Enough is Enough: Thiago Alves Needs to Move Up To Middleweight

The most notorious weight struggle in the history of the world no longer appertains to Oprah Winfrey or Kirstie Alley. That ignominious designation -- at least in the fight game -- now belongs to Gabe Ruediger Anthony Johnson Thiago Alves. 

At yesterday's UFC 117 weigh-ins, in what has become an all-too familiar problem, Alves was unable to make the weight-limit for the third time in his UFC career. Although he came in at just a half a pound north of the 171-pound cap, that's little consolation to Alves who was fined 20% of his purse and will probably henceforth be dogged by questions about his ability to make weight. Combine this latest transgression with his previous failed attempts, as well as the fact that he tested positive for the diuretic, spironolactone, which can be taken to help shed water weight, after his 2006 knockout of Tony DeSouza, and there seems to be only one logical conclusion: Thiago Alves needs to move up a weight class. 

It's been mentioned that Alves walks around at about 200lbs and therefore has to cut a massive amount of weight to make the limit. While I haven't the faintest idea of how tough it is to cut weight -- seeing as how I've never had to do it myself -- one would think that after having competed in the UFC for almost five years now, Thiago would have the hang of it. Problem is, he doesn't.

Yahoo! reported earlier this week that Thiago decided to skip Wednesday's open workouts in order to concentrate on his weight cut, and rumors were flying that he still had approximately 20 pounds to shed with just 48 hours left before he was to step on the scale. 

Here's Thiago talking to MMA Fighting just 24 hours before Friday's weigh-in:

"[The weight cut]'s been easy. It's one of the easiest times it's ever been. I just didn't want to go to the workout and miss a day of working on it, because I wanted to make sure everything was under control and where it should be so I can make it easy on myself. I asked the UFC if I could skip the workout and do some real training, and they let me go. They had so many fighters already, so it was fine." 

Oh, really Thiago? You could have fooled, well... everyone. 

Jumping up to middleweight actually makes a lot of sense of for Alves and the UFC. He may not be the largest fighter in the division, but he certainly wouldn't be undersized. Add in the fact that there are tons of interesting potential match-ups waiting for him; such as Nate Marquardt, Vitor Belfort, Alan Belcher, Yushin Okami, or even Anthony Johnson. Not to mention the awesome battle that might take place between him and Anderson Silva should he notch enough wins to eventually earn a title shot (yes, I'm assuming that Silva will remain the champion).

Keep in mind, I don't believe this move should be made purely out of biological necessity. Alves definitely has the chops to make waves in a greatly improved, yet still lacking, middleweight division that is perpetually lacking compelling challengers. His striking compares favorably with the division's elite and his wrestling has improved to the point where it wouldn't be considered a deficiency in a weight class where only a few truly use it to their advantage. 

If Thiago doesn't have the discipline to cut weight properly at this point in his career -- as in, not do 2/3 of it during the week of the fight -- he likely never will. I'm not usually in favor of telling fighters to "do this" or "do that," because what the fuck do I know, I'm not a fighter; but in Thiago's case, I feel like the writing's on the wall. Win or lose against Jon Fitch tonight, he should move up to middleweight, his welterweight odyssey needs to come to an end.