Eddie Alvarez says his disqualification loss at ONE on TNT was a ‘bad call’ and wants it to be overturned.
Eddie Alvarez knows he won at ONE on TNT 1 on Wednesday night, which is why he is calling for his disqualification loss to Iuri Lapicus to be overturned.
Alvarez shot in for a takedown early in the fight and pressed Lapicus up against the cage. He started to throw several right hands to the head of Lapicus, but was warned by referee Justin Brown to watch for the placement of those as they appeared to hit the back of the head.
Alvarez resumed, but was stopped once Lapicus fell back to the canvas after absorbing the same kind of punches he was previously admonished about. Alvarez protested and said they were to the ear, but Brown disagreed and issued a red card that disqualified him.
Although he was still upset over how it ended, Alvarez gathered his wits and watched the fight again. He determined he did nothing wrong and would like to see the call be changed.
“I went back to my room and I was able to watch the clip of the fight and see everything and it was a bad call on the referee’s side,” said Alvarez during his post-fight press conference. “The American media is in uproar right now and so are the American fans. I’m going to respectfully ask them to look back at the video and reverse the call.”
An unfortunate ending like this usually warrants an immediate rematch, but that is the last thing Alvarez is thinking about. Like he did during his post-fight interview with the commentary booth, Alvarez sent his well wishes to Lapicus and hoped for a speedy recovery.
“All that matters is Iuri’s safety. That’s it right now. That he’s going to be okay. When I go back, I’m inside the cage, emotions run high and the referee — people make bad decisions when emotions are high. I think it was a bad call. I’m mixed emotions right now.”
Alvarez said that before anything else happens, he would like to speak with ONE championship to see what can be done about the disqualification. The promotion serves as its own commission and regulates its events, so the decision to overturn this loss lies with them.
Alvarez believes the situation will be corrected after ONE championship reviews the replay of the fight.
“I don’t see how it’s not overturned,” said Alvarez. “Look, I don’t discredit anyone based on what happens inside that cage. Referee, judging, all that. I mean, it’s high emotions and you have to make decisions based on a split second. I think the replay and after everybody goes back and looks and they’ll see everything was done righteously. I won fair and square and I’m not trying to anger anyone or climb up any trees. I won tonight. I won and I just hope that they go back and look at it and they reverse the decision.
“I’ve made bad decisions in my past and I’ll be a man and step up and say that it was wrong, continued Alvarez. “Tonight, I won and I think the American media and a lot of media know that I did and are pissed off about it.”