Thiago Alves (photo via UFC Bios.com)

By FCF Staff

Although it’s been nearly five years since Thiago Alves challenged for the UFC’s welterweight title, the punishing striker believes the best days of his career are ahead.

Since Alves’ decision loss to now former champ, Georges St-Pierre in 2009, the fighter has undergone multiple surgeries, and has only fought twice since 2011. On Saturday, at UFC 183, Alves will square off with Jordan Mein, who he was supposed to face last August, until another injury sent him to the sidelines.

“Pitbull” recently spoke to UFC.com about this Saturday’s bout, and while discussing his plans for the coming year, Alves relayed:

“2015 is going to be the best year of my career,” he said. “I’m mature, I’ve been through a lot, and now it’s time to execute the master plan. Of course, I don’t want to get ahead of myself because I have a mission to execute January 31st. But I want to do at least three fights this year and get back to the top of the weight class, and in 2016, the plan is to pursue that belt.”

Alves hasn’t fought since April, 2014, when he worked his way to a unanimous decision win over Seth Baczynski. Mein, on the other hand, ended up facing Mike Pyle last August and stopped the rugged vet in the opening round.

UFC 183 will be hosted by the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will feature Anderson Silva taking on Nick Diaz in the main event.