Class is in session: Thiago Alves on Diego Sanchez UFC 90 fight

Hard fight to call, could go either way, alves could get the knockout or diego could get the submission. My advice to diego is to take him down and not stand there and trade because the night will end with a knockout.

by Toad on Sep 3, 2008 10:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Diego is used to being the bigger stronger more aggressive fighter in his fights, in his two losses, he was not the bigger stronger or more aggressive fighter and he lost. To beat Alves he will have to use his aggressive side to the max because he is not bigger or stronger than Alves. Because of that, I see him losing this fight.

by getrawbc on Sep 3, 2008 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If it goes to the ground it should be advantage Diego, GnP! If it stays standing, advantage Thiago! But will Thiago make weight? On UFC.com theres a press conference video with Diego/Thiago were Thiago says hes 200lbs right now! And how much will the cut affect him?

by JV on Sep 3, 2008 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think I saw that one. Isn’t that the one where Dana gave Thiago a look after he said that? Kind of a You better make weight or you’re getting the “Do you want to be a fighter” speech look.

by Shadyone33 on Sep 3, 2008 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea I think thats it Shadyone33.

by JV on Sep 3, 2008 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn’t it crazy that 3 years ago Diego was the hottest thing to come off TUF and was destined to fight GSP. I know he’s still a top 10 fighter but just seems like he’s way in over his head once he tries to fight a top 5 fighter. I see Alves dominating him in a dominating fashion.

by Open24hrz on Sep 3, 2008 10:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Open24hrz – Hard to say. We will know soon enough. Be interesting to see how Diego has improved in the counter-striking department. That could work to his advantage with Alves.

by MMACrossfire on Sep 3, 2008 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I couldn’t agree more. I think this will be Diego’s toughest fight. He has fought some big names but this one has ko written all over it. I’m not big fan of Diego but I respect his skills but I think Alves is the best WW after GSP in mma today. I think Alves can even KO Penn. My guess Diego will loose and should listen to some of you guys and drop to 155 where he could dominate that division for quite some time.

by TKO on Sep 3, 2008 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Diego’s only two losses are a split decision to Fitch and a loss to Kos while Diego was so sick he nearly retired. Nobody short of GSP will ever dominate Diego, and maybe not even him. Certainly not this tubby poser. Diego will take Alves to the ground and pound out a solid 30-27 UD win.

by PW on Sep 3, 2008 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i like diego to win this as well. nobody has ever “dominated” him and he has improved vastly on all aspects of his game. MMACROSSFIRE brings up a good point on diego’s counterstriking. he can use that to keep it even on the feet and to go for takedowns. i think its gonna be a war. i am a diego fan.

by b.w. on Sep 3, 2008 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

IMO this will be a really good fight that I am pumped to see this fight it’s going to be war and I don’t see quick flash finish, I think at the end Thiago’s arm will be raised. Thiago is big WW and Diego will not be able to bully him. Either way I think the winner of this should be guaranteed a title shot.

by TKO on Sep 3, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see a knee to the head in the clinch while Diego is trying to find a way to take Alves down and Alves finishing of a rocked Diego with som ground & pund.

And perhaps a little premature referee stoppage resulting in a dissappinted Diego shaking his head and shouting “i wasnt out” to the referee.

But what Do i know, right? :)

by cmon_chokehim on Sep 4, 2008 5:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn’t it crazy that 3 years ago Diego was the hottest thing to come off TUF and was destined to fight GSP. I know he’s still a top 10 fighter but just seems like he’s way in over his head once he tries to fight a top 5 fighter. I see Alves dominating him in a dominating fashion. (And im a supporter of Diego)

by Open24hrz on Sep 3, 2008 10:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am looking forward to this one. Diego never backs out of fighting anyone no matter who they are. I hope hope he wins this one. Alves could learn something from his discipline, commitment and dedicaton as far as the sport is concerned.

by Ade on Sep 3, 2008 10:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Diego is in BIG trouble with Alves.. I like Diego.. but he should drop if he can to 155..cuz in a few he’ll be just like Karo.. a gate keeper for he 170’s.

by PhilQNY on Sep 3, 2008 10:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

PhilQNY – I’m giving this one to Sanchez. I think we’ll be surprised.

by MMACrossfire on Sep 3, 2008 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We’ll see.. I jsut feel if Diego gets one of Alves knee to the dome.. it’s nite nite.. and he’ll wake up in New Mexico somewhere.

