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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Former UFC Welterweight Title challenger Thiago Alves is reportedly looking to move to the lightweight division, according to Wednesday's UFC Tonight program on Fox Sports 1.
The 31-year-old has appeared 20 times inside the Octagon over a near decade-long tenure on the roster. He fought Georges St-Pierre for the 170 lb. belt at UFC 100 in 2009, but has been inconsistent since that fight while also dealing with injuries.
In the six years since that title fight, Alves has gone 4-4 overall, 2-1 since returning from a two-year injury layoff last April. That loss came in his most recent outing, where he was stopped by Carlos Condit in the main event of UFC Fight Night 67 in May.
All 31 of Alves' fights have come in the welterweight division, and he's even had trouble making weight during his run. However, he thinks he can make 155 lbs., and hopes to fight again before the end of 2015.
Penick's Analysis: I just don't see how this is even feasible. Alves has always been a bulky welterweight, and with past troubles hitting the mark at 170 lbs. I don't know how he can healthily make 155 lbs. It just doesn't seem possible. I suppose he might prove doubters wrong, but it seems extremely unlikely he's going to be able to hit that mark.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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