UFC 130: Thiago Alves Talks Weight Cutting, Ben Askren, Rick Story

[WrestlingSmarks News]

UFC welterweight Thiago Alves (18-7) is no stranger to MMA fans. Besides being a mainstay in the top 5 at 170, he's unfortunately well-known for his issues with making weight for his fights. Alves has been making the rounds doing interviews and has been open and honest about his weight-cutting issues, which he believes are a thing of the past due to the help of Mike Dolce. He also discusses recent comments by Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren in regards to his weight issues, and his UFC 130 opponent Rick Story.

First up, the crazy weight issues and his lack of understanding in regards to shedding the pounds via MMA Mania:

I've been using the Dolce Diet since August of last year, and I feel amazing. My energy levels are through the roof, and I'm just cruising through training camp. Before it was a struggle every fight.


Before, like for the GSP fight and the Jon Fitch fight, I used to pass out. I'd start passing out on Wednesday -- Friday are the weigh-ins, you know -- and I had to just drag myself as much I can just to make weight.

Now I'm actually healthy. I'm eating before. I ate four times on Thursday before the weigh-ins.

I was talking to Dolce, I wanted to be competing and at the top of the weight class, (but wasn't able to at the top of) my ability because I was so debilitated before the fight, yet I still (was able to) do what I do. Now that I'm a healthy Thiago Alves, I just can't wait to see the results. I can't wait to step in there and see what's going to happen.



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Personally, I find this statement a bit curious, considering the camp he trains with (American Top Team) is very well-known for helping gigantic guys like Gleison Tibau and Hector Lombard cut weight efficiently. Either way though, it's good that Alves was able to figure it out eventually. He also clarified what his walk-around weight is these days:

He was also a guest on Fight Corner Radio recently (transcribed by fiveknuckles):

"Before I use to walk around between 200 to 210," Alves said. "The highest I got was 212, but now I'm walking around between 195 and 200."

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The next topic of discussion was Ben Askren. Around two weeks ago, Askren was asked about the weight issues of guys like Thiago and Anthony Johnson. And in typical Askren fashion, he had a pretty blunt response. So what does Alves think of Mr. Askren and his UFC aspirations?

"I think he'll get punished," Alves said. "I think he'll get demolished. I mean he's fighting some good guys and everything, but he never ever really fought a good fighter, ya know, a tough guy with a little bit of a wrestling background. Guys who know how to sprawl. He never fought a tough guy like that. I think if he thinks he is just gonna go to the UFC and then run through people like he's doing in Bellator, I think he's mistaken big time. He's trying to promote himself, he's gotta come back to reality a little bit.

"I truly believe all the guys fighting at the top of the weight class can just run through Ben Askren, no problem."

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Finally, he talks about his UFC 131 opponent Rick Story:

"I saw he's a pretty tough kid," Alves said. "Five wins in a row in the UFC, which is pretty impressive. Strong kid, good wrestler who got good standup. But I know I can outclass him everywhere in the game. I've been watching all his fights and we came up with a great strategy. He's a very aggressive fighter so I know this is not going to go the distance, and I know I'm gonna finish by knockout or I'm gonna submit him.

"I know it's gonna be a war. Any fight at this level and this weight class is gonna be a war. There is no easy fight. I never take nobody easily or anything like that, so I'm prepared for a war. But I know his fighting style matches up perfectly with mine and I know it's gonna be a knockout. it's gonna be an early night."

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