Sam Alvey is not planning on walking away from MMA and is determined to turn his fighting career around.
The longtime UFC fighter suffered a submission loss to Brendan Allen on the UFC Fight Night 200 main card Saturday. The defeat was the continuation of a big career slump for Alvey. He is winless in his past eight bouts with seven losses and one draw since September 2018.
Despite the rough stretch, Alvey won’t let this latest defeat keep him down and said he’s determined to get back in the win column.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t go my way again,” Alvey said in an Instagram video posted Sunday. “It’s very disappointing to me. I’ve put in the work, and I know he has, too, and everyone does, too. I know it’s a sport of inches and I’ve been inches short, so I have to figure it out – and I’m going to.
“I love what I do. I love this sport and everything about it. I’m going to take a little bit of time off – let my brain rest, let my body heal, and I’m not going to miss a day of practice. I’m going to get back in the room this Monday. So I love you guys. I love the support and thanks for everything.”
Alvey admitted there’s something missing in his game that’s led to his losing skid. The 35-year-old, who has more than 50 professional fights on his record and has been fighting since 2008, said he has no plans to hang up the gloves.
“I’ve lost a step,” Alvey said in a separate video posted to Instagram not long after his loss to Allen. “Something needs to change and I’m going to make the correction. I’m not done fighting, but I love this sport and you know what? God has blessed me. God – I raise God’s name on high. I would not have the career I’ve had without Him, and I really have had a good career. I’ve had a long career.
“I’ve had – shoot, that was my 23rd fight in the UFC. I’ve had a career that people dream of. I’m not done fighting, but I know I need to take a little bit of a hiatus.”
Sam Alvey says he’s not done fighting despite another UFC loss: ‘I have to figure it out’