Now This is Matchmaking: Diego Sanchez vs Thiago Alves Rumored for UFC 89

by Kid Nate on Jul 2, 2008 11:07 PM EDT in News Comment 16 comments

If MMA Weekly is right and a match between Thiago Alves and Diego Sanchez is signed for UFC 89, I will be one happy camper:

While the welterweight division looks towards a championship match in August between current titleholder Georges St. Pierre and Jon Fitch, the weight class will continue to build towards a new top contender as MMAWeekly.com has learned that American Top Team knockout artist Thiago “Pitbull” Alves is slated to return on Oct. 18 to face former “Ultimate Fighter” winner Diego Sanchez.

The bout was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by sources close to the fight. There is currently a verbal agreement with actual bout agreements for the contest expected to be signed in the next few days.

If Alves wins this, he'll clearly be heading for a title shot. If Diego wins he might be on his way to a title shot, or he might have to get past Josh Koscheck in a rematch. Depends on how Koscheck handles Chris Lytle this weekend.

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Comments

I agree

Diego takes this IMO…

Kelvin Hunt

I'm like those boyz on the sidelines...cause I ain't playing...

by Tha Realness on Jul 2, 2008 11:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If this is true, I’ll actually have to root for Sanchez. This could be painful.

by mythbuster on Jul 2, 2008 11:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

“Mr Dana White….where are you…...I’ve been a good boy…..”

Haha. Glad the UFC isn’t give Thiago a title shot after he didn’t make weight against Hughes.

by idefinecagefighter on Jul 3, 2008 12:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree, this is great matchmaking. I would also love to see Hughes vs. Diego.

www.RevolutionMMA.com

by RevolutionMMA on Jul 3, 2008 12:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thiago takes this in my opinion.

by The Legend on Jul 3, 2008 12:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, this would be an awesome fight, I hope they make it happen because Alves hasn’t earned a shot at the title yet. Beating Sanchez however would solidify it

by pr0cs on Jul 3, 2008 9:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Koscheck should be the guy (providing he wins 2 days from now) to fight Thiago Alves for the #1 contender spot.

However, with GSP-Fitch still 5 weeks away, the UFC has to go this direction. GSP should win, but if Fitch does pull it off, Fitch and Kos have put enough doubt out there about whether they’d fight, that Kos is getting put on the back burner.

Bad timing for Kos. If GSP-Fitch had already happenned, or was happenning this weekend, then Kos might’ve gotten the shot against Alves. As it is, he’ll have to wait.

by Hardcharger on Jul 3, 2008 9:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What if Sanchez loses?

If St. Pierre dispatches Koscheck and Fitch, then is there any real expectation that Sanchez will fair any better? If he beats Alves, well sure, there’s reason to believe that Sanchez at least deserves a crack at St. Pierre. However, if Alves defeats Sanchez, he will be definitively beneath three contenders and, by association, a significant distance from a title shot.

It just seems like a loss would force Sanchez to either go to the back of the line in the division, in a manner of speaking, or reconsider the idea of dropping to 155lbs.

I’m thinking this may be some overreaction, but really, how do you promote a guy as a top welterweight when he’s lost to the top three contenders?

by Brett Jones on Jul 3, 2008 10:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good points.

If GSP beats Fitch and then beats Alves (this assumes Alves beats Diego), then the only other contender left is Koscheck, which is a rematch of a fight GSP won. At that point you’d also have to give BJ a shot and see if Fitch can win his way back up the ladder.

by Hardcharger on Jul 3, 2008 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

Penn vs GSP is the fight they want this year anyway.

by Kid Nate on Jul 3, 2008 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am happy to see Penn v. St. Pierre, but I’d prefer for it to take place at the Honolulu Bowl, or whatever they call the stadium at the University of Hawaii.

Putting it on in Vegas is one thing. Montreal would be great as well, but to give Hawaii the first UFC stadium show with Penn against St. Pierre on top…well, maybe I’m optimistic, but I think it would be one of the great events in the history of the sport.

by Brett Jones on Jul 3, 2008 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hope Diego looks like the old one and not the new. I saw him live at 69 and 76 his only losse.At 69 only boxing at 76 only BJJ, he did open up alot more against Luigi, but could’ve finished a lot sooner with G&P, but instead his jackass BJJ coach kept stressin BJJ. His coaches have really held him back, yes I know he beat that Swedish dude a little while back but who cares, I hope Diego smashed Alves. First diuretics then can’t make weight. Either lay off the juice or go to 185 already.

by Josh H. on Jul 3, 2008 1:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great Matchup

I think Thiago will take this one. Then moves on to the winner of Fitch/GSP. Should be a great fight, we’ll get to see Thiago sprawl and Brawl and should get the better of the exchanges. Hopefully weight isnt an issue otherwise id like to see him move up to middleweight.

all you gotta do is...

by imapimp08 on Jul 3, 2008 5:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you mean

the winner of (Fitch/GSP)/Penn, no?

by AJB on Jul 3, 2008 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i guess it depends

Is BJ going to Vacate the Lightweight Belt? As much as I want to see GSP-Penn, I think he should be fighting Huerta if he gets past Florian. The money fight is definately GSP-Penn, i’d agree with you there

all you gotta do is...

by imapimp08 on Jul 4, 2008 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thiago takes this. Diego has a chance if he keeps the pressure on Thiago early. Thiago has admitted to being a slow starter, so if Diego can pressure him early, and keep it on, Thiago may never get a chance to get in the groove and Diego may eek out a decision.

by pud333 on Jul 3, 2008 7:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs