Tag: Eddie Alvarez

Exclusive – David Feldman heaps praise on Mike Perry ahead of BKFC 56 return: ‘He’s a major, major star in combat sports’

David Feldman heaps praise on Mike Perry ahead of BKFC 56 he's a major star in combat sportsBKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) boss, David Feldman has claimed promotional poster boy, Mike Perry is nothing short of…

David Feldman heaps praise on Mike Perry ahead of BKFC 56 he's a major star in combat sports

BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) boss, David Feldman has claimed promotional poster boy, Mike Perry is nothing short of a “major star” across the combat sports sphere, as he gears up for an end-of-year clash with former UFC lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez in Utah. 

Perry, a former contender under the banner of the UFC, will make his return to the ring in December against former lightweight champion, Alvarez in a welterweight main event slot atop a BKFC 56 card in Salt Lake City. 

Embarking on a perfect three-fight winning run since landing in the above-mentioned, Feldman-led promotion, Michigan native, Perry most recently turned in an impressive second round win over former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold back in April. 

The victory came off the back of consecutive decision wins for Mike Perry over both former Bellator MMA welterweight title challenger, Michael Page, and The Ultimate Fighter veteran, Julian Lane – in what has proven to be a hugely successful venture for UFC alum, Perry.

David Feldman heaps praise on BKFC star, Mike Perry

And sharing his thoughts on the recent surge in stardom of Mike Perry, BKFC leader, Feldman claimed that while both the promotion and Perry helped each other rise, the former has cast himself into a new stratosphere as a definitive combat sports star. 

“You know, I think – and Mike (Perry) will say it, we helped each other,” David Feldman told LowKick MMA during a recent interview. “As we resurrected him from the UFC and we were able to help him become a – really I think, he’s a major, major star in combat sports now. At the same time, he talks very good about us. He knows what to say [and] when to say it. He’s just a walking, you know, a walking drop, he knows what to drop and when to drop it. And he does good, and talks good about the organization.”

“He’s a great guy, he’s a great family man,” Feldman explained. “So, I think – look, I always say this, whether I’m talking to sponsors, whether I’m talking to tv networks, whether I’m talking to fighters, I say, ‘Listen, we have to establish a great partnership.’ And if we establish a great partnership, then it works for everybody. And if it doesn’t work for everybody, it doesn’t work for anybody. 

Also featuring on that previously mentioned April card in Colorado, incoming BKFC 56 headliner, Alvarez debuted in the rising promotion with a close, split decision win over fellow former UFC star, Chad Mendes, following his departure from Singapore organization, ONE Championship. 

Who wins at BKFC 56: Mike Perry or Eddie Alvarez?

Breaking – Mike Perry set to fight ex-UFC champion Eddie Alvarez in BKFC 56 main event in December

Mike Perry vs. Eddie Alvarez set for BKFC 56 in December main event fight UFCFormer UFC welterweight contender, Mike Perry will headline opposite former Octagon champions for the second time in as many…

Mike Perry vs. Eddie Alvarez set for BKFC 56 in December main event fight UFC

Former UFC welterweight contender, Mike Perry will headline opposite former Octagon champions for the second time in as many fights this December, as the Michigan favorite takes on former UFC lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez atop a BKFC 56 (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) card on December 2. in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Perry, an alum of the UFC and three-fight veteran of the David Feldman-led BKFC, most recently featured atop a card in Broomfield, Colorado back in April, forcing a second round TKO stoppage win over former undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold in the event’s headliner.

On that same BKFC 41 card for the promotion, former UFC and Bellator MMA lightweight champion, Alvarez made his debut following the end of his tenure with ONE Championship, defeating former three-time UFC featherweight title challenger, Chad Mendes in a split decision win at the welterweight limit.

Mike Perry draws ex-UFC champion, Eddie Alvarez in December at BKFC 56

And according to a report from MMA Fighting reporter, Damon Martin this Wednesday evening, Mike Perry and Eddie Alvarez will share the ring on December 2. in ‘The Beehive State’ – atop a BKFC 56 card.

“Mike Perry vs. Eddie Alvarez official for #BKFC56 in December,” Martin posted on X. “This one has been in the works for quite a while but now it’s a done deal.”

Debuting in bare knuckle fighting back in February of last year, Perry took a debut decision win over The Ultimate Fighter alum, Julian Lane, before scoring a high-profile decision success against former Bellator MMA welterweight title challenger, Michael Page in London in August of last year. 

Set to make his sophomore BKFC walk, Philadelphia fan-favorite, Alvarez landed the undisputed UFC championship back in July 2016, stopping then-defending gold holder, Rafael dos Anjos with a blistering first round TKO win. 

Who wins at BKFC 56: Mike Perry or Eddie Alvarez?

