Thiago Alves: Dave Mandel | Sherdog.com
Welterweight contender Thiago Alves will reportedly return to the Octagon in May against up-and-comer Rick Story.
“Just found out I’ll be back inside of the cage in May! Great news to finish the year!” Alves wrote.
Though the American Top Team product followed with a tweet relaying that he did not know the identity of his upcoming opponent, MMAWeekly.com reports that Alves and Story will square off on May 28. Story called the Brazilian out on a recent episode of the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Savage Dog Show.”
Though the hosting venue for the UFC’s May 28 date is not yet set, the event is likely to take place in Las Vegas. Neither the bout nor the event has been officially announced by the promotion.
Alves comes off one of the most impressive performances of his career, a three-round dissection of John Howard at UFC 124 in Montreal. For 15 minutes, Alves dictated the pace of the bout and landed surgically precise strikes both high and low. Alves’ leg kicks were particularly devastating, hurting Howard early and preventing him from mounting desperate offense late in the bout. Widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the sport, the “Pitbull” holds 11 of his 18 career victories by knockout.
Story is riding a five-fight win streak heading into his confrontation with the former title challenger. The 26-year-old “Horror” most recently edged out Johny Hendricks in a close unanimous decision at “The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale” on Dec. 4. Story has not lost in the UFC since being defeated by John Hathaway in his Octagon debut in June 2009. He holds notable victories over Jake Ellenberger, Dustin Hazelett and Nick Osipczak.