Former welterweight number one contender Thiago Alves underwent minor surgery today (March 31) to correct the brain "irregularity" that prompted his withdrawal from the UFC 111 fight card at the Prudential Center last Thursday.
TMZ Sports -- who broke the initial story regarding "Pitbull's" condition, first reported the update earlier today.
The Brazilian was pulled from his March 27 fight against Jon Fitch after failing a pre-fight CAT Scan and immediately sought out additional tests from brain specialists to help determine what action needed to be taken -- if any.
Those tests prompted Alves to have an angiogram at the Hyman Newman institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery located at Roosevelt Hospital in New York.
The outpatient procedure was successful in "separating an artery from a vein in his brain" according to the report and Alves is expected to be cleared to resume training in as little as three weeks.
Great news.
After the NJ Athletic Commission denied "The Pitbull" a license to compete, UFC officials were forced to scramble to replace a very large hole on the UFC 111 fight card. Opponent Jon Fitch offered to move up to middleweight to help widen the chances of the promotion finding a suitable replacement, but in the end it wasn't necessary.
Enter Ben Saunders.
"Killa B" jumped on the opportunity to leave Jake Ellenberger high and dry to throw hands with the former collegiate wrestling standout -- and raise his stock considerably with a possible win over the former top contender.
It wasn't to be. Fitch used his trademark wrestling and ground and pound to earn a unanimous decision victory while Ellenberger was compensated for his efforts despite seeing no action last Saturday night.
In addition, the lightweight scrap between Kurt "Batman" Pellegrino and Fabricio "Morango" Camoes had been promoted to the main card, leaving the Newark event at total of ten bouts.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates on Thiago Alves' health as they becomes available.
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