Diego is not a Big WW at all.. even with his added weight lifting.. Thiago is a beast.. a HUGE WW.. who just needs to come in on weight. It’s should be a goood fight.. but Diego’s styles plays more into the hands of Alves..then Alves’s does his.

by PhilQNY on Sep 3, 2008 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Diego was overhyped from the beginning… he has some good skills and heart but he is gonna want to stand and trade with Alves. It will be his downfall… literally. Alves KO RD2.

by DJ on Sep 3, 2008 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ANyone seen odds to this fight yet?

by ViolentMike on Sep 3, 2008 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right now Diego weighs abouDiego walks around at about 177 lbs, Alves walks around at 200 lbs. Diego is in Big TROUBLE!!!

Alves is going to be the 1st to shatter that mexican Jaw!

by john on Sep 3, 2008 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree. Alves has not impressed me with his ground game/submissions. Busting up an out of shape Karo or an old Hughes is not enough evidence. Alves has a chance if Diego decides to be a “tough guy” and trade brazenly with Alves. I see Diego sinking in his hooks and submitting Alves.

I do agree that Diego is a small 170 and should drop down to 155. He would wreak havoc at that weight class.

by OJR on Sep 3, 2008 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would like to see some time in the future..if Diego can and wants to make it to 155.. a rematch betwwen him and Kenny Florian.. their first fight at the TUF finale was at 185.. to weight classes above Kenny’s.. I think it would be intresting to see them bang at 155.. and Serra.. Where you @ Serra.. my dude.. cut out at that pasta.. fight @ 155.

by PhilQNY on Sep 3, 2008 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn’t he hosting a UFC88 viewing party somewhere in NY? I think I saw it on CagePotato. Maybe you can go and ask him yourself Phil. I mean, I think it’s a good idea (IMO Karo should do the same).

Oh, and if you go, please tell him that Canada says Hi. ;)

by Canucklehead on Sep 3, 2008 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is a great matchup if we see the pre-Kos/Fitch version of Diego.

by Luppers on Sep 3, 2008 10:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i see alves taking this, i think he’s to strong for diego and his sprawl is to good. i think alves by 2nd round tko or decision

by hughes on Sep 3, 2008 11:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

diego couldn’t take fioranvanti down, so he will not be able to take thiago down.. and on the feet he will get owned..

war thiago!

by shamo84 on Sep 3, 2008 11:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The reason Diego couldn’t take down Luigi is because that’s all Luigi was trying to accomplish…..Take a close look at that fight, Luigi wasn’t trying to win the fight….he was trying to avoid the takedown, period. As soon as Diego recognized this, he knocked Luigi out. Having said that, Alves is a huge step up from Luigi. I’m looking forward to seeing what Alves does when he squarely connects with Diego’s face, and Diego continues to move forward. I challenge anyone to point out a fight where Sanchez has ever been wobbled or woozy…..It’s never happened. I know there’s a first time for everything, and this is Diego’s toughest challenge yet, but don’t be too quick to dismiss Diego in this fight. I’ll be very interested to see what the betting line is, has anyone seen the number yet?

by kg on Sep 3, 2008 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Karo had never been KO’d until he faced Thiago either…

by ViolentMike on Sep 3, 2008 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

karo had been rocked by serra pretty bad though. KG. you made a good point about the diego/luigi fight. luigi didnt fight to win and to stuff diegos takedowns. diego koed him while luigi went the distance with fitch. thiago can ko diego with the knee if sanchez stands around like an old man and lets him.

by b.w. on Sep 3, 2008 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Alves size can be a positive or a negative…however, the relentlessness of Sanchez will be there regardless…Sanchez has a good chin and could definitely wear Alves down…I hope Dirty pulls it off.

by Kelvin on Sep 3, 2008 11:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Alves is good and will probly Sanchez.

by JJ on Sep 3, 2008 11:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

specer fisher tapped thiago. that should put this fight in perspective. thiago is an idiot if he actually does make weight he’ll get tapped.

