Eddie Alvarez Reacts To Coach’s Controversial Elbow Call At UFC Calgary

It took a few days, but “The Underground King” Eddie Alvarez has reacted to the fallout from UFC Calgary.

The much-anticipated rematch between the self-proclaimed most violent man in the UFC and Dustin Poirier did not disappoint. In the end, Poirier earned a TKO victory over the former lightweight champion, albeit with some controversy.

Alvarez was doing well in the fight, and in top control of Poirier when he would inexplicably throw an illegal 12-to-6 elbow forcing referee Marc Goddard to stand the fighters up. Alverez would be looking at the rafters just 25 seconds later.

Always a class act, “The Underground King” holds no ill will towards referee Marc Goddard or his rival Poirier. Alvarez would issue something of a statement on Instagram explaining his position:

“Controversial calls, judging, and fan support can always add to the drama but in the end one will stand and one will fall,” Alvarez wrote on Instagram. “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 Goddard harshly, we have the same job,” he wrote. “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.”

Making an appearance on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show,” longtime Alvarez coach Mark Henry took complete ownership of the elbow, saying I was confused and it was a miscommunication. Alvarez, however, was quick to point out Henry is responsible for his success.

“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. “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 UFC.”

You can read Alvarez’ full Instagram post here:

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

A post shared by Eddie Alvarez (@ealvarezfight) on Aug 1, 2018 at 11:07am PDT

The former lightweight champion will now be forced to play the waiting game. Having fought out his contract, Alvarez could take his brand of violence elsewhere in the MMA world, or he may continue fighting the best lightweights in the UFC.

No matter what transpires, he won’t be blaming Henry.

The post Eddie Alvarez Reacts To Coach’s Controversial Elbow Call At UFC Calgary appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.