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Former champion Eddie Alvarez swaps UFC for One Championship in massive coup for Singapore-based rival MMA body

Former UFC lightweight champion ends free agency by signing with emerging Asian body

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Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez has switched to One Championship. Photo: AFP
Paul Ryding
Former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez has dropped a bombshell by confirming he has swapped Dana White’s Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for Singapore-based rival franchise One Championship.
UFC is the world leader in MMA governing bodies and boasts some of the biggest stars in the sport, but Alvarez’s signing significantly boosts the appeal of the Asian pretender which lists drawcards like Angela Lee, Aung La N Sang and the unbeaten but semi-retired American star Ben Askren among its ranks.

The signing is being seen as a massive statement of intent from One, which was established in 2011 but has quickly developed a huge audience with regular productions in the Asia-Pacific region.

One CEO and chairman Chatri Sityodtong called the signing of Alvarez “one of the biggest athlete signings” in the history of the promotion. He announced the news on his official Twitter account on Tuesday morning.

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Although terms of his new deal with One Championship were not disclosed, Alvarez indicated he was pleased with how the negotiations went.

“This couldn’t have went any smoother,” Alvarez said. “Didn’t take too long, everybody’s happy. I’m super excited. ‘The Underground King’ is coming to ONE FC [sic].”

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The 34-year-old Alvarez (29-6, 1NC) is a former title-holder in UFC as well as Bellator, but is perhaps best known for a crushing defeat to a rising Conor McGregor in the first defence of his lightweight title in November 2016.
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