Thiago Alves: It was not a good idea to fight Jon Fitch at less than full strength

Props: Long Island Examiner

Quoteworthy:

"I tore my PCL, I had a knee injury before my fight with GSP in which I tore my MCL and now 6 weeks before my fight with Fitch I tore my PCL. My doctor advised me not to fight and although I still wanted to fight my manager told me not to because I am not 100%, they felt it was not a good idea to go up against a fighter like Jon Fitch at anything less than full strength. I am going to take this time off to heal and get better, hopefully I will be back by January 31st. It's not as bad as it could have been but it's not worth the risk of doing any further damage. You have no idea how bad I wanted this fight! When I come back I am going to better than ever, the next time I step inside the octagon I am going to make a huge impression. Everything happens for a reason and I have no complaints."

Former number one welterweight contender Thiago Alves talks about the difficult decision to pull out of his UFC 107 bout against Jon Fitch on Dec. 12 after suffering a knee injury while training. "The Pitbull" is trying to get back in line and work his way up the welterweight ladder for another crack at current champion Georges St. Pierre, who bested the Brazilian at UFC 100 back on July 11. With Fitch now matched up against Mike Pierce, who will be the new opponent for Alves when he returns in 2010? Marcus Davis, Dan Hardy, Mike Swick … what showdown do you want to see?