Eddie Alvarez Officially Signs With ONE Championship
A multiple-time lightweight world champion is set to join The Home Of Martial Arts.
On Tuesday, 16 October, Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez officially agreed to terms with ONE Championship.
The 34-year-old American, who is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is known for his elite wrestling and tremendous knockout power. He holds a 29-6 (1 NC) professional record, with 18 of his career victories coming via TKO.
Please join me in welcoming Eddie Alvarez (29-6) to ONE Championship! Eddie is not only one of the greatest…
Posted by Chatri Sityodtong on Monday, October 15, 2018
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong shared Alvarez’s reaction in an online video.
“The moment of truth has arrived. I know you’ve heard the rumors, and they are true. We got our official contract from ONE Championship, and we’re all signed up,” the American said, before showing a trophy case that holds his title belts with one slot noticeably vacant.
“I am super excited. ‘The Underground King’ is coming to ONE Championship, and in preparation, I left that shelf there empty. You guys know what that’s for. I’m coming, get ready.”
Please join me in welcoming Eddie Alvarez to @ONEChampionship! I am super excited for our fans to witness Eddie's high octane, explosive dynamite KO style. Stay tuned for more big news! @Ealvarezfight pic.twitter.com/bM3K0COlie
— Chatri Sityodtong (@yodchatri) October 16, 2018
Alvarez made his professional mixed martial arts debut in December 2003, and he has since become one of the sport’s most entertaining and successful competitors.
After claiming three welterweight titles, “The Underground King” dropped to lightweight and, in 2008, he became a fan favorite in the Japan-based DREAM promotion.
During this time, the roots of an epic rivalry with Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki were planted.
On New Year’s Eve in 2008, the Japanese legend submitted him via heel hook in the first round. The American evened the score in April 2012 by defeating the Asian martial arts icon via first-round TKO.
Following his time in Japan, Alvarez returned to the North American mixed martial arts scene, where he reigned as a lightweight world champion in two separate promotions.
Now, he joins ONE Championship, where he will attempt to become the first person to hold a third major world title.
Fans will be salivating at the thought of “The Underground King” squaring off against the likes of former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, Singaporean Muay Thai Champion Amir Khan, explosive Turkish juggernaut Saygid “Dagi” Guseyn Arslanaliev, and Russian knockout artist Timofey Nastyukhin, among many others.
Also, there is a very realistic chance the long-awaited trilogy bout between Alvarez and Aoki could finally happen, and there is no better venue to hold such a landmark event than in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
ONE Championship continues to sign the world’s best talent, and there is no doubt Alvarez will deliver his very best as he begins his quest to capture the ONE Lightweight World Title.
