Thiago Alves has revealed that he won’t be able to fight Gunnar Nelson at UFC Fight Night 160 in Copenhagen, Denmark on September 28th.
“Sad news guys,” Alves wrote on Instagram. “Unfortunately due to a unexpected illness I am forced to withdraw from my fight in Copenhagen September 28th vs @gunninelson. I tried everything I could to stay in the fight but my team of doctors wouldn’t allow me. My goal right now is to get 100% healthy so I can get back to do what I love. I like to thank all my fans, team and family for the support. Also the @ufc and @seanshelby for aloud me to chase my dreams. After 4 weeks of intense treatment I should be back to work. November or December the Pitbull will be back. Osss #neveroutofthefight #keeponmovingforwaad.”
The 35-year-old Aves is coming off a uananimous decision loss to Laureano Staropoli at UFC 237 back in May.
Before that Alves had defeated Max Griffin by split decision, but looking at the broader picture, the UFC veteran has only won two of his last seven fights in the Octagon.
As for Nelson, he is also coming off a loss, having come up on the wrong end of a split decision verdict against Leon Edwards in March.
That was Nelson’s second loss in his last three fights, having also been KO’d by Santiago Ponzinibbio, with a submission win over Alex Oliveira sandwiched inbetween times.
Alves vs. Nelson drops from a UFC Fight Night 160 card that will be headlined by Jack Hermansson vs. Jared Cannonier, while it may yet be that Nelson still remains on the line-up against a late-notice replacement.