Mike Perry hints at BKFC return, fight with ex-UFC champion Eddie Alvarez: ‘I’ll send him into retirement’

Mike Perry calls for fight with Eddie Alvarez BKFC gladly retire him UFCFormer UFC welterweight contender turned bare-knuckle fighter, Mike Perry, has claimed he would “gladly” retire former promotional lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez under the BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) banner, in his return to the promotion. Perry, a former welterweight contender under the banner of the UFC, has so far enjoyed an impressive three-fight undefeated run […]

Mike Perry calls for fight with Eddie Alvarez BKFC gladly retire him UFC

Former UFC welterweight contender turned bare-knuckle fighter, Mike Perry, has claimed he would “gladly” retire former promotional lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez under the BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) banner, in his return to the promotion.

Perry, a former welterweight contender under the banner of the UFC, has so far enjoyed an impressive three-fight undefeated run since landing in the David Feldman-led BKFC promotion, most recently headlining an April card in Colorado. 

And moving to 3-0 in bare knuckle fighting, Michigan striker, Perry defeated former undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold – forcing him into a second round retirement after fracturing the Californian’s tooth, landing a subsequent TKO victory.

Also appearing on that card, former UFC lightweight champion, Alvarez landed a split decision win over former UFC featherweight championship challenger, Chad Mendes in a co-main event slot – in his first venture back to combat sports since departing the Chatri Sityodtong-led ONE Championship. 

Mike Perry teases potential BKFC return against ex-UFC champion, Eddie Alvarez

Recently penning terms on a new deal with BKFC, promotional poster boy, Perry recently hinted at a potential fight with Philadelphia veteran, Alvarez down the line – claiming he would happily retire the veteran brawler.

“I don’t know if I was at peak performance, but if I meet him (Eddie Alvarez) at a fair weight, I heard he’s interested,” Mike Perry told MMA Fighting during a recent interview. “He must have some chip on his shoulder. I’ll gladly send him into retirement.” 

Prior to his TKO win over Santa Cruz native, Rockhold, Perry defeated former Bellator MMA welterweight title challenger, Michael Page in his sophomore BKFC clash, after a decision win over The Ultimate Fighter veteran, Julian Lane in a debut in February of last year.

Would you like to see Mike Perry fight Eddie Alvarez under the BKFC banner next?

Eddie Alvarez challenges Dustin Poirier to UFC trilogy fight: ‘I out dogged you in the first match’

Eddie Alvarez calls for trilogy fight Dustin Poirier in UFC I out dogged youHaving twice shared the Octagon with former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier, former undisputed division best, Eddie Alvarez has claimed if he was booked to fight the Lafayette striker in a trilogy bout, he would prevail with relative ease. Alvarez, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the banner of the UFC, most recently made a […]

Eddie Alvarez calls for trilogy fight Dustin Poirier in UFC I out dogged you

Having twice shared the Octagon with former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier, former undisputed division best, Eddie Alvarez has claimed if he was booked to fight the Lafayette striker in a trilogy bout, he would prevail with relative ease.

Alvarez, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the banner of the UFC, most recently made a combat sports walk under the BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) banner back in April, landing a close, split decision win over former featherweight championship challenger, Chad Mendes.

In his most recent professional mixed martial arts walk, Philadelphia native, Alvarez suffered a decision loss to Ok Rae Yoon under the Chatri Sityodtong-led ONE Championship banner, before departing the Singapore-based organization.

In the time since his outing in BKFC, Alvarez has also welcomed the prospect of a return to the UFC, to close out a trilogy with common-foe, Michael Chandler in the form of a rubber match, however, appeared to garner the attention of Louisianan favorite, Poirier on social media – offering him a third fight.

When replying to a post on X questioning whom was the most violent fighter between Poirier, Chandler, and BMF champion, Justin Gaethje, Alvarez replied “beat them all” – garnering a response from Poirier who wrote, “not me cuh”.

Eddie Alvarez issues challenge to UFC veteran, Dustin Poirier

In a reply to the former interim champion, Alvarez offered Poirier a trilogy bout, insisted he would “out-dog” him once more if they shared the Octagon again.

“You got it back in the 2nd fight, respect,” Eddie Alvarez posted on X in reply to Dustin Poirier. “But let’s be real… I out dogged you the first match up. I’d def do it again it we rumbled a 3rd.”

First fighting back in May 2017, Alvarez and Poirier fought to an official ‘No Contest’ after the former landed a series of knees to a grounded Poirier in the second round.

Rematching after Eddie Alvarez stopped common-foe, Gaethje with a thunderous third round KO, Poirier would emerge with a win over the former Bellator MMA lightweight champion with a second round TKO in the summer of the following year. 

As for Poirier, the lightweight veteran has yet to book his return since suffering a second round high-kick KO loss to Gaethje in the pair’s July rematch, however, stressed his desire to fight again before the close of the year. 

Would you like to see Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier fight for a third time?

Eddie Alvarez calls for UFC return, offers to fight Michael Chandler in trilogy fight: ‘I’d gladly do USADA’

Eddie Alvarez calls for UFC return offers to fight Michael Chandler in trilogy fightFormer undisputed lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez has called for a return to the UFC, offering to close out his rivalry with Michael Chandler in the form of a trilogy bout between the two. Alvarez, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the banner of the UFC, departed the promotion back in 2018, following a rematch stoppage […]

Eddie Alvarez calls for UFC return offers to fight Michael Chandler in trilogy fight

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez has called for a return to the UFC, offering to close out his rivalry with Michael Chandler in the form of a trilogy bout between the two.

