UFC Fight Night 11: Thiago Alves vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka

by MMAmania.com on Jul 10, 2007 10:50 PM EDT in UFC News

Thiago Alves vs Kuniyoshi Hironaka
Kuniyoshi Hironaka (11-3) revealed in a recent message on Kakuto.com that he will face Thiago Alves (11-3) in a welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night 11 on September 20.

This will be the first fight for Alves since he routed tough veteran Tony DeSouza with a second-round knockout (knee) at UFC 66 in December 2006.

Following the win, however, it was discovered that Alves tested positive for a banned substance -- Spironolactone -- and he was subsequently suspended for eight months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).

Spironolactone is a diuretic that Alves ingested to ensure that he made the 170-pound weight limit.

Hironaka is a gritty blackbelt in Judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu who is coming off a unanimous decision win over Forest Petz at UFC Fight Night 9 in April. He boasts a solid resume as a Shooto fighter in Japan prior to his Octagon debut at UFC 64 (a loss to Jon Fitch).

This is a solid match up. Remember, Alves was on the rise before he got popped by the NSAC. And Hironaka is a very difficult opponent to meet after such a long layoff.

UFC Fight Night 11 takes place at the The Palms Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and features another great showdown between lightweights Spencer Fisher and Din Thomas.

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Comments

Would make for a good fight I guess.

by c-war on Jul 10, 2007 10:55 PM EDT reply actions

Mania, a banned-substance is a banned substance, regardless of whether its a diuretic…You throw in your one-sentence blurb as if you resided in his jock and knew full well of his intentions.

by Neo Spyro on Jul 11, 2007 1:06 AM EDT reply actions

Mania, a banned-substance is a banned substance, regardless of whether its a diuretic…You throw in your one-sentence blurb as if you resided in his jock and knew full well of his intentions.

Thats what a diuretic is used for….I dont think he took them for fun.

by c-war on Jul 11, 2007 1:32 AM EDT reply actions

Mania, a banned-substance is a banned substance, regardless of whether its a diuretic…You throw in your one-sentence blurb as if you resided in his jock and knew full well of his intentions.

Read this article:

http://mmamania.com/2007/01/06/thiago-alves-owns-up-to-substance-charge-3/

Smartin up.

by UFCmania on Jul 11, 2007 7:52 AM EDT reply actions

Please tell me this isn’t the main event.

by PW on Jul 11, 2007 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

It looks like the main event is Fisher vs. Thomas to me…

by TRavis on Jul 11, 2007 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

Mania’s linked article is also really soft on Alves. The guy cheated, plain and simple. His claim that he was “unaware it was a non-approved substance” is hardly “taking responsibility for his mistake”. It’s the exact same kind of playing dumb that all athletes do when they’re caught. I agree with PW, I hope this isn’t the main event.

by TD on Jul 11, 2007 10:05 AM EDT reply actions

Mania, a banned-substance is a banned substance, regardless of whether its a diuretic…You throw in your one-sentence blurb as if you resided in his jock and knew full well of his intentions.

Im pretty sure no one was defending him… calm dizown dog.

This whole crad is shaping up pretty well.
PW, its not like you’re paying for it…

by Luppers on Jul 11, 2007 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

Please tell me this isn’t the main event.

I thought Thomas vs. Fisher would be the main event.

by noel on Jul 11, 2007 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

Fitch beat both of these guys !

by CraigMack on Jul 11, 2007 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

Fitch beat both of these guys !

Exactly, how can you say Alves was on a terror before he got busted when he lost to Fitch 2 fights ago, then won his next fight with the aid of banned substances??

by TonyDrip on Jul 11, 2007 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

Exactly, how can you say Alves was on a terror before he got busted when he lost to Fitch 2 fights ago, then won his next fight with the aid of banned substances??

How about “on the rise.” Feel better?

by UFCmania on Jul 11, 2007 12:28 PM EDT reply actions

How about “on the rise.” Feel better?

Sure, if losing his last fight = on the rise. Regardless, I get what you’re saying.

by TonyDrip on Jul 11, 2007 12:46 PM EDT reply actions

Definetly agood fight…UFN 11 is starting to shape up nicely. Looking forward

by Stafo on Jul 11, 2007 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

The article offers nothing but excuses. Perhaps I should “smartin up” and take his word for it. Hey Mania, would you happen to know the name/status of that one particular individual giving you crap (i know its vague, but i recall someone giving u lip at length)? I wanted to fly him down to LA for an on-film whoopass.

by Neo Spyro on Jul 11, 2007 6:09 PM EDT reply actions