One Championship: Eddie Alvarez looks to banish the ghost of Conor McGregor on return to Japan
- Former UFC champion’s return to Tokyo is 13 years in the making
- ‘I made a name for myself here’ says Alvarez, who looks in rude health as he begins quest for One lightweight title
Walking through the lobby of Shinagawa’s Grand Prince Hotel, Eddie Alvarez looks noticeably bulkier than the man who meekly surrendered to Conor McGregor in the biggest fight of his life.
One Championship’s weight class rules allow fighters to compete at their more natural weight, eliminating cutting. Alvarez said he will thus carry all of his “explosiveness” into the cage for his One Championship debut on Sunday because he is not starving himself.
The 35-year-old also had a look of awe on his face at Thursday’s “One: A New Era” press conference – which is odd for a fighter who headlined Madison Square Garden less than two and a half years ago.
But his return to Tokyo is nearly 13 years in the making, having made the trip to fight at the Sumo Arena for the MARS promotion in August 2006.
“I was a 23-year-old kid and I just remember being on the plane over here, being so excited to be in another country, to fight in front of a different audience and see new things,” Alvarez said.