Welterweight standout Josh Koscheck has stepped up to face the dangerous Thiago Alves at UFC 90 after Diego Sanchez was forced to withdrawl due to injury.

Koscheck who has a win over Diego Sanchez is coming off a decisive victory over Chris Lytle, while Thiago Alves is coming off one of the biggest victories of his MMA career knocking out Matt Hughes.

Koscheck (13-2), is a 2001 NCAA Division 1 wrestling champion who has never been knocked out in his MMA career. His resume reads wins over Dustin Hezelett, Jonathan Goulet, Dave Menne, Pete Spratt and Luke Cummo.

Alves, nicknamed “Pitbull” for his aggressive fighting style is riding a 6 fight winning streak in the UFC with wins over Karo Parisyan, Chris Lytle, Tony DeSouza and John Alessio.

Disappointing that Diego Sanchez isn’t in this fight, but at the same time this should be a scorcher of a fight between Josh Koscheck and Thiago Alves.