UFC 130: Rick Story Grinds Out Decision Over Alves

Rick Story lauching the right hand

Rick Story extended his winning streak to six at UFC 130, defeating Thiago Alves by unanimous decision.

Story was able to control the pace through the first two rounds with takedown attempts. He dictated the distance and range by pressing Alves against the cage and not giving him the space to unleash his arsenal of strikes.

Heading into the final round, Alves needed a finish. Story slowed and Alves fended off his clinch and takedown efforts. Alves landed several clean punches but was not able to put the 26-year-old away. The two spent the final seconds of the fight slugging it out.

The judges scorecards showed Story the winner by unanimous decision (29-28 on three scorecards), moving Story up the ranks in the welterweight division.

“I feel great. It was a great fight,” said Story following the fight. “Alves is tough as hell and he throws hard punches.”

With the win over top five-ranked Alves, Story will jump into the rankings and into contender status in the 170-pound division. And that’s exactly what he wanted.

“That’s what I wanted, and I wanted to prove that I belong up there.”

Story last tasted defeat at UFC 99 in June of 2009.