Thiago Alves was forced to withdraw from UFC Fight Night 116 and it didn’t sit well with his scheduled opponent. The bout with Mike Perry was to take place on FOX Sports 1 but after Hurricane Irma hit, Alves had to pull out. Here’s what he said via Instagram.
This was my first hurricane as a husband and a father. The safety of my family it’s my duty and they will always come first! Still, i did make every attempt suggested by the UFC Travel Team to get to Pittsburgh besides taking a “Road Trip” with my wife and my 13 months son when the whole state of FL was evacuating. All my flights continued to get cancelled from Friday am all the way to Tuesday 11 pm. After spending 6 hours at the airport with no real idea when I would make to the fight, having no electricity, sleeping in the gym with my family, and dealing with my dog dying from heat exhaustion … I decided to stay with my family and rebuild. I will never apologize for that, it’s not in my nature.
I have too much love and respect for my Sport, Family, Team and the MMA Fans to go to war not being 100% ready. Me and the UFC are in great terms, they understand my decision. I’ve been with the company for 12 years. I’ve known Sean Shelby for a very long time and he knows I always come to fight. I trained for 16 weeks bc this fight was originally happening in August. If I don’t fight I don’t get paid, so nobody suffers but Me and My Family. I’m ready and will stay ready. I should be rebooked by December. My support to everyone that went through Hurricane Irma. My thoughts and prays(sp) are with you #RipTanky
He later tweeted at Perry and it got real.
I still have a ass whooping with @PlatinumPerry name on it. Don’t talk yourself out, you got a gift this weekend and you know it! #easywork
Mike Perry had just demolished replacement Alex Reyes in 79 seconds to move his record to an impressive 11-1. If Alves and Perry finally meet in the cage it will surely be fireworks.