One Championship: ‘dangerous’ mauler Dagi Arslanaliev awaits Eddie Alvarez in Tokyo grand prix final

‘You don’t even get to see much tape on him because he ends lots of fights in the first round,’ admits former UFC star

‘I expect to be the winner, hopefully by knockout. I will do what I do best,’ says Turkish sensation, ahead of clash at blockbuster Century show

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Published: 6:33pm, 27 Aug 2019Updated: 6:38pm, 27 Aug 2019

No sooner has he banished the demons of his One Championship debut and Eddie Alvarez is facing perhaps his most ferocious challenge in the Asian MMA organisation.

Alvarez made it through to the final of the lightweight grand prix with a comeback win against Eduard Folayang in Manila. Now he takes on Saygid “Dagi” Guseyn Arslanaliev in Tokyo on October 13.

The American will be one of the feature bouts on the first card of One’s Century double-header, meaning he’ll be fighting in the morning, local time, at Ryogoku Sumo Hall. The first card will be broadcast live on US network giant TNT in a Saturday night prime time slot.

“He’s a dangerous, incredible opponent,” Alvarez told Ariel Helwani’s MMA show of Arslanaliev. “You’re gonna wanna watch this.”

Fighting out of Turkey, the 24-year-old has an 8-1 record, with his only loss a disqualification for an illegal strike.