Thiago Alves Taking Time Off To Heal

Thiago Alves, a former contender to the UFC welterweight title, has decided to spend the next several months rehabbing his body and not sign to fight again until June at the earliest.

"Me my camp American Top Team and my Manager Dan Lamert decide after chest surgery this year to fix my left knee as well," Alves recently posted on Twitter. "Take care all my...injuries and health issues to come back stronger then ever for 2013! Been fighting with a bad left knee since 2009 before the first time I was suppose to fight (Jon) Fitch and didn't happen cause of my left PCL. Over the year just been getting worst after 3 years my ACL is damage now. So is time to rebuild the machine to comeback strong for 2013."

Alves is 19-9 in his career, but just 2-4 inside the Octagon. He was recently defeated by Martin Kampmann via submission in his lone 2012 appearance.

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