Institute of Human Performance (IHP) founder Juan Carlos Santana is a giant in the strength training game, which is why so many top-class athletes have turned to him to get the killer-level fitness they need to smash their competition. Thiago Alves is a case in point. Since working with Santana he's added a shocking level of conditioning to his natural ability to bang harder than almost anyone else in the UFC's welterweight class.
Here's IHP's UK representative Joel Proskewitz (with a little help from respected BJJ black belt Leo Nagao) performing one of the workouts that's made Alves such a force in the MMA (16 wins, 6 losses).
His next fight is a rematch against Jon Fitch at UFC 117. If he can keep it standing, he's got a great chance of avenging his UFC Ultimate Fight Night 5 loss to the arch grappler.
That would hopefully pave the way for a rematch with the current welterweight champion, George St.Pierre – head and shoulder's the division's best. Alves was dominated by the Canadian phenom in their first battle at UFC 100 and he's hungry to make amends for that loss too.
For IHP information, go to www.ihpfit.com
You can find out more about Joel Proskewitz's Strength Company here.
There are UFC workouts in every issue of the Men's Fitness. You can subscribe to it here.
