Eddie Alvarez is an interesting UFC champion. Many fans have only seen his UFC run - a debut loss, a pair of close and debated decision wins, and then a surprise upset KO win to claim the UFC Lightweight title. And many fans may not have seen Alvarez at his violent best. But the history of Eddie Alvarez goes much deeper, with some of the most legendary fights outside of the UFC in the past decade.
Here then, to get ready for UFC 205 and Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor, are the essential Eddie Alvarez fights you need to see. Here’s what’s to be found in the playlist:
- Eddie Alvarez vs. Joachim Hansen (Dream.3, 5/11/08) - This was Alvarez’s major breakout win, the one that showed he could not only be exciting, he could win the big fight. Alvarez was 13-1 at the time, facing a highly decorated veteran in the Dream Lightweight tournament. He took the fight to Hansen in a remarkable fight - my personal pick for Fight of the Year that year.
- Eddie Alvarez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri (Dream.5, 7/21/08) - Two months later, Alvarez is back in the semifinals of that Dream tournament, taking on another more accomplished veteran. Again, Alvarez threw down in a wild slugfest, and again, he emerged victorious. Sadly, an injury from this fight would keep him out of the tournament finals later that night. This won Fight of the Year honors from some polls as well - consider the fact that two months apart, Alvarez was in two separate fights that were recognized as Fight of the Year. Remarkable.
- Eddie Alvarez vs. Michael Chandler (Bellator 58, 11/19/11) - In many ways, this is the fight that really put Bellator on the map - their first true Fight of the Year candidate, and a fight that still holds up five years later. It was an incredible war of attrition, with both men giving so much. Yes, Alvarez loses, but the heart he showed here speaks volumes about the kind of fighter he is.
- Eddie Alvarez vs. Michael Chandler II (Bellator 106, 11/2/13) - Two years later, and after a contract dispute that cost Alvarez a year of his prime career, the two rematched. It went much like the first, if maybe just a step below in terms of overall match quality. But what this one showed was the ability of Alvarez to come back from adversity. Of his 4 career losses, he’s twice had the chance to avenge the loss in a rematch, and he’s succeeded both times. This one also shows off his often overlooked wrestling.
- Eddie Alvarez vs. Rafael Dos Anjos (UFC Fight Night, 7/7/16) - The reason Alvarez is main eventing UFC 205. I don’t think anyone expected this kind of Alvarez win here - a blitzing, 3 minute KO and his first stoppage win since 2012. It was a surprise, but looking back at this collection of fights, it probably shouldn’t have been.
Will Alvarez add another highlight reel performance at UFC 205, or will he find himself on the list of essential Conor McGregor fights? We find out Saturday night.