Eddie Alvarez

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

Eddie Alvarez
200px
Born (1984-01-11) January 11, 1984 (age 40)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Other names The Silent Assassin
Residence Miami, Florida, United States
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Weight 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
Division Lightweight (155 lb)
Welterweight (170 lb)
Reach 69.0 in (175 cm)[1]
Fighting out of Boca Raton, Florida, United States
Team Blackzilians
Years active 2003–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 30
Wins 26
By knockout 14
By submission 7
By decision 5
Losses 4
By knockout 1
By submission 2
By decision 1
Notable school(s) Northeast Catholic High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Edward "Eddie" Alvarez[2] is an American mixed martial artist that currently competes in the UFC. Alvarez is the two-time and former Bellator Lightweight Champion. He has also competed for the Japanese DREAM promotion, where he made his name in their inaugural Lightweight Grand Prix and also fought once for ProElite's EliteXC promotion. Alvarez is currently ranked the #4 lightweight in official UFC rankings,[3] and the #5 lightweight in the world by Sherdog.[4]

Background

Of Puerto Rican and Irish descent,[5][6] Alvarez was born and raised in Kensington, Philadelphia, a rough neighborhood with a reputation for violent crimes and an abundance of street narcotics.[7] Alvarez competed in wrestling at Northeast Catholic High School where he was a two-time National Prep All-American, and placed sixth in both 2000 and 2001 at the National Prep School Wrestling Championships in the 145 lb weight class.[8] After high school, Alvarez immediately pursued a professional career in MMA with his first fight coming after only eight months of formal training.

Mixed martial arts career

Alvarez won the MFC Welterweight Championship in his seventh professional fight in June 2006 when he defeated Derrick Noble via KO at just 1:01 of the first round. The MFC Welterweight Championship would later be re-branded the BodogFIGHT Welterweight Championship.[7]

In spite of the fact that many insiders didn't view 170 pounds to be Alvarez's best competitive fighting weight, he continued to fight larger opponents because he relished the challenge of testing his mettle against bigger fighters.[9] At Bodog Fight's "Clash of the Nations" pay per view in Russia on April 14, 2007, Alvarez's size disadvantage would be exposed, as he suffered his first career loss when he was TKO'd by UFC veteran Nick Thompson at 4:32 into round 2.

After deciding to leave Bodog, Alvarez quickly found a new home in EliteXC where he competed in their 160-pound division against Ross Ebanez, winning by TKO.[10]

A few weeks prior to the first event, it was announced that the upstart Japanese promotion DREAM, started by the minds behind PRIDE FC and K-1 had signed Alvarez to compete in their 154-pound grand prix.

His initial fight was against Andre Amade, another potent striker, hailing from the notorious Chute Boxe Academy. During the fight, Alvarez was dropped by a strong right hand, but was able to recover and use his superior wrestling skills to score a TKO due to strikes from mount late in the first round.[11]

Alvarez advanced to the second round of the tournament where he defeated top ranked Lightweight fighter Joachim Hansen on May 11, 2008 by unanimous decision in an exciting fight. Hansen, who was known for his ability to take a punch, was dropped twice in the fight and dazed numerous other times by Alvarez's strikes.[12]

In his fight at the Dream 5: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 Final Round, Alvarez knocked out top ranked Lightweight fighter Tatsuya Kawajiri in the tournament's semi-finals. The fight was awarded Fight of the Year by Sherdog for 2008. However, he was unable to advance in the tournament due to a cut and severe swelling under his right eye. Alvarez's replacement was Joachim Hansen, whom he defeated two months earlier. Hansen went on to win the tournament and capture the DREAM lightweight title.

