FACEBOOK TWITTER RSS APP PODCAST MMA News : UFC UFC NEWS: Thiago Alves vs. John Howard targeted for UFC 124 in December

Sep 2, 2010 - 7:00:18 PM

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

A welterweight bout between Thiago Alves and John Howard is heading to UFC 124 this December, according to a report from MMAJunkie.com.

Alves had been called out by Mike Pierce earlier this week following Pierce's UFC 118 win over UFC newcomer Amilcar Alves. Thiago had been receptive to the bout himself, telling MMAJunkie.com "I would be more than happy to beat [Pierce's] ass if the UFC allows me."

But the organization had other things in mind, and he'll now meet Howard, who is coming off his first loss in the UFC. Doctor's stopped his fight with Jake Ellenberger in the third round at UFC on Versus 2 after his eye swelled shut from blows delivered by Ellenberger.

Alves, meanwhile, looks to bounce back from his second loss in a row, and second loss to Jon Fitch, suffered at UFC 117 earlier last month. He had been out of action for a year due to injury and brain surgery in March.

UFC 124 will take place from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on December 11, headlined by the Welterweight Championship bout between Georges St. Pierre and Josh Koscheck.

Link to Original Source Article

Penick's Analysis: I wouldn't have had a problem with the Alves-Pierce matchup, but I like this fight as well. Howard has won some fights in the Octagon, but he's come close to defeat a few times in those bouts. Still, he's a highly competitive fighter who will be a good challenge for Alves, who is looking to bounce back from losses to the best and second-best welterweights in the world. For Howard, it's a good opportunity, it's a big opportunity for him to fight one of the best fighters in the division.

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