Thiago Alves returns at UFC on FOX 11, meets Seth Baczynski in Orlando
For the first time in more than two years, Thiago Alves will return to the octagon.
Alves (19-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC) has been booked for a welterweight fight against Seth Baczynski (19-10 MMA, 5-3 MMA) at UFC on FOX 11. UFC officials announced the new booking on Thursday.
UFC on FOX 11 is set for April 19 at Amway Center in Orlando. It will be the UFC’s first visit to the city. The main card will air on FOX following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.
Alves has not fought since a March 2012 loss to Martin Kampmann in the main event of UFC on FX 2 in Australia. In that fight, Alves dominated the first 10 minutes. But then he shot for a takedown in the last minute of the fight, got caught in a guillotine choke and was forced to tap. Since then, it’s been a battle of injuries for the Florida-based Brazilian.
He was expected to return at UFC 149 in July 2012, but was forced off the card with an injury. After more than a year off, he was set to come back at UFC Fight Night 26 this past August in Boston. But he had to pull out of that fight with another injury.
Before his rash of injuries, Alves, who fought Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title at UFC 100, had lost four of his past six fights, including the title fight setback to GSP. To get to that title shot, Alves won six straight, including victories over Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck. Now the 30-year-old American Top Team product will hope he can finally stay healthy to get back on track.
Baczynski will be looking to stay on track after a decision win over Neil Magny in November at UFC Fight Night 31. Prior to that, the “TUF 11″ product had back-to-back losses to Brian Melancon and Mike Pierce to snap a six-fight winning streak, four of which came in his second stint in the UFC.
With the addition, the latest UFC on FOX 11 card now includes:
Travis Browne vs. Fabricio Werdum
Liz Carmouche vs. Miesha Tate
Edson Barboza vs. Donald Cerrone
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Pat Healy vs. Jorge Masvidal
Yoel Romero vs. Brad Tavares
Caio Magalhaes vs. Josh Samman
Thiago Alves vs. Seth Baczynski
