It was the biggest win of Thiago Alves's career, but it didn't come without some controversy on Saturday afternoon as Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to London, England for UFC 85: Bedlam.

Alves, considered one of the top up-and-coming fighters in mixed-martial-arts, beat future Hall-of-Famer and former UFC middleweight champion Matt Hughes just 1:02 into the second round of the main event after clocking Hughes with a flying knee and finishing him with a few strikes on the mat. But the win came a day after Alves failed to make the 170-pound limit; at the official weigh-in, Alves tipped the scales at 174 pounds but Hughes went ahead anyway, agreeing to that limit.

This was the second time Alves, 24, has struggled with his weight. He was suspended for eight months in 2007 after testing positive for diuretics following a win at UFC 66: Liddell vs Ortiz 2; Alves used the substance to help cut weight. Following Saturday's fight, he said a sprained ankle before this fight hampered his training.

Following the loss, however, Hughes gave full credit to his opponent.

"I don't know what to say about these young fighters that are just as good as they are. (Georges St Pierre) and Thiago is who I'm naming here," said Hughes.

Alves, estimated by MMA writer Dave Meltzer to be weighing 195 pounds when he entered the ring, controlled the bout virtually start to finish. Hughes, who is used to dominating opponents with his superior wrestling, did little damage when he had Alves on the mat, and in fact ended up hurt when Alves gained control and scored with some blows from on top.

The end came in a hurry in the second round. Alves opened a cut on Hughes's face when the two were on the mat, and as Hughes attempted to get back up, Alves landed the flying knee and reigned down a mouthful of punches. As Hughes went down for the final time, he fell badly and may have blown out his knee.

"It's a dream come true," said the Brazilian. "Next step it's the belt now."

Source: www.canada.com