Thiago Alves Hoping for Return to the Cage by the End of the Year

Thiago Alves was just one casualty of the heavily cursed UFC 149 card.

While training in Florida for his upcoming fight against Siyar Bahadurzada, Alves tore his pectoral muscle and had to pull out of UFC 149.

Now, though, Alves seems poised and ready to get back into fighting by December.

“Great news, just talked to my doctor and my (physical therapist). They both told me I’ll be back fighting again by December. I can’t wait!” Alves wrote on Twitter.

Alves was just one of many fighters who have pulled out of the plagued UFC 149 card.

Including Alves, the total number of changes to the card has reached six. That also includes a change to Alves' fight—he was originally set to face Yoshihiro Akiyama, who later pulled out due to injury.

The Brazilian-born fighter is currently still rehabbing and going through recovery at home in Florida and waiting for the doctor's OK to return to the cage.

Alves seemed like he was back and better than ever in his last fight against Martin Kampmann. He controlled the first two rounds and eventually got caught in a guillotine that helped Kampmann complete his come-from-behind win.

The 28-year-old American Top Team member is currently 2-3 in his last five fights since being beaten by Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title at UFC 100 in July of 2009.