ONE Championship targeting Eddie Alvarez vs ‘Dagi’ for early 2021, says Chatri
- ONE chairman says contracts have been sent to both fighters – ‘we’ve already set a date and a card’
- Demetrious Johnson vs Adriano Moraes for flyweight title has also been offered for early next year
ONE Championship chairman Chatri Sityodtong has told SCMP that MMA contracts have been sent to Eddie Alvarez and “Dagi” Arslanaliev for an early 2021 bout in Asia.
But with “The Warrior” (13-3) making his first defence against Iuri Lapicus (14-0) at Inside The Matrix on October 30, “The Underground King” (29-6) will have to earn it.
“Eddie’s gonna be coming back early next year. We’ve already set a date and a card for him, and now we’re just finalising his opponent,” Chatri said. “So it’s most likely gonna be Eddie Alvarez vs Dagi, I think [matchmaker] Matt Hume has given out offers to the both of them, we’re just trying to finalise things.
“Dagi lost to Christian Lee in the world grand prix final. I think everybody was expecting Dagi to steamroll Christian – he was just relentless, killing everybody in the division. But Christian won. It’s an important fight for Dagi to face Eddie.”
Alvarez had been set to fight Arslanaliev (8-2) in the final of the lightweight grand prix at ONE: Century in Tokyo in October 2019 but withdrew with an ankle injury exacerbated in a comeback win vs former champ Eduard Folayang (22-9).
“The fight hasn’t been made yet but it’s been offered, so let’s see if both sides agree, but yes I’d love to have Eddie back early next year,” Chatri added.