UFC: 111 This Saturday Night
The Mixed Martial Arts world received shocking news on Thursday when it was revealed that Thiago Alves would not compete at UFC: 111. Originally scheduled to meet Jon Fitch this Saturday night, Alves was forced to withdraw from the match after he failed a pre-fight CAT scan. The scans revealed an irregularity in the 26-year old’s brain. The extent of the irregularity is unknown, as well as whether or not it was a pre-existing condition or something that has developed over his career. The Brazilian has already scheduled a visit with a brain specialist to determine the significance of what the CAT scan revealed.
President Dana White said on Thursday morning, just before the NCAA March Madness Odds Sweet 16 play got underway, that if the revelations were accurate that the situation could be career ending. Alves was looking for revenge at UFC: 111, after he was knocked out by Fitch the first time these fighters met, as well as another shot at the UFC welterweight title in what was to be a number one contender bout. The last time the 26-year old, was in the octagon, he fell to welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre in a loss that ended a seven-match win streak.
White told the media before Thursday’s March Madness predictions that Alves has been replaced by Ben Saunders, who was originally scheduled to fight Jake Ellenberger at UFC: 111. Ellenberger has been dropped from the card altogether, while the lightweight bout between Kurt “Batman” Pellegrino and Fabricio Camoes will now be featured on the event’s main card.
It was also revealed on Thursday that light-heavyweight fighter Brandon Vera will need surgery to repair a dislocated cheekbone that he suffered in his book per head UFC on Versus contest with Jon Jones. The fight didn’t even last the first round, as Jones repeatedly took it to an overmatched Vera, knocking him down two times before delivering a direct elbow to the face that sent him to his knees at which time referee Herb Dean stepping in and ended the fight. Vera’s manager, Matt Stansell told reporters that the elbow broke his cheekbone in three places, and is preventing him from seeing out of his right eye, while pushing the actually eyeball forward. The injury is projected to keep Vera out for a minimum of four-to-six months.
In other UFC news, welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre told Sherdog.com in a recent interview that he is not underestimating his latest opponent. Although many observers have been quick to rule challenger Dan Hardy unworthy of his status as number one contender, St. Pierre feels otherwise, calling Hardy, “a legitimate threat”, noting that a fight can end in an instance, and all it takes is one punch. While it is true that the champion has dominated what has traditionally been one of the most competitive weight divisions, he will not underestimate a striker that can steal a win with one punch, the way a team can steal a game with a last second shot in March Madness betting.
Looking ahead to this weekend, Strikeforce – Challengers 7 will happen on Friday in Fresno, CA, while UFC: 111 goes this Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
