Jon Fitch: If I Stop Thiago Alves, I'm Next for GSP: "If I stop [Thiago Alves], I don't see how...

Jon Fitch: If I Stop Thiago Alves, I'm Next for GSP:

"If I stop [Thiago Alves], I don't see how they could deny me a shot at GSP. At that point I would have stopped someone twice who GSP couldn't finish in five rounds, so I think that's a very strong argument for me to get a title shot. We're both fighting for another crack at GSP, so we both have something big that we want."

"Mentally, Alves's matured a great deal in that time period. He was pretty young when we fought.... His wrestling defense is much better and he's harder to take down. He's stronger and I think he's matured physically. Maybe he's a little bit slower. We'll see ... I'm a much better athlete than I was a couple years ago. I'm a much improved fighter from when I first fought, and so is he."

HT: mmafighting.com (via Inside MMA)
UFC 111: St-Pierre vs. Hardy coverage [vs. Thiago Alves]

about 2 years ago Nick Thomas 35 comments 0 recs |

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Comments

No wonder Georges wants to try for the Olympics

If all they have for him are rematches of fights he thoroughly dominated why not go for a new challenge?

"Talk all the shit you want now!

by Earl Montclair on Jan 23, 2010 5:36 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

you know Anderson Silva is available

by kanodogg on Jan 23, 2010 6:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Tired of the Fitch hating

I for one have to say that I am sick of all the fitch hating on this site as well as others. The kid is a Fu@@ing beast. All he does is win and all people do is sh!t on him. Give me a break. I am always pumped when fitch fights. He may not knock people out. But how can you not respect what a workhorse this dude is? It’s ridiculous. And yes he took a beating for gsp but god damn it he took a beating and kept pushing. He beats alves he deserves gsp again no matter how lopsided the last fight was. The problem with the ufc is that we think because it’s a “new” opponent, ala hardy, were more excited by it. But come, hardy has done NOTHING to deserve a title shot, but he gets it because he’s new and interesting. Respect fitch he’s an animal and a good fighter. Stop hating.

by BoomGoesTheDynamite! on Jan 23, 2010 10:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

You’re not replying to anyone who’s hating, mate.

by asa on Jan 24, 2010 5:49 PM EST up reply actions

I think the winner of Koscheck/Daley is next for GSP and if he dominates Hardy and the winner of Daley/Kos they will really press him to take on Silva.

Jon Fitch’s problem is still not finishing people. He has fought 3 times since GSP and all 3 have gone to decision. If he stops Alves he will still have to face at least 1 more person but the good news if GSP vacates to try for the Olympics, Fitch stands a realistic chance of winning the belt which he doesnt have now.

by bigdmmafan on Jan 23, 2010 5:40 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, I think Fitch would have to just dominate and destroy Thiago Alves to even have a shot at it, and that shit is unlikely:) Not to mention that Dana might welcome the opportunity to put Kos and Fitch on the horn of the teammates dilemma if they both win. Which will either make for an uncomfortable standoff, or an uncomfortable and weird fight to watch.

by Kwisatz Haderach on Jan 23, 2010 5:49 PM EST up reply actions

Yup. Fitch doesn’t seem to have improved much since the GSP fight. There is no reason to believe he will win this time. Kos/Daley would at least offer a new challenge. Its been a long time since the Kos/GSP fight and Kos has clearly gotten a lot better

by HighNoon on Jan 23, 2010 6:57 PM EST up reply actions

Alves by KO.

Keep firing Assholes!

Mind numbing, tedious and ultimately self defeating.

by Ubernoober on Jan 23, 2010 5:51 PM EST reply actions

I hope

Nothing against Fitch but his game hasn’t changed one but since GSP dominated him only 17 months ago. What’s the point?

by ufc4 on Jan 23, 2010 6:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Anyone notice he does not even mention the pos of Hardy winning? It is not a shot at the title, it is a shot at GSP.

by Lynchman on Jan 23, 2010 5:59 PM EST reply actions

That last fight with GSP went well so maybe he wants death this time.

2010 Seahawks Goals: Master the forward pass, sack the QB, and knock Arizona off their perch.

by SSreporters on Jan 23, 2010 6:24 PM EST reply actions

Fitch won't finish Alves

He got beat up a bit on the feet with Pierce. I see Alves giving him lots of trouble!!!

by Lunchbox15 on Jan 23, 2010 6:26 PM EST reply actions

WAR PITBULL

[ His wrestling defense is much better and he’s harder to take down]
So, hes trying to say he wants to take Alves down? wow, shocking. I really want Alves to win.
I also want Semtex to win vs Kos, Pitbull vs Semtex? Are you kidding me???
Serious Fireworks here
Alves by flying knee

by kchav21 on Jan 23, 2010 6:39 PM EST reply actions

Daley and alves lose and that fight still happens… and most likely will

by kanodogg on Jan 23, 2010 6:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Yeah... No.

