Thiago Alves Cavalcante Rodrigues has been mistaken for former UFC title challenger Thiago Alves but at RFA 35, he wants to make people know he’s his own fighter.

Although they share a name, that’s pretty much where the comparisons stop. The UFC fighter is a striking specialist, but Alves (9-3) is an ace on the ground, and he hopes to put that grappling on display against David Putvin (7-1) on Friday at RFA 35.

“Some people have been confused by (my name), when trying to book a fight – they think I might be Thiago ‘Pitbull’ Alves,” Alves told MMAjunkie. “Once they see I’m Thiago ‘Monstrinho,’ they realize their mistake. I’ve always used my last name Alves. So Thiago ‘Monstrinho’ Alves is my fight name. Now people will know who I am.”

RFA 35 takes place at UCCU Arena in Orem, Utah. The Alves vs. Putvin lightweight bout co-headlines the AXS TV brpadcast.

Alves’ participation at RFA 35 was sudden, he said. He was already in Utah training when another fighter’s withdrawal opened up a last-minute spot on the card. Alves said he was helping another fighter prepare for an upcoming bout and felt in good enough shape to accept a fight of his own.

The 29-year-old said a lack of time to create a strategy wasn’t the most worrisome aspect of taking the matchup. What was concerning was finding a way to make the 160-pound catchweight limit on just three days’ notice. Alves said he’s confident he can shed the necessary poundage, but the answer will come today when he steps on the scale for the official weigh-ins.

“I was then helping out my master with his own fight camp, and then this opportunity came up at the last minute,” Alves said. “I took it. The only hard part will be to lose the weight in three days. I have 14 pounds to cut in three days. But it’s fine. I’m already used to this. I didn’t have to travel from Brazil. I was already here.”

Alves said if he wants to stop getting questions about the UFC’s Thiago Alves, he must craft a career of his own. Taking fights under less-than-ideal circumstances is one way to do that, he said, but that decision also carries tremendous risk.

Luckily for Alves, he said the matchup with Putvin should play in his favor. The two fighters have 14 submissions in 16 combined victories and clearly prefer to fight on the ground. Alves said he doesn’t see a knockout threat and is convinced he’ll be a step ahead with his grappling.

“Since I was booked on short notice, I don’t know much about my opponent,” Alves said. “But I saw that he’s a jiu-jitsu practitioner. I believe he’s a blue belt. All of his wins are by submission. He doesn’t have heavy hands. I don’t see that he’s a very risky opponent. I’m ready for him on the ground and also standing.”

For more on RFA 35, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.