— Below the Belt with Brendan Schaub (@btbshowtime) March 7, 2019
“The idea of free agency today is so undervalued,” Eddie Alvarez told Brendan Schaub on Below the Belt. “Fighters don’t understand. Fighters are captive, kind of, in their own mind thinking, ‘If I’m not here, I’m not going to make money,’ and that’s not the truth.
“There are arenas selling out for MMA all over the world and until you become a free agent and explore that, you’ll never know. When you look at the UFC’s model, $4.4 billion when you look at their model, what do they do? For their infancy, they were on Spike [TV]. They used Spike’s audience. They used everything about Spike and then they jumped to Fox, jumped to ESPN. They don’t re-sign.
“They don’t stay with a company, they use their leverage,” Alvarez continued. “They put up points for that company and then they go to the other girl who wants them even more. Why wouldn’t a fighter do the same thing? Why wouldn’t they become a free agent and go to the next girl who’s willing to pay them? It doesn’t make any sense.”
Eddie Alvarez has fought in several different MMA organizations over the course of his 36 fight career. Having held world titles in practically all of those as well, ‘The Underground King’ has definitely become aware of his value.
After a thrilling and long-awaited eight-fight UFC run, Alvarez explored his options once again and wound up settling with the Singapore-based powerhouse that is ONE Championship.
The former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion will look to capture some more gold in his new fighting home and that begins on May 31 at ONE: A New Era when he kicks off their lightweight Grand Prix against Timofey Nastyukhin.
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 3/7/2019
Surging lightweight MMA prospect Adrian Lee was caught off guard when hearing his name mentioned by ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo. Upon reflection, however, the teenage phenom believes the grappling specialist may face more than anticipated when transitioning to mixed martial arts.
“The Phenom” boasts a perfect 3-0 professional record, securing each victory within the ONE Championship Circle. His most recent triumph came this past March at ONE 172, where he finished Takeharu Ogawa in the opening round.
British Muay Thai icon Liam Harrison possesses encyclopedic knowledge of the art of eight limbs in the United Kingdom. The veteran striker believes the moment is right for ONE Championship to make its debut on British shores.
Over the past five years, ONE Championship has recruited exceptional talent from across the UK. Athletes like ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty, Nico Carrillo, and George Jarvis have established themselves as elite competitors on the global stage.
Losing someone close to you is always difficult to process. Currently, former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker is grappling with grief after the passing of a young training partner.
Depression and suicide represent a growing crisis among youth worldwide. The Brazilian striker has experienced this tragedy firsthand following the devastating decision made by a youthful teammate to end his own life.
Former three-sport queen Stamp Fairtex isn’t wallowing in despair while recovering from her knee injury. As her body heals, the Thai superstar is strengthening her mind by pursuing higher education with a Master’s degree.
Earlier this year, the combat sports phenom earned her bachelor’s degree in Digital Marketing with an impressive 3.62 GPA. This achievement demonstrates her dedication to excellence beyond the ONE Championship Circle.
Japanese striking star Kaito Ono will finally make his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 109 as one of Japan’s most prolific strikers arrives on the scene.
He will step inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium against Iranian standout Mohammad Siasarani. Their fight happens under featherweight kickboxing action on Friday, 23 May.
Former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama continues to ascend the flyweight Muay Thai division. He took a huge step closer to the division’s summit this past weekend.
The striking great defeated #3-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Kongthoranee Sor Sommai by unanimous decision. It happened in the main event of ONE Fight Night 31 on Friday, 2 May, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Two-weight ONE World Champion Anatoly Malykhin has heaped praise on rival and former two-division king Reinier de Ridder. But not before reminding everyone of his own prowess.
De Ridder scored his third consecutive stoppage victory in the UFC this past Saturday, 3 May, putting an end to the surging Bo Nickal in the second round by TKO.
The injury bug continues to loom large for Stamp Fairtex.
ONE Championship has announced that the Thai megastar has relinquished the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title after suffering a further setback while rehabbing her surgically repaired knee.