Alvarez was scheduled to face UFC and PRIDE veteran Nick Diaz for the EliteXC 160 pound title on November 8, 2008.[13] but that fight was scrapped when EliteXC's parent ProElite closed its doors and filed for bankruptcy. On New Year's Eve 2008 Alvarez fought against Shinya Aoki at K-1 Dynamite!! 2008, losing by submission in the first round. He has since been signed to an exclusive contract with Bellator Fighting Championships.[14]

Bellator Fighting Championships

Alvarez entered Bellator's lightweight tournament at Bellator's inaugural event on April 3, 2009. He fought against Greg Loughran, who landed a left hook which caused Alvarez to buckle his legs. Alvarez survived, however, and submitted Loughran with a guillotine choke.[15] His next fight at the tournament's semi-finals took place four weeks later at Bellator 5, against Eric Reynolds. After controlling the bout for two rounds, Alvarez used a rear-naked choke to submit Reynolds in the third.[16]

Alvarez advanced to the lightweight tournament's finals, which took place at Bellator 12 on June 19, 2009. He fought and defeated Toby Imada, via a rear naked choke submission early in the second round, to become Bellator's first ever lightweight champion.[17]

Alvarez faced Josh Neer in a non-title "Super fight" on May 6, 2010 at Bellator 17 in which he showed great wrestling and standup to go on to defeat Neer by way of rear-naked choke at 2:08 of round 2 as the choke was so well sunk in Neer would pass out from hypoxemia.[18]

Alvarez was supposed to fight the Season 2 Lightweight Tournament Winner Pat Curran in a defense of his title, but his opponent was pulled from the card due to an injury in his right shoulder. He instead faced Roger Huerta at Bellator 33 held in his hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[19] He won the fight via TKO (doctor stoppage) between the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Alvarez has publicly stated he wants his next fight to be against current Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, Gilbert Melendez.

Alvarez defeated Pat Curran on April 2, 2011 via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45) to retain the Bellator Lightweight Championship at Bellator 39.[20]

Alvarez faced Michael Chandler on November 19, 2011 at Bellator 58 in what was called by many publications as the '2011 Fight of the Year'.[21] He was defeated by Chandler by rear naked choke in the fourth round. Chandler came in very aggressive in the first round, nearly finishing Alvarez. In the third round, Alvarez landed many shots,one in particular stunning Chandler. The last round, Chandler caught Alvarez with a right hand and got on top before taking Alvarez's back and locking in the choke forcing the tap.

Alvarez faced Shinya Aoki in a rematch at Bellator 66.[22] He won the fight via TKO in the first round after dropping Aoki and finishing him with ground and pound.

Alvarez faced Patricky Freire at Bellator 76, and defeated Freire in the first round via KO. This was the last fight on Alvarez's contract with Bellator and he passed the organization's contractual period of exclusive negotiation. Alvarez agreed on principle to a new contract with the UFC, reportedly including a share of pay-per-view revenue in addition to show and win money. Bellator, however, invoked a clause in the original contract to match the UFC's offer and re-sign Alvarez, matching the show and win purse and alleging that the pay-per-view cut in the UFC's offer to be strictly hypothetical. Alvarez and his management have since filed two lawsuits against Bellator.[23]

On August 13, 2013, it was announced that Alvarez and Bellator had reached an agreement regarding his contract status. Alvarez faced Michael Chandler on November 2, 2013 at Bellator 106.[24] He won via split decision in a close fight to become the Bellator Lightweight Champion for the second time. Much like the first time they met, Alvarez and Chandler engaged in another highly praised,[25][26] back and forth battle. In the early rounds, Alvarez's jab and punching combinations found their home, damaging the left eye of Chandler, while Chandler was able to land multiple take down attempts and slams, and threatened a rear naked choke. The third round saw Eddie land with some crisp combinations. In the fourth round, Chandler landed a flying knee and some brutal ground and pound which hurt Eddie. By the fifth round, both fighters were busted up and bleeding badly. Chandler caught Alvarez in a neck crank, but Alvarez escaped and nearly finished the fight two times with rear-naked choke attempts. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney called the fight the best he'd ever seen. The decision was not without some controversy, with several media outlets scoring the fight for Chandler.[27]

