MONTREAL -- This is the UFC 124 live blog for Thiago Alves vs. John Howard, a welterweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view card at the Bell Centre.Alves (17-7) has lost his last two fights against Jon Fitch and Georges St-Pierre. Howard (14-5) lost to Jake Ellenberger by TKO in August, ending a seven-fight win streak.
The live blog is below.
This fight is your likely "Knockout of the Night" award winner, two bangers, though Howard also has very good wrestling to go with it. Alves prefers to stand up whenever possible.
Round 1: Alves start off with an inside kick and a straight right that connects. Howard shoots in, Alves defends. Surprisingly, Alves takes Howard down and into half-guard. Alves scores with lefts. Howard threatens a leglock and Alves gets back to his feet. Back standing, Howard fires off a combo, Alves answers with a power right. Howard scores with a right of his own. Alves digs in with a leg kick, then an uppercut that drives Howard against the cage. Alves with another power punch and a knee to the face, and Howard fires back before they reset. Left hook by Alves finds Howard's jaw. Alves continues with the leg kicks. They exchange, including leg kicks before the round runs out, 10-9 Alves.
Round 2: These two are firing off leg kicks like it's a contest. Alves' seem much harder for the record. Howard is starting to shake out his leg, so it seems Alves' kicks are paying dividends. Alves fires off a headkick that Howard partially deflects. Alves shoots in, scoops up Howard and slams him down midway through. Alves throws from the top as Howard tries to get back to his feet. Alves kept the position for the remainder of the round, winning 10-9.
Round 3: An early overhand right knocked Howard back about three steps. Howard shot in, but Alves defended. Howard began stalking Alves around the cage. Alves smashed him with a straight right that put Howard on the ground. Howard recovered immediately and got back to his feet. Half the round left now. During exchanges, Alves is out-landing and throwing the harder shots. Howard was a super-game fighter, but Alves was faster on the draw, more accurate and he'll take the round again, 10-9. Howard raised Alves' hand at the final horn.
Winner: Thiago Alves via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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