(Props: EASJBS)
Since you’re probably tired of hearing about James Toney and his wack-ass smack talk, we’re going to leave him out of today’s installment of The New Guys. Instead, we’ll focus on a fighter who actually has a decent chance of winning his UFC debut at #118, and will probably stick around for one more fight even if he loses. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the other guy who will be entering the Octagon for the first time on Saturday…
AMILCAR ALVES (WW)
Experience: 11-1 record (seven wins by first-round stoppage), competing for various Brazilian promotions. Last competed in December 2009, avenging his only career loss with a 59-second knockout of Fernando Paulon.
Will be facing: Mike Pierce (11-3, 2-1 UFC), in the first fight of the preliminary card.
Lowdown: A product of the red-hot Nova Uniao team in Brazil, Amilcar Alves is a training partner of such elite fighters as Jose Aldo and Marlon Sandro. The judo black belt plans on being a crowd-pleaser: “I know what audience and the promotion expect from a newcomer: to be a ferocious and hungry dog, and this is what I want to [be]. I know what I’ll bring will please the person who’s a UFC fan, much aggressiveness and versatility…I’m capable of bringing new tricks to the table in any moment.”
Before making Nova Uniao his home, Alves was a member of Ruas Vale Tudo; he fought his first Muay Thai match in 2003 before entering MMA competition in 2006. Alves was previously under contract to make his American debut with Shine Fights, but was generously released by the organization after "Worlds Collide" fell apart and the promotion’s next event became uncertain.
Alves is confident that he has the tools necessary to take out his first UFC opponent: "I’ve seen Mike Pierce’s fights. He’s a strong and explosive fighter. His strength is takedowns. I’m going to train in takedowns so much not just to face him, but to become a more complete athlete…I know my stand-up is better than his so I will explore it. But if the fight goes to the floor there won’t be any problem because I train at Nova Uniao and I think I don’t need to speak about the jiu-jitsu that is worked on from there and all the champions that have been formed."
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Amilcar is a black belt in Judo with 25 years of experience, so he's got good TD defense and a strong clinch. He's got plenty of legit stoppages on his record, and powerhouse strikers are not always the most textbook fundamentally.
Obviously, considering his past level of competition, Pierce should absolutely be the heavy favorite... but Amilcar ain't no bitch. He's very Korean Zombie-like in that he will likely win a bunch of fans even if he loses.
Solid article.