112). They are the two of the best welterweight fighters and this fight would determinate who’s the next in line for the title.

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Alves’ agent, Malki Kawa of First Round Management speaking withMMAFighting.com:

“You have to assume when there’s a problem with any fighter — with their brain, with their spine or anything to that effect. If there’s a problem, anything can be career-ending, But at this point, I’m not going to speculate, I’m not going to say that’s the case. We don’t think so. We don’t think that’s what’s going on and I don’t think it’s fair for anyone to say that until we actually have results back from the specialist to tell us exactly what’s going on.”

“There hasn’t been anything to say there’s a condition in his brain. There’s just something they see in the [test] and they don’t know what it is and they just want to have him get it checked out. And they don’t want to clear him for a fight and it could be something serious. We’re not panicking at this point and we don’t want anyone to panic either, but we’ll see what happens.”

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Malki Kawa speaking with MMAJunkie.com:

“Thiago is very disappointed. But he remains in good spirits and hopes to get back in the cage very quickly.”

Kawa said there was no bleeding on the brain, and that Alves did not appear to be in immediate danger and that the finding did not appear to indicate any serious medical concern. Kawa indicated that the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board was understandably erring on the side of caution, and there just wasn’t enough time to for Alves to be cleared by the necessary specialists in time for a fight this Saturday.

“Thiago will still be at his Q&A on Friday, and hopefully he’ll be able to answer all the questions then, For now, Thiago just wants to apologize to all of his fans and let them know that he’s fine and will be fighting again very soon.

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Thiago Alves on twitter:

1. To all my fans.. I’m sorry for this. The boxing commission can’t clear me for sat. But once I see a specialist and he clear me ill be back!
2. Please guys positive energy positives thoughts. Say a prayer for me! Ill be back soon me Ufc and my camp are working on it! Osu!
3. Tonite we will know what to do better after meeting with the doctors. Thank u everyone for all the support guys. Ill keep everyone posted!