• UFC 138

Alves weigh-in scare not the Pitbull's fault

ESPN staff
November 5, 2011
Thiago Alves fights Papy Abedi at UFC 138 © Getty Images
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Thiago Alves was not to blame for Friday's weigh-in problems, according to nutritionist Mike Dolce.

Alves stepped onto the scales ahead of his UFC 138 fight with Papy Abedi one pound over the legal 171lb limit. He then later returned at 171 in order to avoid forfeiting a percentage of his purse this weekend.

The Brazilian is known for problems with weight-cutting, twice previously missing weight - much to the anger of president Dana White. However, on this occasion Dolce insists his fighter was blameless.

"We had four different scales. Every scale had him between 169 and 171," Dolce told MMA Fighting. "We were happy. It was an easy weight cut, he felt fine, high energy, bouncing around.

"We got to the weigh-ins and he was 172.3 with his shorts on. He took off his shorts and he was 172 on the dot. We were shocked, but hey, no problem.

"We walked off the scale, we went backstage, there was a sauna there, he sat in the sauna for a few minutes, then he took a pee, then we went back out and made 171. It was literally that simple.

"[It] sucks, because I see how hard this kid's working. He understands that he has to work his way back up the ladder, and he's doing everything correctly in his personal, emotional, professional, and financial life to make sure he makes a statement and makes a run in the welterweight division."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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