UPDATED- Thiago Alves pulls out of UFC 111

http://www.mmamania.com/2010/3/25/1389697/thiago-alves-pulled-from-ufc-111
Former UFC welterweight number one contender Thiago Alves has been removed from his UFC 111 fight against Jon Fitch after a CAT Scan has revealed an irregularity involving an artery in his brain.

TMZ first reported the unfortunate news earlier today and MMAmania.com has confirmed the change with sources close to one of the fight camps.

The UFC is currently searching an opponent on the east coast who is licensed in New Jersey, but the possibilities are slim due to the timing and strict licensing requirements in the "Garden State."

*UPDATE*
http://mmajunkie.com/news/18443/thiago-alves-agent-says-pitbull-disappointed-aims-for-quick-returns.mma
An irregularity in a pre-fight CT scan was the culprit, but Alves' agent, Malki Kawa of First Round Management, told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that his client is aiming for a quick return.

"Thiago is very disappointed," Kawa said. "But he remains in good spirits and hopes to get back in the cage very quickly."
Kawa said Alves hoped to shift the fight to the UFC's Wednesday event in North Carolina, UFC Fight Night 21. Unfortunately, it appears the timeframe is just too tight, and that option appears unlikely.

Instead, Kawa indicated Alves has his eyes on Abu Dhabi in April.

Kawa said Alves still plans on attending his previously announced Friday night Q&A session, which takes place at Sazon restaurant in New York City's Tribeca district.

"Thiago will still be at his Q&A on Friday, and hopefully he'll be able to answer all the questions then," Kawa said. "For now, Thiago just wants to apologize to all of his fans and let them know that he's fine and will be fighting again very soon."

wow hope everything is OK, brain irregularity? Hope it works out for him.

ah man, that suks.

Obviously, 1st things 1st and I hope he is OK, but the card takes a pretty big hit.

i just saw this on yahoo.com, hope everythings well

OUSOONERSOU wrote:

wow hope everything is OK, brain irregularity? Hope it works out for him.

WTF is a brain irregularity? Don't we have a doctor or something on this message board damn it!

UFC honcho Dana White tells TMZ he will fly Pitbull to a specialist for further evaluation. White says, "If it's true, it can be career-ending."

No one will replace Pitbull on Saturday.

got the above from bloodyelbow.com

"Despite information in the original report the states otherwise, MMAmania.com has learned that UFC officials are currently searching for a replacement on the east coast who is licensed in New Jersey; however, the possibilities are slim due to the timing and strict licensing requirements in the "Garden State."

Still, Fitch has been instructed to maintain his current weight -- though the former collegiate wrestling standout has offered to move up to Middleweight (185-pounds) if it increases the promotion's chances of finding a suitable opponent."

UPDATE from mmamania.com

Hope everything for Alves turns out alright. The last few months have been a nightmare for the UFC as far as guys having to withdrawal from scheduled fights. I was really looking forward to watching this fight.

I hope Thiago is alright and that this irregularity doesn't end his fighting career.

Is there any other Welterweight fights on the card ?

damn it man hope the pit gets well man this sucks.

Ali_1748 wrote:

I hope Thiago is alright and that this irregularity doesn't end his fighting career.

Is there any other Welterweight fights on the card ?

Matt Brown vs Almeida

Damn this sucks I was looking forward to this fight. Hope he's ok for sure, though, I would hate to see his career end or worse his life. Brain problems are obviously nothing to play around with.

So, what fight gets moved to the main card? I doubt the move one of the prelims that Spike is showing to the main card because Spike's been advertising them so hard. It looks like Jim Miller vs. Mark Bocek will take it's place. That's a nice fight, Miller is always exciting to watch.

I love the Batman vs. Camoes fight. I hope that one goes into the 3rd round.

Fight that will replace it on the main card according to bloodyelbow is.."the lightweight battle between New Jersey’s own Kurt Pellegrino and Fabricio Camoes will now be moved up to the Pay-Per-View portion of the card."

Skyab23 wrote:

Fight that will replace it on the main card according to bloodyelbow is.."the lightweight battle between New Jersey’s own Kurt Pellegrino and Fabricio Camoes will now be moved up to the Pay-Per-View portion of the card."

Woohoo! I'm a big Batman fan so I'm glad we will see this one.

Bigs03 wrote:

Skyab23 wrote:

Fight that will replace it on the main card according to bloodyelbow is.."the lightweight battle between New Jersey’s own Kurt Pellegrino and Fabricio Camoes will now be moved up to the Pay-Per-View portion of the card."

Woohoo! I'm a big Batman fan so I'm glad we will see this one.

Yeah I was reading a Kurt quote today that said he is in the best shape he has ever been. Claims he can go all out for 30 min straight.

OUSOONERSOU wrote:

Bigs03 wrote:

Skyab23 wrote:

Fight that will replace it on the main card according to bloodyelbow is.."the lightweight battle between New Jersey’s own Kurt Pellegrino and Fabricio Camoes will now be moved up to the Pay-Per-View portion of the card."

Woohoo! I'm a big Batman fan so I'm glad we will see this one.

Yeah I was reading a Kurt quote today that said he is in the best shape he has ever been. Claims he can go all out for 30 min straight.

I believe it. He's a tough bastard with a lot of heart too. I just love watching him fight because he's not afraid to take a chance and he never quits. Plus in his interviews he just seems like a good guy.

So is Fitch off the card now ?

It looks like Fitch won't be fighting at all. Sucks for him.

Thiago's manager said Thiago is fine but just doesn't have the time needed to be cleared by the specialist in time for the fight. Hoping to get the fight put on the UFN card but UFC 112 is more likely. Hopefully this is true and no real problems for Thiago.

That's a huge huge blow to the card. That was the one fight i was really looking forward to for the fact that it was two top 4 WW's and anybody could have taken it. I'm still buying the card and everything but weak.

The most important thing though is Alves health. If there is something wrong with an artery in your brain...obviously entering the cage can put him at serious risk of brain damage or maybe even death depending on what the details are. Hopefully that turns out OK.

boomer sooner wrote:

It looks like Fitch won't be fighting at all. Sucks for him.

Sucks for him and us.

Ali_1748 wrote:

I hope Thiago is alright and that this irregularity doesn't end his fighting career.

Is there any other Welterweight fights on the card ?

Almeida vs Brown
Saunders vs Ellenberger
Diaz vs Markham
Riddle vs Soto

hopefully the new news of Fitch vs Saunders doesn't mean Alves will be out for awhile.

here you go Drew, read up.

That really does sound like it could be career ending.