UFC welterweight Thiago Alves won’t be able to step inside the Octagon for a second time in 2014 this summer, as he has been forced to withdraw from his UFC Fight Night 49 bout against Jordan Mein due to injury. Stepping in for the injured Alves is Brandon Thatch.
UFC officials announced the injury and change of opponents on Tuesday.
Thiago Alves injured, Brandon Thatch in against Jordan Mein at UFC Fight Night 49
Alves (20-9) returned to the Octagon after a two-year hiatus to take home the unanimous decision against Seth Baczynski at UFC on FOX 11. The victory also put $50,000 into Alves’ pocket as he was awarded ‘Fight of the Night’ honors.
Mein (28-9) is coming off a split decision victory over Hernani Perpétuo at UFC on FOX 11 in April. That victory put him back on the winning path after a setback to Matt Brown at UFC on FOX 9.
Thatch (11-1) has been riding a 10-fight winning streak dating back to 2009. He made his Octagon debut at UFC Fight Night 27 where he finished Justin Edwards early in the first round, he followed that victory up with another TKO win against Paulo Thiago at UFC Fight Night 32. Unfortunately an injury has kept Thatch sidelined since November of last year.
UFC Fight Night 49 goes down on August 23 from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There has been no headlining bout announced yet for the fight card.
