Thiago Alves Still Waiting For Medical Clearance

The UFC announced its full card for UFC 115, which takes place on June 12 at GM Place in Vancouver. Thiago Alves (16-6 MMA, 9-3 UFC) vs. Jon Fitch (22-3 MMA, 12-1 UFC) was expected to be on that card. At this time, it isn’t.

The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board has yet to clear Alves, who was suspended two days before a scheduled meeting with Fitch at UFC 111 in March due to a failed CT scan.

MMAJunkie.com reported that Alves underwent surgery on March 31 to correct an arteriovenous fistula on the left side of his brain. While it sounds bad, Alves still expects to be cleared by June 12 for his much anticipated rematch with Fitch.

Alves has not been inside the Octagon since a unanimous decision loss to George St. Pierre at UFC 100 in July 2009. Since that loss “The Pitbull” had to bow out of UFC 107 in December due to a knee injury and then came the failed CT scan last month.

Alves is eager to face Fitch in an attempt to avenge a second-round TKO loss to him back in 2006. If Alves is cleared to fight, the bout with Fitch will take place on the main pay-per-view card, likely knocking either Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald or Evan Dunham vs. Tyson Griffin to the preliminary card.