Eddie Alvarez blames UFC business model for exit, saying One Championship offer was ‘too good to turn down’
Former UFC lightweight champion says ‘everyone expressed interest’ in him but that Singapore’s One Championship gives him chance to make history
The 34-year-old former UFC lightweight champion became a free agent after a TKO defeat by Dustin Poirier in July which left him fourth in the divisional rankings.
Alvarez claimed he had offers from all around the world and that “everyone expressed interest” before signing with Singapore-based One earlier this week.
“The UFC did their best, considering the average pay of an athlete at the UFC,” Alvarez told a conference call. “I believe they did a great job, they did their best to keep me. But they have a business model.
“They pay a certain amount for certain fighters for certain reasons, so everybody is a different case. It is what it is. No harm, no foul – but it’s business first with these promotions.