A calm, cool and collected Thiago Alves, two days ahead of the most important fight of his career, spoke in plain terms when it came to UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre.

The 25-year-old American Top Team ace will get his shot at 170-pound gold when he meets St. Pierre in the UFC 100 co-main event this Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Alves (16-3), one of the division’s most feared strikers, will carry a healthy respect for the champion into the bout, along with a seven-fight winning streak.

“He’s a man,” Alves said during a pre-fight press conference on Thursday. “He’s the champion. I’ve got a lot of respect for him, but my respect was done when my training was done. Now, it’s business. I’m going for his belt, and I’m going to take his belt.”

Alves, a massive welterweight who has experienced difficulties making weight in the past, claims to be ahead of schedule with his cut.

“This time has been the easiest cut for me,” Alves said. “I’m just eight pounds over. I got here on Tuesday at 183. Usually, I get here at 188.”