Eddie Alvarez

By FCF Staff

Eddie Alvarez doesn’t want to be public enemy number one at ONE Championship’s “Dawn of Heroes” card. But the former UFC and Bellator champ has warned Filipino fans that the nation’s Eduard Folayang, is in for a loss.

Alvarez will battle ONE’s former lightweight champ on Friday, in what will be a semifinal bout of the promotion’s lightweight grand prix. At a recent media event, Alvarez had this to say about the match-up, and what the Manila fans can expect.

Thank you Manila. I rarely come as a nemesis to a country. Usually, I’m the guy holding the belt. It’s unusual for me to be the bad guy, but I promise you if I’m the bad guy, I will not disappoint. I respect Eduard [Folayang]. I respect everything he’s done not just as a fighter, but also as a human being for his community. This is what this sport is all about. It’s beyond what goes on in the Circle. In the movies, heroes always prevail. The nemesis loses, he goes home and everybody’s happy. Unfortunately, that’s not the story here. You picked the wrong guy at the wrong time. I love you Manila. I respect you Eduard. Let’s have some fun.

The 35-year-old Alvarez (29-7, 1 no-contest) will be fighting for the first time since he was stopped by Timofey Nastyukhin in March.