Marquez Smashes, Strangles ‘Smile’n’ Sam Alvey

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Julian Marquez and Sam Alvey faced off in a Middleweight clash tonight (Sat., March 20, 2021) inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada at UFC Vegas 23. In an impressive showing, Marquez stopped…


UFC Fight Night: Alvey v Marquez
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Julian Marquez and Sam Alvey faced off in a Middleweight clash tonight (Sat., March 20, 2021) inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada at UFC Vegas 23. In an impressive showing, Marquez stopped his opponent in the second round.

Alvey backed himself into the fence almost immediately. Marquez stuck a couple good right hands to the mid-section. Alvey landed a couple short kicks, but Marquez found his chin twice in a good exchange. Big trade of punches along the fence! Alvey dug a left to the body. Right hand from Marquez stumbled his opponent, and “The Cuban Missile Crisis” flurried. He managed to drop Alvey to a knee, but the veteran endured and recovered. Marquez cracked his foe with a clean left hook. The two exchanged wildly after a brief clinch. Marquez landed another right as Alvey’s nose began to bleed. Alvey scored with his check hook near the end of the round and may have hurt his foe, but Marquez still scored a clean overhand before the bell.

Alvey ripped a hard right hook in the opening minute of the second. Cracking right hand from Marquez found a home. Another right hand from Marquez scored clean to the chin and wobbled Alvey. Marquez chased the finish hard, clubbing Alvey with big hooks and putting his foe on the ground. He continued to pound away, but Alvey showed his heart in trying to survive. Instead, Marquez wrapped up something of a rear naked choke, putting his foe to sleep.

Most of us somewhat expected Marquez to walk into counter right hooks — and he did a few times — but on the whole, this was a rather measured performance! Marquez feinted his way in, set up his overhand with crosses to the body, and generally picked the veteran apart in a very solid performance.

He’s now won two straight!

Result: Julian Marquez defeats Sam Alvey via second-round submission

For complete UFC Vegas 23: “Vettori vs. Holland” results and play-by-play, click HERE!