MMA Quick Quote: Eddie Alvarez giving his 'best performance' against Toby Imada at Bellator XXII on June 19

by Jesse Holland on Jun 18, 2009 11:33 AM EDT

Eddie Alvarez

"This will be my best performance to date, I plan on going out and displaying every act of MMA, to show the viewers that don’t know what MMA is and don’t quite understand the sport…I want to display that Bellator fighting is here to stay and we’re going to put on exciting shows. There’s no doubt in my mind that come June 19th that I’ll have my title and will continue to be a champion of Bellator."

Lightweight sensation Eddie Alvarez -- just one win away from capturing the Bellator Lightweight World Championship -- talks about preparing for the fight of his life against upset specialist Toby Imada (22-12) for a championship purse of $175,000 and the right to hold the first ever Lightweight World Championship title at this Friday's Bellator XXII event from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

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what a pic!

by Randy for Couture on Jun 18, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions

I dont mind Alvarez But I would like to see him fight better competition. I mean MMA weekly has him as the number 2 ranked LW ahead of BJ Penn and I just dont think he is there yet.

by lokie on Jun 18, 2009 11:49 AM EDT reply actions

I know there is A LOT of competition out there besides the UFC but I agree and think that anyone who is not in the UFC has other priorities than facing the best competition in the world.

In no way is that a knock on them however. Fedor wants to do Sambo too, more than he wants to fight fighters in the UFC (or better description, he doesnt want to be “controlled” by the UFC?) cool – I’m not losing sleep over it.

by WB on Jun 18, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Its hard to knock a guy for not fighting in the UFC when he is about to collect a check for $170,000…If he signs with the UFC, his initial contract wont be for anymore then $40k per fight TOPS!!!

as far as competition, in some cases you have to fight in the UFC but not when you are a lightweight. He faced Hellboy,Aoki, Kawajiri, Dida in a 1 year, and you guys are complaining about the level of his competition? the fighters I listed, for the most part are ranked a lot higher then 98% of UFC’s Lightweights.

To the casual fan, it might seem like you have to prove yourself by being in the UFC, buts thats far from the truth. As long as you are facing world class competition, it doesnt matter where the fight takes place… would GSP/Alves be less of a fight if it were taking place in my backyard sanctioned by a state commission with herb dean refing it? Of course not….it would still be an amazing fight…organization that fights take place in mean nOTHING…its the people you are fighting that matters!

by JOhn G on Jun 18, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I hoestly beleive is Aoki came to the UFC, you would see him lose

by lokie on Jun 19, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. Definitely should not be ranked there. Top 5 maybe, but the LW rankings are pretty messed up.

by Amos on Jun 18, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

eddie is lodged in my top 5 favorite fighters win, lose or draw he is a class act and a hell of a fighter

by Nokia on Jun 18, 2009 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

Im going to try and twitter from this event.

by El mexicutioner, formerly The Mexicutioner on Jun 18, 2009 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

what for?

by O damn he got caught on Jun 18, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

for free

by El Mexicutioner, formerly The Mexicutioner on Jun 18, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Eddie is a likable and exciting fighter. Even though I doubt he could even begin to piece together a title run in the UFC I’d love to see him engaged in some wars vs some top-flight competition.

That being said, I have to tip my hat to Bellator for putting itself on the map in short order with some good highlights and adding a world-class martial artist like Alvarez to its ranks.

by BarHard on Jun 18, 2009 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

so he could not have a title run in the ufc? who you think is a bad matchup for alvarez in the ufc besides the prodigy? lol…id surely pick alvarez against guys like flor,sherk,daddy,guida and alvarez vs nightmare would be sick by the way…

by gaara on Jun 19, 2009 3:36 AM EDT reply actions