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#2. Thiago Alves (23-13-0) vs. Laureano Staropoli (8-1-0) (Welterweight)
UFC veteran Thiago Alves was coming off a big win against Max Griffin while his opponent Staropoli had not tasted defeat since 203. A classic showdown between a Brazilian and an Argentine, this ought to be good.
Round 1: It hadn't been a minute and Staropoli had already changed stances more than most fighters would in a full fight. Staropoli landed a kick to the chest and continued to move around looking for an opening.
Alves was patient and kept reading the unpredictable movements of his opponent. The long and fluid Staropoli kept mixing things up. He threw question mark kicks. Staropoli was the more active fighter as he controlled the Octagon, landed strikes at regular intervals, and avoided much damage in return.
Alves started landing as the round came to a close, as he connected with his patented low kicks along with a solid punch.
However, round one was Staropoli's. 10-9 Staropoli
Round 2: Staropoli came in hot but Alves was better prepared to deal with him as he had already read all his movements in the first round. Alves looked composed and scouted for the opening for one big finishing shot.
Staropoli feinted and forced Alves to throw, Alves missed and Staropoli countered with a quick right that knocked Alves down. Staropoli tried to keep Alves down, even trying to get his back at one point, however, Alves managed to get back to his feet.
Alves began pressing forward and got a good combination in, before ending with a big left hook. Staropoli replied with a 1-2 himself. A left hook, right uppercut followed from Staropoli.
Alves connected with a few shots as the fans got excited. Staropoli answered with a combination of body shots and uppercuts.
Alves put together another combination - two rights and a left - at the sound of the hooter. That was a close round to score but Staropoli may have edged it.
Round 3: Both men came out swinging. Staropoli wildly swayed his hands for a potential finish but Alves showed his veteran instincts to score a takedown. He couldn't keep him down for long as Starapoli jumped back up.
It was strange to see Alves not use his repertoire of low kicks. Alves wrapped his hands around Staropoli for a possible takedown. He looked for a leg trip, but Staropoli resisted.
Alves connected with a solid knee in an exchange that hurt Staropoli. The Argentine retreated as Alves rushed in to finish things off. Staropoli hung in there and managed to knock Alves down with a punch.
The two fighters wrapped things up with a highly engaging third round.
Result: Laureano Staropoli def. Thiago Alves via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Despite having only 10 fights to his name, Staropoli looked like a really well-rounded prospect as a result of his win over the seasoned Thiago Alves.
While the scorecards may not paint a proper picture, Alves did put up a solid effort against despite coming up short.
