Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez breaks his silence after his loss to Dustin Poirier on Saturday.
On Saturday at UFC on FOX 30, former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez got his first taste of defeat after almost two years. “The Underground King” was stopped by Dustin Poirier in the second round via TKO, settling the score of their first fight more than a year ago which ended in a draw verdict.
The rematch was once again marred by some controversy when Alvarez threw a 12 to 6 elbow strike, which has been banned since the early days of the UFC. In a recent Instagram post, he explained what happened during that sequence.
“As for Mark Henry calling for an elbow in the heat of the moment. An angled elbow is an incredible shot from the position I was in,” Alvarez wrote. “It’s actually the only shot you can throw, we simply had a miscommunication. It happens in war more often than not, this was a case of ‘friendly fire’ and we ended up on the losing end of this battle.”
The Poirier fight was Alvarez’s last on his UFC contract, as he demands for better compensation for his next one. Whether he gets what he is asking for or not, he is looking to come back stronger in his next fights.
“Losing is never satisfying,” Alvarez wrote. “I don’t lose often but when I do I grow the most as a person/fighter. Adjustments will be made. If anything this loss will add to the joy of my next Victory!”
Below is Alvarez’s full statement:
There are no grey areas in Fighting , one man will lose and the other will win , this is why I love this game . Controversial calls , judging , and fan support can always add to the drama but in the end 1 will stand and 1 will fall . Hats off to Dustin and his team he stayed calm under pressure and fought beautifully this makes us 1-1 .
In no way will I judge Godard harshly , We have the same Job ! he has to make decisions in split seconds just like I do , and he makes them with my health and my opponents in mind . What’s done is done . As for Mark Henry calling for an elbow in the heat of the moment . An angled elbow is an incredible shot from the position I was in , it’s actually the only shot you can throw . We simply had a miscommunication, it happens in war more often than not , this was a case of “friendly fire” and we ended up on the losing end of this battle .
But let’s remember Ricardo and Mark are also responsible for my UFC world title , and wins over some of the greatest fighters in the UFC , He’s the hardest worker on our team , obsessive, detailed , and pushes us all to understand the opportunity we have in front of is on a world stage . He’s my coach , friend , and Been a mentor of mine for longer than most of you know .
Losing is never satisfying , I don’t lose often but when I do I grow the most as a person/fighter . Adjustments will be made , if anything this loss will add to the joy of my next Victory ! I want to thank my team , coaches , my family , and everyone who supports me in this journey . My family especially, the sacrifice falls on the back of my wife and our children . We experience great Joy in our victories and incredible Pain in our losses but our only other option is to avoid the experience and feel nothing at all .
We are grateful to be able to fight every time the walk is made to the octagon , and anxiously awaiting the the opportunity to make that walk again . Thank you @ufc . I was brought here , not to win , but to entertain…. Are you not entertained ???? T.H.N.Q
With the loss to Poirier, the 34-year-old Alvarez now drops to a record of 29-6 (with 1 NC and 23 wins by stoppage).