Thiago Alves Plans To Finish Carlos Condit, Fight For Title

Not too long ago, in 2009, Thiago “Pitbull” Alves was challenging Georges St. Pierre for the welterweight title at UFC 100, one of the biggest fight cards in the history of the sport, after racking up an impressive seven-fight winning streak. But then multiple loses and a string of injuries and surgeries put the Brazilian out of action for over two years between 2012 and 2014, and fans seemed to forget about the dangerous knockout artist.

However, Alves is now back and going through a career resurgence of sorts that has seen him score a strong decision win over Seth Baczynski in his return last April, and most recently a devastating second round TKO victory of Jordan Mein at January’s UFC 183.

Now, “Pitbull” is set for a huge fight as he takes on No.4-ranked Carlos Condit, who is returning from a long layoff due to injury at tonight’s (May 30, 2015) UFC Fight Night 67. A win over a top caliber opponent like Condit would put Alves in contention for a possible title shot or at least another big name fight, and the Brazilian is looking to take full advantage of this.

Speaking at a recent media scrum (via MMAMania), Alves ensured fans and reporters that he’s looking for the finish, and that the bout will not go to decision, and if it does, he’s going to give Condit the beating of a lifetime:

“I’m going to knock him out or submit him. It’s not going to a decision. If it goes to a decision he’s getting the beating of his life,” said Alves.

A title shot is obviously the ultimate goal for Alves, but that could cause some problems given that current champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler trains at American Top Team (ATT) alongside Alves. This has been seen a lot within mixed martial arts (MMA), with teammates not wanting to fight each other, most notably former champion St. Pierre and his teammate top contender Rory MacDonald saying that they would never fight each other.

However, that doesn’t seem to be a problem for Alves, simply saying that he would fight Lawler, and that the belt will stay at ATT:

“The belt’s gonna stay at ATT,” he told reporters.

Can the “Pitbull” get passed Condit and earn his second UFC title shot nearly six years removed from his first one? What a story that would be.