Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez (21-2) is ranked near the top of the pile when it comes to the World’s 155 lb fighters, but he fails to gain that respect at times from the fans and from rival promotions because he doesn’t belong to the UFC or Strikeforce.
Alvarez will get the chance to show the world why he’s won eleven of his past twelve fights when he defends his title against Pat Curran for the first time on April 2 at Bellator 39 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Curran might be a familiar name for mixed martial arts fans but it isn’t a one that many would ever consider as a threat to any of the worlds top lightweights, Alvarez feels otherwise. Alvarez fears what Curran could do in the cage in April, that a victory for the unfamiliar fighter will launch his name in bright lights while Alvarez’ own falls into obscurity.
“Pat poses a lot of threats. He’s young, he’s hungry. This is going to be the best condition he’s ever been. It better be. He hasn’t got the respect of the fans yet, so that fire is still burning. You’ve got to watch for guys like that. He’s talented. He has good fighting instincts. He has the ability to become a champion…When I think about it, the anxiety in me increases, and when that happens, I can’t stand still, I can’t get out of the gym. I’m up early, I’m home late. My anxiety increases because I can’t have a guy that is not well known take my name, take my spot. It sounds weird. People think you don’t have to be worried about this guy. No, on the contrary, you better be f—— worried for this guy because this is the guy who can completely erase you from the rankings and take your name in the blink of an eye and in one fight. That fire’s there. That fear is there like it’s never been against guys like this.”
To help him become the best and train for this fight, Alvarez even spends time each week training with UFC champion Frankie Edgar. Check out the entire article and Alvarez’ comments about training with Edgar at MMAFighting.com.