‘We know what to do’

Fighting out of Philadelphia, the former UFC lightweight champion is targeting Stephens under the bare-knuckle boxing ruleset at BKFC. Stephens, also a former UFC fighter, fought for the company 34 times, so he was bound to hit Alvarez’s team at one point; actually, twice.

(Exclusive) Eddie Alvarez talks heated confrontation with Jeremy Stephens, non-champion dig

Stephens fought a killer fight at featherweight and lightweight that included former UFC champion Frankie Edgar and Zabit Magomedsharipov, one of the biggest and ifs in UFC history. The talented forward retired at age 31, shortly after a decision win over Stephens in 2019.

When Stephens fought Edgar, it was on one of the most famous stages in the world at Madison Square Garden at UFC 205, the first UFC event in New York in 2016. Stephens scored a knockdown, but Edgar controlled the fight for the most part. , winning. a decision. Later that night, Alvarez lost his lightweight title to Conor McGregor in the main event.

On January 25, Stephens and Alvarez collide at BKFC Knuckle Mania 5. Alvarez may already have an advantage over Stephens, coming from the same camp that beat “Lil Heathen” Stephens twice.

Eddie Alvarez Names UFC Veteran He Could Face Next in BKFC After Jeremy Stephens

“Frankie and I have been teammates for the last 20 years,” Alvarez told MMA Knockout. “I think my team fought Jeremy twice, we’re 2-0 against him. I think Frankie fought him and Zabit too. I think they were successful both nights. Mark Henry, my coach, knows a ton about him.”

Alvarez has a similar fighting style to Edgar, as well as a spirit – the never-give-up mentality has manifested itself throughout the former champions’ careers. Stephens (29-21) is a tough man to put aside, fighting the best in the world for years but suffering only three KO losses and scoring 18 in a 51-fight career.

“Frankie beat him with Frankie’s style,” Alvarez continued. “Frankie has a great style against someone like Jeremy. So Frankie, of course, as a teammate, he lets me know what I have available and the advantages I have, and that’s all we know.”

“We know what our team can do, our coaching staff, and we’re familiar with the style, so we know what needs to be done.”

Eddie Alvarez returns after more than a year away, following a TKO loss to Mike Perry at BKFC 56 in December 2023. Alvarez earned a decision victory over former UFC title challenger Chad Mendes in his debut at boxing earlier that year.

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Álvarez, 40, was 4-3 in the UFC, 1-2 in ONE Championship and 9-1 in Bellator.

Since this fight takes place at 165 pounds, the former champion doesn’t think Stephens will last all five rounds, not at this weight. Stephens fought at 145 pounds for much of his career, while Alvarez was one division above at 155 pounds, although “The Underground King” says 165 pounds would have been his “main” weight class.

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