Rebney stated in the post fight press conference that the two will meet again in a rubber match, possibly on pay-per-view, once they both have recuperated. A third fight with Michael Chandler was set up for the main event of Bellator 120 on May 17, 2014. However, a week before the fight, it was announced that Alvarez had suffered a concussion and was forced to pull out of the fight.[28][29]

In August 2014, new Bellator MMA president Scott Coker announced that Alvarez had been released from his contract with the promotion.[30]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On August 19, 2014, the UFC announced that they had signed Alvarez to a contract. He made his promotional debut against fan favorite and top contender Donald Cerrone in the co-main event at UFC 178 on September 27, 2014.[31][32] Despite landing a series of flurries on Cerrone in a clinch during the first round, Cerrone recovered from a slow start and ended up controlling the rest of the fight with leg kicks that eventually hurt Alvarez. Alvarez lost the fight via a unanimous decision.[33]

Alvarez was expected to face Benson Henderson on January 18, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 59.[34] However, Alvarez pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Donald Cerrone.[35]

Alvarez faced Gilbert Melendez on June 13, 2015 at UFC 188.[36] Alvarez won the fight by split decision.[37]

Alvarez is expected to face Anthony Pettis on January 17, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 81.[38]

Personal life

Alvarez utilized the financial success to move his family out of Kensington and into Northeast Philadelphia following the birth of his first son, Eddie Jr.[39]

Alvarez made two appearances on the television show Bully Beatdown on MTV, where he knocked out both of his opponents.[40]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

  • BodogFIGHT
    • BodogFIGHT Welterweight Championship (One time; First)
  • Mixed Fighting Championships
    • MFC Welterweight Championship (One time; First; Last)
  • Reality Fighting
    • Reality Fighting Welterweight Championship (One time; First)
  • FightBooth.com
    • 2012 King of Violence Award[41]
  • fightmatrix.com
    • Lineal MMA Lightweight Championship (One Time)
    • Two successful defences

Amateur wrestling

  • National Prep School Wrestling Championships
    • National Prep All-American (2000, 2001)

