MMA Combat - Alves vs. Abedi, Pickett vs. "Barao" Added to UFC 138

MMA Combat - Alves vs. Abedi, Pickett vs. "Barao" Added to UFC 138

Thiago "Pitbull" Alves has struggled of late

UFC officials announced via twitter on Wednesday that one-time UFC welterweight title challenger, Thiago Alves (18-8-0) will collide with promotion new-comer Papy Abedi (8-0-0) at UFC 138 - Leben vs. Munoz, November 5, 2011, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England.

Representing American Top Team, 27-year old Thiago "Pitbull" Alves has finished 11 of his 26 professional bouts by [T]KO, but has suffered losses in three of his previous four fights dating back to when he challenged champion Georges St. Pierre for the promotion title at UFC 100 - Lesner vs. Mir II in July of 2009. Alves last appeared at UFC 130 - Rampage vs. Hamill in May where he dropped a unanimous decision to Rick Story.

Abedi, fighting out of Stockholm, Sweden, has started his professional career a perfect 8-0, although "Makambo" has been in no rush to get there fighting 1-2 times annually since 2006. At 33 years of age, the Superior Challenge veteran will be making his UFC debut; he has finished five of his eight opponents by [T]KO.

Also tabbed for the card, Bantamweights Brad Pickett (20-5-0) and Renan "Barao" (26-1-0) will square off as each man looks to creep closer to a crack at the 135lbs title. 32-year old London, England, native Pickett has been sidelined with injury since the spring of this year when the WEC import was forced to withdraw from his would-be UFC debut against former WEC champion Miguel Torres. "One Punch" has defeated ten of his last eleven opponents, stopping seven of them inside the distance. "Barao" meanwhile is 1-0 inside the octagon. He last appeared at UFC 130 in May where he handled Cole Escovedo with a unanimous decision victory; the Nova Uniao fighter has won 26-straight fights (1 NC) and has stopped nearly half (12) of his opponents by way of submission.