If you come at Eddie Alvarez, you better not miss.
The former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion is preparing to face former title challenger Iuri Lapicus at ONE on TNT I, and noted comments from the Moldovan contender during their pre-fight conference call, where he stated his intention to end the career of “The Underground King” career in Singapore.
Reacting to the comments, Alvarez pulled rank on the 25-year-old and told the young contender to slow his roll with the pre-fight trash talk.
“I think if you ever threaten me with ending of my career, at first, you have to get a career,” Alvarez laughed. “You haven’t been around long enough to even have a career to threaten to take mine away. That’s how I feel about that. I think he’s green, I think he’s young, and I don’t think he’s been through the situations in my career in fourth and fifth rounds where I just think the experience level is too much. If I drag him into any kind of a fight (like) that I’ll beat him.”
Lapicus (14-1) surged into title contention with an unbeaten record and a string of first-round finishes but was TKO’d in the first round by champion Christian Lee at “ONE Championship 121: Inside the Matrix” last November. Now he’s looking to bounce back into title contention by defeating Alvarez (30-7), whose last outing saw him defeat former two-time lightweight champion Eduard Folayang in 2019.
Alvarez has captured championship gold in every major organization he’s fought for and plans on continuing that remarkable trend by adding the ONE Championship lightweight title – which is contested at 170 pounds – to his already packed trophy cabinet. He also said his pedigree speaks for itself and that, once he gets past Lapicus, he should be next up to challenge lightweight champ Christian Lee.
“I don’t feel I need to prove myself to anyone,” Alvarez said. “I can beat any champion in the world, just give me my title shot. I don’t know why we’re wasting time. After I beat Iuri Lapicus, then I’ll get my title shot. If this promotion sincerely thinks Christian Lee is the best welterweight in the world and that he can beat me, then prove it.
“I always thought champions came from everywhere, and I’m the guy who proved that right. I went to every organization and became champion. So the best in the world, as far as I’m concerned, it’s where I’m at.”
ONE on TNT I takes place Wednesday, April 7 at Singapore Indoor Stadium. The event airs on TNT and B/R Live.
Eddie Alvarez unfazed by Iuri Lapicus’ threat to end his career at ONE on TNT I
