Thiago Alves: I'm On A Mission To Become a World Champion

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

At the ripe old age of 26, UFC welterweight Thiago Alves has already been through more in his eight years in mixed martial arts than most fighters go through in their whole careers.

From being suspended for using a diuretic to make weight against Tony DeSouza in 2006 to failing to make weight against Matt Hughes at UFC 85 in 2008, all of those trials and tribulations helped Alves become the fighter he is today, the fighter the UFC tapped to fight welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre at UFC 100 , the granddaddy of all MMA events.

It certainly wasn't an easy road taken by Alves to reach the pinnacle of his sport and although he came up short he learned a valuable lesson the night of July 11, 2009. That lesson was simple, you can have all the physical tools in the world but if you are not there mentally, especially against a fighter of GSP's caliber, you are certain to lose.

After 11 long months of scheduling interviews and rescheduling interviews with Alves, I was finally able to reign in the man that many people including GSP see as the future of the UFC's welterweight division. Here is what he had to say:

Bryan Levick: First off, you recently were forced to pull out of your much anticipated rematch with Jon Fitch , what was the exact nature of your injury and when can we expect to see you back in the octagon?

Thiago Alves: I tore my PCL, I had a knee injury before my fight with GSP in which I tore my MCL and now six weeks before my fight with Fitch I tore my PCL. My doctor advised me not to fight and although I still wanted to fight my manager told me not to because I am not 100 percent, they felt it was not a good idea to go up against a fighter like Jon Fitch at anything less than full strength. I am going to take this time off to heal and get better; hopefully I will be back by January 31st. It's not as bad as it could have been but it's not worth the risk of doing any further damage. You have no idea how bad I wanted this fight! When I come back I am going to better than ever, the next time I step inside the octagon I am going to make a huge impression. Everything happens for a reason and I have no complaints.

BL: Let's talk about UFC 100.  I read a great article about you in Fight Magazine before the fight took place. I recall you talking about when you were younger you felt it was your destiny to become a champion. What was it like when you got the call and were offered a shot at GSP and the UFC welterweight title on such a historic card?

TA: I was really happy; this is my dream coming true. I was getting an opportunity to get my belt on the biggest MMA show in MMA history. I was really excited and at the same time I was really confident. I knew with all the right training combined with all the skills and all the tools I have acquired throughout my years in the sport, I knew I could beat anybody. Unfortunately I had a lot of issues going into the fight with my training camp and my coaches. I wasn't at my best, I was in really good shape physically but mentally I wasn't where I needed to be, my strategy going into the fight was not where it needed to be. I was dealing with a lot of pressure and a lot of bullsh*t but that doesn't mean anything, GSP was better than me that night, it wasn't my night and I need to get better. I learned a lot from that fight, I realized to be the best everything has to be right, everything around you has to be the best. Your training partners have to be in tune with you, you have to be in a good place in your life. I saw what the best guy in the world has at his best day and I know I can do better. That's what drives me, it showed me that I need to work harder. It was a good experience, it wasn't good that I got my butt kicked but it showed me that I need to work harder to get to where I want to be.

BL:

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?