• UFC on FX 2

Watch out world: The real Thiago Alves is back

Thiago Alves was once the most feared striker in the UFC welterweight division © Getty Images

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• News: Thiago Alves looking strong at UFC on FX 2 weigh-in
  

Thiago Alves has got his dieting in order, his head straight, and now he believes there is nothing and nobody who can stop him from winning UFC gold.

Alves is set to face Martin Kampmann in this weekend's UFC on FX 2 main event, and he looked powerful at the pre-fight weigh-in. Previously the Brazilian has experienced tough weight cuts, but those issues are a thing of the past.

"Everything is different now," Alves said to FightLine."[Mike] Dolce has taken over my diet and changed my nutrition and my strength and conditioning program."

Alves was once the welterweight division's No. 1 contender, but he got dominated by champion Georges St-Pierre and has since suffered losses to Rick Story and Jon Fitch.

Now a mature fighter at the age of 28, Alves insists he has finally ridden himself of all distractions in order to become the fighter many tipped him to become when the Pitbull first arrived in the UFC.

"I want to stay active this year," Alves, who holds wins over Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck, explained. "I want to fight on Saturday night, again in July and then I'd like to fight again in December.

"Hopefully by then I can fight for the belt or at the very least against one of the top contenders. I'll do whatever the UFC asks me.

"I'm all about getting paid and winning fights. I don't care who it is in front of me as long as I can keep busy and work my way towards the top again. I got my head in the right place and I know as long as I'm healthy I can beat any welterweight who steps inside of the cage with me."

As for Kampmann, Alves added: "I know it's going to be an awesome fight for the fans, but it's not going to be like any of his other fights because I plan on knocking him out or submitting him. He's a really tough guy who's beaten some top fighters, but I know I have all the skills to put him away."

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