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 29–5 (1) Justin Gaethje KO (knee) UFC 218 December 2, 2017 3 3:59 Detroit, Michigan, United States Fight of the Night.
NC 28–5 (1) Dustin Poirier NC (illegal knees) UFC 211 May 13, 2017 2 4:12 Dallas, Texas, United States Alvarez landed illegal knees to Poirier's head who was a downed opponent.
Loss 28-5 Conor McGregor TKO (punches) UFC 205 November 12, 2016 2 3:04 New York City, New York City, United States Lost the UFC Lightweight Championship.
Win 28-4 Rafael dos Anjos TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez July 7, 2016 1 3:49 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Won the UFC Lightweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win 27-4 Anthony Pettis Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz January 17, 2016 3 5:00 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Win 26–4 Gilbert Melendez Decision (split) UFC 188 June 13, 2015 3 5:00 Mexico City, Mexico Melendez tested positive for testosterone metabolites of an exogenous origin.
Loss 25–4 Donald Cerrone Decision (unanimous) UFC 178 September 27, 2014 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 25–3 Michael Chandler Decision (split) Bellator 106 November 2, 2013 5 5:00 Long Beach, California, United States Won the Bellator Lightweight Championship
Win 24–3 Patricky Freire KO (head kick and punches) Bellator 76 October 12, 2012 1 4:54 Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Win 23–3 Shinya Aoki TKO (punches) Bellator 66 April 20, 2012 1 2:14 Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Loss 22–3 Michael Chandler Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 58 November 19, 2011 4 3:06 Hollywood, Florida, United States Lost the Bellator Lightweight Championship.
Win 22–2 Pat Curran Decision (unanimous) Bellator 39 April 2, 2011 5 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Defended the Bellator Lightweight Championship.
Win 21–2 Roger Huerta TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 33 October 21, 2010 2 5:00 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Non-title bout.
Win 20–2 Josh Neer Technical Submission (standing rear-naked choke) Bellator 17 May 6, 2010 2 2:08 Boston, Massachusetts, United States Catchweight (160 lbs) bout.
Win 19–2 Katsunori Kikuno Submission (arm-triangle choke) Dream 12 October 26, 2009 2 3:42 Osaka, Japan
Win 18–2 Toby Imada Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 12 June 19, 2009 2 0:38 Hollywood, Florida, United States Bellator Season One Lightweight Tournament Final; Won the Bellator Lightweight Championship.
Win 17–2 Eric Reynolds Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 5 May 1, 2009 3 1:30 Dayton, Ohio, United States Bellator Season One Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 16–2 Greg Loughran Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 1 April 3, 2009 1 2:44 Hollywood, Florida, United States Bellator Season One Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Loss 15–2 Shinya Aoki Submission (heel hook) Fields Dynamite!! 2008 December 31, 2008 1 1:32 Saitama, Japan For the WAMMA Lightweight Championship.
Win 15–1 Tatsuya Kawajiri TKO (punches) Dream 5: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 Final Round July 21, 2008 1 7:35 Osaka, Japan Dream Lightweight Grand Prix Semifinal. Didn't compete in final round due to eye injury.
Win 14–1 Joachim Hansen Decision (unanimous) Dream 3: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 Second Round May 11, 2008 2 5:00 Saitama, Japan Dream Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 13–1 Andre Amade TKO (punches) Dream 1: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 First Round March 15, 2008 1 6:47 Saitama, Japan Dream Lightweight Grand Prix Opening Round.
Win 12–1 Ross Ebañez KO (punches) ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series January 25, 2008 2 2:32 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Catchweight (165 lbs) bout.
Win 11–1 Matt Lee Decision (unanimous) BodogFight: Alvarez vs. Lee July 14, 2007 3 5:00 Trenton, New Jersey, United States
Loss 10–1 Nick Thompson TKO (punches) BodogFight: Clash of the Nations April 14, 2007 2 4:32 Saint Petersburg, Russia Lost BodogFIGHT Welterweight Championship.
Win 10–0 Scott Henze TKO (corner stoppage) BodogFight: Costa Rica Combat February 16, 2007 1 4:13 San José, Costa Rica
Win 9–0 Aaron Riley KO (punches) BodogFight: USA vs. Russia December 2, 2006 1 1:05 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Won the MFC Welterweight Championship; Later promoted to BodogFIGHT Welterweight Champion.
Win 8–0 Hidenobu Koike TKO (punches) MARS 4: New Deal August 26, 2006 1 1:26 Tokyo, Japan
Win 7–0 Derrick Noble KO (punches) MFC: Russia vs. USA June 3, 2006 1 1:01 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 6–0 Daisuke Hanazawa TKO (punches) Euphoria: USA vs. Japan November 5, 2005 1 4:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 5–0 Danil Veselov TKO (punches) Euphoria: USA vs. Russia May 14, 2005 2 2:15 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 4–0 Seichi Ikemoto TKO (punches) Euphoria: USA vs. The World February 26, 2005 2 4:25 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 3–0 Chris Schlesinger Submission (punches) Reality Fighting 7 October 16, 2004 1 1:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won the inaugural Reality Fighting Welterweight Championship.
Win 2–0 Adam Fearon Submission (punches) Ring of Combat 6 April 24, 2004 1 2:06 Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States
Win 1–0 Anthony Ladonna KO (punch) Ring of Combat 5 December 14, 2003 1 3:57 Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. http://boxing.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/boxingnvgov/content/results/2014_Results/09-27-14MMA.pdf
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. MMA Weekly - EDDIE ALVAREZ GEARING UP FOR ESPN-BELLATOR Archived 23 July 2009 at WebCite
  6. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
  8. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links