Why Couldn't Thiago Alves Fight Jon Fitch Next?

There is a young and very hungry lion stalking the Welterweight king of the UFC jungle, Georges St. Pierre.

Many MMA fight fans believe that Thiago Alves is just the challenger who will be able to dethrone the current champ.

Thiago is brutal with his Muay Thai skills, and Matt Hughes, his last victim, can certainly attest to the power in his knees.

Hughes looked like an amateur fighting in slow motion as he telegraphed his shot in to take Thiago down early in the second round of their fight.

As Thiago's knee knocked Huges to the floor the move also caused what could have been a career ending injury to Matt's left knee. Although Hughes did not end up having surgery, he has been sidelined from fighting for a year.

Being told that Thiago would be the next to fight Georges after the UFC 94 event, Thiago has not had a fight since.

In one way, if he has been actively preparing for GSP ever since his Hughes fight, he will be in great shape. If he has sat out and enjoyed the sweet life during his time away from the octagon, all may not go as well as Mr. Alves may wish.

The amazing fact about Georges is that he trains to always be in shape.

When he is not preparing himself for a fight, he is helping one of his many training partners to prepare for one of theirs.

For a fighter who is young like Thiago, not having the pressure to train can cause a lapse in training that may come back to haunt him when he does finally step into the cage with Georges.

Like many fans, I feel that Thiago should have had another fight between his last one and the one he is anticipating with Georges.

For one thing, now that B.J. is already manipulating for a third match with St. Pierre, a firm date has not yet been set for the Alves v St. Pierre event.

A fight with either Mike Swick or Jon Fitch would serve to get Thiago in shape for his big fight and possibly give him and edge. Either Swick or Fitch are powerful opponents and could give Alves a run for his money.

All three men are powerful contenders for the WW belt.

I realise it would not be helpful for Thiago to be beaten before a fight with Georges, but it certainly would be a preview for him and all the fans to see indeed if he could prevail in a fight against an equally strong and determined competitor for the prize.

By all means it would be an easy fight to promote and a very timely and enjoyable one to watch.

With B.J. still trying to stir the pot though, who knows when Georges will be free to fight Thiago?