1) John Fitch is BORING and hasn’t finished a fight since mid-2007 (3 YEARS!)

2) GSP isn’t every exciting either.

3) GSP already manhandled Fitch.

4) GSP is way better now then when he fought Fitch.

I wouldn’t buy that. Hell, I wouldn’t even bother streaming that fight. Until Jon Fitch goes on a 2-3 fight finishing streak, stick his ass on the prelims.

by virginiatech on Jan 23, 2010 6:40 PM EST reply actions

He already is on a 3 fight win streak, so by your criteria he deserves to be on the main card.

Keep firing Assholes!

Mind numbing, tedious and ultimately self defeating.

by Ubernoober on Jan 23, 2010 6:53 PM EST up reply actions

He said a 3 fight finishing streak. Not win streak.

by ChiCubs23 on Jan 23, 2010 7:50 PM EST up reply actions

If he’s allowed to have an incoherent thought process/converstaion style so should I.

Keep firing Assholes!

Mind numbing, tedious and ultimately self defeating.

by Ubernoober on Jan 23, 2010 7:54 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

"GSP isn’t every exciting either."

Do kittens do anything for you?

2010 Seahawks Goals: Master the forward pass, sack the QB, and knock Arizona off their perch.

by SSreporters on Jan 23, 2010 8:39 PM EST up reply actions

Hes right. GSP definately has put on some snoozers recently. He may be the best P4P fighter in the world but that doesnt mean hes an exciting fighter. As much as i could admire his greatness, that fight with Thiago Alves bored me.

by Rabbit915 on Jan 24, 2010 2:00 AM EST up reply actions

You, Sir, is a crazy, crazy man.

by Sventsh on Jan 24, 2010 7:00 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

(And I am obviously not too good with English grammar)

by Sventsh on Jan 24, 2010 7:01 AM EST up reply actions

I’m looking forward to this card. I’d double money down on Alves though. He’s gonna clean Fitch’s clock.

But, if Fitch destroys Alves, I say give him GSP. I seriously doubt that’s going to happen though. Fitch was way bigger than Alves back then, now it’s completely reversed. No more laying on him to keep him down. Can’t wait for Alves vs Daley though.

by Dooda on Jan 23, 2010 7:19 PM EST reply actions

I know, I wish we were seeing Alves vs Daley now, but its cause AKA fighters won't fight each other that we are seeing Kos vs Daley.

by J_Maddux on Jan 23, 2010 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

Heeeeerrreeee's JONNY!

"Hello, Japan"

by rembrandt on Jan 23, 2010 7:32 PM EST reply actions

How can Fitch use that math? First Alves was a lot smaller way back and he’s bilked up tremendously that he could be a middleweight. His takedown defense has improved, Koscheck couldn’t even take him down. I can’t see Fitch taking this one now. First fight with GSP was a “in the projects type beatdown.” there is nothing in his last fights that says the second will be different.

by The Bronzeville Bully on Jan 23, 2010 9:17 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I would be sweet if Fitch is a fav on the betting odds. I’ll be puttina dump truck load on alves if its a good + line.

by moonlapse88 on Jan 23, 2010 9:45 PM EST reply actions

you know this talk of fitch has me thinking about Jake shields and his desire to come to the ufc… we could see shields vs fitch… could they contain all that boringness in the octagon..

by kanodogg on Jan 23, 2010 10:27 PM EST via mobile reply actions

12 takedowns in a sea of yawn.

by Dooda on Jan 24, 2010 12:54 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I don't know why Fitch is even bringing up finishing Alves, I mean when is the last time he finished anyone? oh yeah 3 years ago.

by J_Maddux on Jan 23, 2010 11:10 PM EST reply actions

Odds are not good in a 3 round fight if GSP didn’t do it in 5

by bigweeze on Jan 24, 2010 12:37 AM EST up reply actions

Why so he can get decimated again? Sorry I dont want to see that happen to him. As long as GSP is holding the belt he should be content being a gatekeeper.

"If your going to come on then come on!" - Harold Howard

by Bandaka on Jan 24, 2010 1:23 AM EST reply actions

He’s more of a contender eliminator than a gatekeeper.

by grein on Jan 24, 2010 1:33 AM EST up reply actions

cant wait for this but anyone know if i got fight club do only i get into weighins or can my membership get my friend in too

by ldglass on Jan 24, 2010 5:08 AM EST reply actions

I cannot wait for this fight. So amped for this. But how is he gonna finish? Holding Alves down is a full-time job that kept GSP busy. Man this is gonna be good.

by asa on Jan 24, 2010 5:53 PM EST reply actions