After a seven fight win streak, Thiago Alves challenged Georges St-Pierre for the UFC welterweight title in 2009. Alves lost a five round decision, but looking back believes it might have been the best thing for him:
I wasn’t ready for the title at that time, Alves said. I’m glad I didn’t get it. Maybe I wouldn’t even be alive if I had become champion at that time because I was in such a wrong way.
It’s pretty crazy when you consider Alves has already fought 17 times for the UFC, just sat out 25 months — and is still just 30 years old.
Now that his body is cooperating again, Alves is confident big things lie ahead.
I’ve been pushing my limit constantly since the surgeries to see how my body holds up and it’s been great, Alves said.
The welterweight division has always been competitive. There are so many guys at this weight. It doesn’t mean the division is better now, though. The biggest threat has always been [St-Pierre] because he’s such a smart fighter. I don’t see other guys doing that. The guys you see in this division right now, once they get hit a few times they are going to go after you. The division is wide open. I see a big opening.
