Eddie Alvarez interested in bout against Gilbert Melendez: I just really want to hit this guy

Several years ago, a match-up between then-champions Eddie Alvarez and Gilbert Melendez was arguably one of the hottest fights one could make in the…

By: Karim Zidan | 9 years ago
Eddie Alvarez interested in bout against Gilbert Melendez: I just really want to hit this guy
Bloody Elbow 2.0 | Anton Tabuena

Several years ago, a match-up between then-champions Eddie Alvarez and Gilbert Melendez was arguably one of the hottest fights one could make in the lightweight division.

Fast forward several years later, both competitors are now a part of the UFC roster, and are both on a losing streak with the promotion. However, that has not stopped either man from campaigning for the fight.

“I beat this guy every time out,” Alvarez said. “With everything in me. I don’t know how he feels about his fight skills, but the things that he’s good at — his style — I’m better at. I hit harder, I’m stronger, I feel like I’m faster. I just really want to hit this guy. I’m excited about it.”

While neither fighter has signed a bout agreement, they have feuded consistently on social media, and even bickered over the conflicting dates they would rather fight on. It is just the latest chapter of a feud that dates back several years.

“If he’s not making headlines, he’ll say he wants to fight the guy who is,” Alvarez said. “He always would talk about me. I just lost, but when I was on a streak and doing well, whenever I would do well, right away, well Gilbert wants to fight me. I didn’t do so well? ‘Oh, I think he lost a step. I don’t want to fight him right now.’ I don’t know. I don’t know about this guy.”

With both fighters coming off a recent loss, the timing for this match-up is quite organic. However, the two fighters need to agree on a date for the bout, as that remains their only obstacle.

“I don’t think [any contract] was made for it, but I think it’s just him saying he wants to fight me. I agree, so there’s nothing for me to sign. My word is as good as gold. I’m good with the fight.”

Transcription taken from MMAFighting.com.

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About the author
Karim Zidan
Karim Zidan

Karim Zidan is a investigative reporter and feature writer focusing on the intersection of sports and politics. He has written for BloodyElbow since 2014 and has served as an associate editor since 2016. He also writes for The New York Times and The Guardian. Karim has been invited to speak about his work at numerous universities, including Princeton, and was a panelist at the South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival and the Oslo Freedom Forum. He also participated in the United Nations counter-terrorism conference in 2021. His reporting on Ramzan Kadyrov’s involvement in MMA, much of which was done for Bloody Elbow, has led to numerous award nominations, and was the basis of an award-winning HBO Real Sports documentary.

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