Eddie Alvarez’s run with the UFC was pretty successful by any standard. After all, he did win the promotion’s lightweight championship. But, recently the rugged fighter claimed his title shot materialized, despite the fact matchmaker Joe Silva, apparently, didn’t want him to have it.

Eddie Alvarez

Alvarez takes poke at Silva

The former Bellator champ arrived in the UFC in 2014, and dropped a decision loss to Donald Cerrone in his Octagon debut. After that, however, Alvarez grinded his way to victories over former Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez, and then former UFC champ Anthony Pettis.

Well, following his win over Pettis, Alvarez was booked to fight champion Rafael dos Anjos in the summer of 2016. But, Alvarez claims he was tapped for a title shot, even though Silva blasted him for his performance against Pettis.

“Ok ok …. so I am in the restaurant of a hotel a few weeks after the Anthony Pettis fight eating by myself and next to me is Joe Silva with a group of buddies and I believe Sean Shelby they are having some drinks.

I never interacted with Joe but I took the time to introduce (myself). Next I ask who my next opponent could possibly be and half joking half serious ask for the champion if he’s available.

Joe took the opportunity to tell me with the way I am fighting I’ll never get a title shot as long as he’s around, they all laugh.

At this point I am completely embarrassed, I want to hurt him but I just joined this promotion and this guy pretty much makes the rules.

The funny part was he was standing and I could of swore he was fully seated. So I took the high road and went to my room in a rage. I get a call a few weeks later from Dana not Joe asking for the RDA fight.

I thought wow this one must of went over Joe’s Head. Joe’s 4 foot, a lot of things do. So I get the fight I wanted and Joe didn’t want.

I KO RDA and win the world title in the 1st round. As I make my out of the ring and in the back guess who is the first guy standing there? Yes Joe. No congrats, no good job just a bitter angry small little man.

I said nothing, nothing needed to be communicated, I just wink. Success is how you destroy your enemies.”

Alvarez since 2016

Alvarez ended up losing the lightweight title he took from RDA in July of 2016 to Conor McGregor that November. “The Underground King” fought for the UFC three more times, before signing with ONE Championship in 2019. 

In his last bout, which took place in August, 2019, Alvarez scored a thrilling, come-from-behind win over Eduard Folayang.

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