by rob on Sep 3, 2008 12:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The scary thing is that Thiago got completely owned by Jon Fitch…

Diego was also beaten fairly convincingly by Fitch…

GSP totally dominated Jon Fitch when they fought…

The prospects dont look great for either Diego or Alves in a future title bout with the winner of GSP/Penn

by oskarbravo on Sep 3, 2008 12:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A split decision win is not convincing.

by PW on Sep 3, 2008 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah but i dont think theres very many people that thought diego won that fight

by brendan on Sep 3, 2008 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thiago is just too confident, IMO. Its almost like he is looking past Diego and thats a big mistake. He aint gonna KO Diego. Its not gonna happen.

He better be prepared for a war. I’ll take Diego’s heart and his reletness pace in this fight. He will wear Thiago down and will eventually submit him or even KO Thiago himself.

by PP on Sep 3, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Diego by a hard fought UD.

by WB on Sep 3, 2008 1:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Here is my thought… Alves is like James Irvin.. He got beat by well rounded fighters not too long ago. He has made a come back by knocking people out. Once Irvin faced another Well rounded fighter in Silva he got punished. Alves is now facing a well rounded fighter in Diego and he too will lose…Trust me.. Don’t let the knockouts be a smoke screen to him as a well rounded fighter..just look at Houston Alexander

by BAHIANO on Sep 3, 2008 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thiagos much more well rounded then the sandman, but i agree with what youre saying. good post.

by medecine balls on Sep 3, 2008 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nicely put BAHIANO… I agree

by PP on Sep 3, 2008 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Alves ha better make weight or else go up to Mwt.he is prabably 1 of the biggest if he isn’t already the biggest Wwts in the UFC right now. i pretty sure i heard tht GSP walks around at 195. it is common knowledge that Matt Hughes walks around at 185 and he looked small compared to these 2. but the loser of a fight always looks smaller.

by the Levi on Sep 3, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why does everyone keep saying Alves is a huge WW ?? He’s 5’9 and Diego is 5’11. Thiago is just real bulky. Diego 30-27 UD no problem. Is everyone forgetting Alves got subbed by Spencer “lightweight” Fisher ?? Deigo has never been finished, Alves has been owned and finished. He will either be owned or finished come UFC 90.

by Balls on Sep 3, 2008 6:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Did anyone read the article on Tatame.com ?? Someone needs to bring this guy back down to earth. Already talking about how he’s gonna KO GSP ?? After Sanchez lays a beating on him they should feed him to Anthony Johnson or mabey Kos. This guy is a pretender not a contender.

by Balls on Sep 3, 2008 7:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this will be fight of the year, and diego is going to win it by decision!!!

by itsT.O.baby!!! on Sep 3, 2008 9:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Alves needs to take this fight very seriously, Sanchez is no joke. This kid is tough as nails. His heart is huge, his cardio is outstanding, his ground game is great, his striking has improved, he can take a punch and he gotten stronger plus bigger.

I think Sanchez can take it but anything can happen in MMA.

by mmaroots:) on Sep 4, 2008 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

very well put, i couldn’t agree more. I know Alves is a badass, but Diego is too well rounded. Diego is one of the toughest dudes in MMA, bar none. This is why I’m very curious as to what the odds look like for this fight. Thiago’s knockout reputation should create a very nice number for Diego at the sportsbook. Has anyone seen the odds for this fight?

by kg on Sep 4, 2008 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If i heard correctly, it sounds like Thiago is fighting out of the American Top Team gym in Florida. First off, let me be clear, I’m not a fighter, so I wouldn’t dream of talking shit about the dude’s that come out of American Top Team. These guys wouldn’t be in the UFC if they weren’t studs, so I don’t want to leave the impression that American Top Team totally sucks…..but it seems like the guys from this gym lose a helluva lot more fights than they win……at least in terms of UFC bouts that are actually televised. The guys from Quest, and the dudes from Jackson’s camp in Albequerque, and Randy’s gym in Vegas, and the AKA guys out of San Jose seem to be much more successful. Am i way off base here?

by kg on Sep 4, 2008 5:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs