Breaking News:Sanchez Out, Koscheck Steps in to Fight Alves

UFC.com has reported that Diego Sanchez suffered torn rib cartilage and can not compete at UFC 90 against Thiago Alves. So who better than the man that defeated Diego and is on his way up the welterweight ladder to replace Diego in a much anticipated bout to determine a number one contender.

Poor, poor Diego. This guy has battled back from a bad staph infection and seemed to be back and better than before. He finally gets a chance to prove just how good he is by fighting a guy like Alves, and he receives another major setback. I know that this injury isn't career threatening, but the timing was just horrible.

Thiago Alves is coming off of the biggest win of his career by beating UFC legend Matt Hughes. Not many people knew who Thiago was before this fight, but he changed that with one huge knee to the facial region of Matt Hughes. Now, he may not be the most well known welterweight to the every day fan, but to the hardcore guys, we know that this 24 year old may one day be sitting atop the mountain that is the UFC welterweight division.

Josh Koscheck, what can I say about this guy that I didn't already say. I mean really, I wrote an entire article on the guy and where he stood. One of the main questions I asked regarded his next fight. I dodn't know who it was going to be against, all of the elite welterweights were already taken. Serra/Hughes, St. Pierre/Penn, and at the time, Alves/Sanchez. Now with Diego out and "Kos" vaulted into the spotlight, Josh has a chance to earn another fight against GSP, or whoever has the title in 2009.

For those of you that read my predictions on UFC 90, you saw that I picked Alves to shine and catapult himself into the elite welterweight circle. That was when Thiago was fighting Diego. Does my prediction change? In the words of Kool-Aid Man and Macho Man Randy Savage "OHH YEAH".

Thiago is a very solid 170. His nickname says it all. He reminds me alot of another top ten welterweight in Karo Parysian. Both of these men are very solid and look to be oo big to weigh 170, until of course you see them in person and realize how short they are. Thiago, much unlike Karo, finishes every fight he is in. He has had inly one decision in his 3 year stint as a UFC fighter. He has won his last 5 by TKO, lets just say he's a really good striker.

Alves has lost just twice in the UFC, one against UFC veteran Spencer Fisher and the other against the unSTOPable Jon Fitch. (notice how I emphasized "stop, he may have lost to GSP, but he went all 5 rounds.) Oh yeah, he's also a BJJ black belt, something he hasn't yet shown us in the UFC. If this guy can keep his weight in check, he's a force to be reckoned with.

Josh Koscheck is coming off of two very impressive victories. He stopped Dustin "McLovin" Hazelett, and badly cut Chris Lytle in a dominant decision victory. He may not be loved by all UFC fans, but this guy has talent and I'm a fan. Remember, he had won five consecutive fights, including one over Diego, before losing in somewhat impressive fashion to your current UFC welterweight champion GSP. With a win over Thiago, "Kos" will undoubtedly be first in line, after BJ of course.

Now comes the time that I hate the most. I now have to pick a winner of what will be a very important and potentially exciting fight. Before I get to that, I'd like to tell you that I was always told to stick with my gut instinct. That being said, I'm going to stick with my pick even despite a major change, and take Thiago Alves. I have know idea how this fight will be won, being that Thiago loves to finish while Koscheck loves to wait it out.

As always feel free to disagree and leave any comments you have below.