Thiago Alves owns up to substance charge

UFC welterweight Thiago Alves (10-3) has admitted to the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) that he ingested a banned diuretic prior to his UFC 66 fight with Tony DeSouza (10-3), according the FightNetwork.com.

Here's a snip from NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer in the article:

"Alves called me yesterday afternoon. To his credit, Alves admitted he'd taken the diuretic to lose a couple of pounds before the weigh-in, unaware it was a non-approved substance."

After his technical knockout victory over DeSouza on December 30, Alves was required to submit a random urine sample, which turned up dirty (for more background click here).

While I don't condone the act, I certainly give Alves credit for taking responsibility for his mistake. In most cases, athletes tend to point fingers or play totally dumb when it comes to getting busted for banned substances.

And, even though spironolactone isn't a performance enhancer like steroids, it's still illegal.

Alves looked dynamite in his dominant win over the veteran DeSouza. He was slated to battle Josh Burkman at UFC Fight Night 8 on January 25.

It's pretty much a lock that he won't be allowed to participate in that match -- or any for that matter in the next few months.

In fact, MMAWeekly.com is reporting that Burkman will fight Chad Reiner (12-1) instead of Alves at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Alves is most likely facing a suspension as a result of his positive test.

Stay tuned.