It’s been almost four months since he was brutally knocked out by Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez has still yet to book a fight.
The Underground King still wants to compete at the highest level of the sport. After all, that’s pretty much what he’s been doing his entire career.
In Japan he had the Tatsuya Kawajiris and the Shinya Aokis to deal with. In Bellator, there was always a Michael Chandler, a Toby Imada or a Patricky Pitbull to fight. Then when he got to the UFC, things kicked up a notch.
He was thrown straight into the fire with his debut, dropping a decision to fan-favourite Donald Cerrone. After that he fought nothing but champions or former champions as he took on Gilbert Melendez, Anthony Pettis, Rafael dos Anjos before Conor McGregor brought his streak to a grinding halt.
“I'm not any happier of a man” https://t.co/0huNYkS2vU
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 6, 2017
Alvarez explained on Monday’s MMA Hour that he has been offered fights, but none have tickled his fancy. After reaching such dizzying heights in the sport, he doesn’t want to take too many steps back down the ladder. With the interim lightweight title fight at UFC 209 falling through, Alvarez is ready to step in to take on either Khabib Nurmagomedov or Tony Ferguson.
“No, we’re not 100%. They’ve kind of hinted at opponents, but nothing I really liked or got me excited, so I really wanted to see this fight happen and see what happened with this fight. So what’s going on with Khabib (Nurmagomedov) and Tony (Ferguson) and that sort? If one of them guys aren’t going to fight, I’d like to fight one of them guys.”
The former champion revealed that he had been thrown some names including Dustin Poirier and streaking 155-er Michael Chiesa. While he is open to fighting Poirier, he wouldn’t settle for the higher-ranked Chiesa, but Nate Diaz is who he really has in his sights outside the number one and two contenders.
“There was a guy from Ultimate Fighter and recently Dustin Poirier was another name. Actually, I could see myself getting excited for this fight, but I really thought that Nate Diaz would have fought me. He said a lot of stuff in Mexico. He looks at me funny in lobbies and shit. I’m like ‘worst comes to worst, Nate will definitely fight me.’ I was actually shocked when they gave him a bout agreement and he said no to that. I thought he would fight me for sure.”
“There’s zero for me to gain in this fight. I lost, no doubt I lost, but I don’t want to go that far back. I’d rather fight a big name like a Nate Diaz or somebody who’s done the work that I’ve done or fought the guys that I’ve fought not someone who hasn’t fought anyone yet.”
