UFC 117: Fitch dominates Alves en route to decision win

When they first met in 2006, Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves were two welterweight prospects. That fight saw Fitch come out on top via second-round TKO.

In their rematch Saturday at UFC 117 in Oakland, Calif., Fitch dominated for all 15 minutes, winning a unanimous decision.

Fitch tries his first takedown 40 seconds into the fight and takes Alves' back. Alves sitting on the mat but Fitch gets on hook in. Alves stands and Fitch is on his back in a standing position. Alves dragged back down. Back up again in the same position as before. Fitch drags him back down into side control. Fitch with some elbows. Scramble and Alves ends up on top in half-guard. Alves works but then lets Fitch back up. Fitch goes body-head twice. Alves stuffs a takedown. Alves pushes Fitch against the cage but Fitch takes him down as the round ends.

Second round begins with a Fitch low kick. Jab connects for Alves. Fitch ducks a hook and takes Alves down. Alves scrambles out but Fitch drags him right back down. Fitch in half-guard now. Another scramble and the same result as before: Fitch drags Alves to the ground. Crowd starting to boo for the first time with 55 seconds left. Alves though with a nice switch and they stand. Alves tries to land as the round ends but it's too little, too late.

Fitch comes out striking. Alves needs a finish to win this fight. Alves with a sense of urgency here. Head kick lands for Alves. Fitch dives for a takedown but Alves pulls out. Alves comes in with an uppercut but Fitch ducks it and takes his back standing and drags him down. Body triangle for Fitch now with 2:15 to go. All Fitch right now. Alves rolls over into top position with 45 seconds left but Fitch still has control with the triangle. Alves on top trying to create separation. They stand but it's too little, too late for Alves.

All three judges score the bout 30-27 for Fitch.

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