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.
“Fast forward 13 years, still the same excitement inside; the same new feelings inside, the nervousness, the excitement of winning another world title.”
He won that fight against Hidenobu Koike by first-round TKO, and he returned four more times in 2008 before joining Bellator, where he would go on the win the lightweight title.
“The Underground King” also went on to claim the UFC lightweight title in July 2016 before McGregor took it from him.
His first opponent in the Singapore-based One, on their first foray into Japan, is Russia’s Timofey Nastyukhin in the lightweight grand prix, which starts at the Ryogoku Sumo Hall for Sunday’s stacked card.
“I want to thank Chatri [Sityodtong, One Championship founder] for bringing me back here,” Alvarez said. “This is where I made a name for myself in front of the Japanese audience, representing America in a tournament. This is exactly where I want to be, right here.”
“I asked for it [the grand prix], and I got it,” he added. “I don’t say it to be a tough guy or try to be something I’m not. I know how I respond to dangerous things.
“I usually respond in a way I don’t even know I’m capable of. I’m looking forward to someone getting in my face, doing some damage, and letting that dog come out.”
As soon as it was announced last November that Alvarez had signed with One, speculation raged that he would chase a trilogy rubber fight with Shinya Aoki. The Japanese star headlines Sunday’s card against lightweight champion Eduard Folayang, but Alvarez is only interested in the title.
“I’m super focused on the grand prix. I have no concerns about Shinya Aoki. He don’t even hold the belt,” Alvarez said. “I’m not being disrespectful but a lot of people are asking me about Shinya. He’s not even the belt-holder.”
“My concern is the guy in front of me, Timofey. I’d be disrespecting him if I thought about anybody else. But if I have my eyes on anything, it’s this shiny thing up here,” Alvarez added, pointing to Folayang’s belt. “I don’t really see a guy in front of it. I just want that world title. It’s the only one I don’t have. That’s all I’ve got my eyes on.”
As well as the lack of a weight cut, One’s rule set could also play into Alvarez’s hands – judges assess the whole fight instead of allocating points round by round.
“My intentions are always to go inside the cage and dominate my opponent from start to finish. I don’t try to win rounds,” Alvarez said.
“If you ever watch any of my fights, I’m not interested in trying to play the grey areas and the rules of MMA. I love the rule set, it’s old school PRIDE [former Japanese MMA promotion] and it’s great.”
Alvarez admitted he changed up his training regime for this fight, beginning his camp four months ago. He has been training with several UFC stars including bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes, Zabit Magomedsharipov and Dutch kick-boxer and MMA fighter Robin van Roosmalen.
“I’m considering the tournament, fighting all year long. I’ve had a number of training partners to help me prepare and help sharpen things up,” Alvarez said.
“It’s been a very long training camp, and not only was I concerned about getting my body ready but getting my mind sharp for what’s about to be ahead of me. My mind and body are ready, I’m ready to perform.”
