A modern-day wrecking ball at 170, Thiago Alves began training in MMA at a very young age and lost back-to-back fights to start off his mixed martial arts career in 2001. As he grew, however, Alves soon built a solid professional record and earned his way into the world’s largest mixed martial arts organization, the UFC, defeating notable welterweight Marcus Davis along the way.

Although he lost his first UFC bout to future lightweight standout Spencer Fisher by triangle choke in October of 2005, Alves reeled off back-to-back wins over Ansar Chalangov and Derrick Noble before running into the second roadblock of his UFC career in Jon Fitch, whom he lost to by TKO in round 2. Alves then put together the most impressive winning streak of his career, winning seven straight contests, defeating Josh Koscheck and John Alessio by decision and finishing Tony Desouza, Kuniyoshi Hironaka, Chris Lytle, Karo Parisyan, and former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes with strikes in the process. That streak, dotted with bonecrushing KOs, put him on the map and into the minds of the UFC fanbase. In July of 2009 at UFC 100, a peaking Alves fought defending champion Georges St. Pierre over five rounds, losing on all three judges’ cards in a spirited performance in which he was controlled by the champion's wrestling. The loss did little to diminish Alves’s reputation as a game and still up-and-coming fighter.

While he is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Alves is predominantly known in the MMA world for his vicious Muay Thai striking game, and for extremely large weight cuts down to 170 that typically allow him a size and strength advantage over his opponents. Alves began training in Muay Thai at the age of 14, but only found a high level of professional success when he relocated to the United States at the age of 19 and began training full time at the famed American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. Alves also possesses some of the most damaging leg kicks in the business.