Alvarez, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the banner of the UFC, departed the promotion back in 2018, following a rematch stoppage loss to former interim champion and common-foe, Dustin Poirier.

Taking his talents to the Chatri Sityodtong-led, ONE Championship in Singapore following his departure from the UFC, Philadelphia native, Alvarez most recently suffered a unanimous decision loss to Ok Rae Yoon back in April 2021.

As for Chandler, the current #5 ranked lightweight champion, has yet to return to the Octagon since he suffered an eventual third round rear-naked choke submission loss to the aforenoted, Poirier back in November of last year at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden.

Eddie Alvarez offers to fight Michael Chandler in potential UFC comeback

And with an expected fight between Chandler and would-be common-foe, former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor firmly up in the air, Alvarez, a former two-time opponent of Chandler, has offered to fight the Missouri veteran and in a trilogy bout and in a comeback to the Octagon to boot.

“Hey @MikeChandlerMMA you’ll never be without a potential opponent as long as I am still breathing, buddy,” Eddie Alvarez tweeted. “@danawhite @ufc know the deal. #trilogytime.” 

“I’d gladly do USADA 24/7 any day of the week,” Eddie Alvarez tweeted. “Before my last fight my testosterone was a staggering 375 and I felt like a machine. I been drug free my entire life. I’d test positive for lots of caffeine at best. Bring on the testing and opponents.” 

Twice competing during their gold laden professional careers, Alvarez and Chandler first met under the Bellator MMA banner back in November 2011, suffering a rear-naked choke to the latter, before avenging his submission loss to Chandler two years later in a close, split decision win. 

Eddie Alvarez lays down blueprint on how to beat UFC star Conor McGregor: ‘Wrestle him and slow him down’

Eddie Alvarez blueprint on how to beat Conor McGregor wrestle him and slow him down UFCFormer UFC lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez, believes Michael Chandler will need to fight smart and play to his strengths in order to have his hand raised against Conor McGregor. Chandler is slated to square off with the Irishman later this year once the pair wrap up their upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter. Premiering on […]

Eddie Alvarez blueprint on how to beat Conor McGregor wrestle him and slow him down UFC

Former UFC lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez, believes Michael Chandler will need to fight smart and play to his strengths in order to have his hand raised against Conor McGregor.

Chandler is slated to square off with the Irishman later this year once the pair wrap up their upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter. Premiering on May 30, the latest season of the UFC’s long-running reality series will pit the two lightweight leather-slingers against one another months before they step inside the Octagon.

Since making his promotional debut in 2021, Michael Chandler has established himself as one of the more exciting fighters in the UFC. Rather than using his wrestling skills, the former Bellator champion has opted to throw caution to the wind by letting his hands do the work. While it has made for a series of incredibly exciting contests inside the Octagon, it has also left Chandler with a less-than-stellar 2-3 record under the UFC banner. If Chandler hopes to score what would be the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career, he needs to play to his strengths. That’s the opinion of former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez.

Speaking with ESPN MMA, Eddie Alvarez suggested that Michael Chandler’s best path to victory is to use his wrestling, zapping McGregor of his cardio and leaving him without his legendary power in the later rounds.

“Mike Chandler’s a hell of an athlete, I just think stylistically the way he’s been fighting and the strategy he’s going about fighting isn’t the way to get it done against Conor McGregor,” Eddie Alvarez said. “I would implore him if I was his coach to change his style, to go for single legs, to go for shots, and force Conor to wrestle early.”

“You have to force him to wrestle early so he doesn’t have the powerful tools that he’s able to take advantage of in all these other guys. Wrestle him early enough and tire his shoulders down, tire his legs down, and slow him down and he’s half the striker that he can be when he’s fully energized.”

Eddie Alvarez urges Michael Chandler to fight “selfishly” for most success

Eddie Alvarez recognizes that Michael Chandler’s high-octane style has certainly made him a lot of money and immensely popular, but when it comes to capturing and keeping UFC gold, fighters need to use their best tools. Thus far, that is something Chandler simply has not done.

“The problem with Mike Chandler that I’m seeing is that he’s trying to please the fans too much,” Eddie Alvarez explained. “That doesn’t always win you a world title. Pleasing the fans is great, it’ll make you millions of dollars, it’ll do all that. But getting to the gold and keeping the gold, it’s sort of a selfish thing and maybe he needs to be a little more selfish in his game planning to win the fight rather than excite the crowd.”

Michael Chandler stormed into the UFC with a vicious first-round knockout of Dan Hooker at UFC 257. Since then, he has gone 1-3 inside the Octagon, though his losses have come against some of the absolute best fighters in the world; Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier. Aside from his win over Hooker, Chandler also holds a highlight-reel-worthy knockout victory over Tony Ferguson in May 2022.