Fantasy #1 Contender Tournament Round 2: #1 Thiago Alves vs. #8 Matt Hughes

The UFC Welterweight Division has a plethora of young talent, a dominating champion, and many exciting match ups to choose from, but the one thing they lack is a true number one contender.  I doubt the UFC would ever put together a welterweight tournament to determine a true number one contender (oh do I hope to be wrong), but we at WKR can have our own virtual (we're dorks, deal with it) tournament.  The bracket and rankings have been set and it is time to begin the tournament.  Let your vote choose who wins the most prestigious, meaningless, fake, yet enjoyable UFC Welterweight number 1 contender tournament.

We have made it into the second round; yes we are only in the second round.  However, there are now no more gimme wins (Alves vs. Larson).  What I found most interesting from round 1 is how much a factor one fight is for a person's voting.  For example, Kampmann lost to Hazelett and it was not even close (never would have happened before Daley fight).  8 fighters left, let's get it on.

The next match up is between #1 ranked Thiago Alves and #8 Matt Hughes.  Fighter details after the jump.

Ahh, yea I probably have should have seen this possibly when the brackets were put together.

NOTES: The Second Round Voting Will Conclude Friday Night at Midnight and the Semifinals Will Follow Directly After On Saturday and Sunday.

Matt Hughes 44-7 (16-5 UFC): We all know Hughes is on the back end of his career and he got smoked by Alves a year ago.  However, Alves did come in 4 pounds overweight and showed a weakness in takedown defense and fighting from his back against St. Pierre.  Granted GSP might have the best takedowns and top control in MMA, just ask B.J. Penn, but maybe Hughes could pull a lay-and-pray and take a victory.

Thiago Alves 22-6 (9-3 UFC): There is not much to say here.  Alves is one of the best welterweights in the world, can finish a fight at any moment, and he already destroyed Hughes a year ago.  Maybe Hughes could get Alves down and winning a boring fight, but Alves would be the clear favorite going into this match.

#6 Dan Hardy vs. #14 Anthony Johnson

#4 Mike Swick vs. #12 Dustin Hazelett

#2 Jon Fitch vs. #10 Carlos Condit