Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez is trying to get back into title contention after losing to Conor McGregor last year at UFC 205. Alvarez attempted to bounce back against Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier last May, but after a wild opening round the fight was stopped and ruled a “no contest” due to an accidental knee that landed in late round two.
The initial thought was that Alvarez and Poirier would immediately rematch, but Alvarez was instead given a coaching role on “The Ultimate Fighter” opposite undefeated, lightweight contender Justin Gaethje. The two are now set to fight at UFC 218 on Saturday., Dec. 2nd in Detroit, Michigan.
Alvarez also believes that his fight with Gaethje is the biggest matchup at 155lbs in the UFC, and that includes the upcoming Tony Ferguson vs. Kevin Lee interim title fight at UFC 216. The former UFC champ was on the “UFC Unfiltered Podcast” and discussed the current title picture.
“It seems like with the interim belt, and the guys that are fighting for the interim belt, it just seems like they are throwing shit at the wall and hope it sticks. It seems that is where we are. I mean, the champion is not fighting, so these are the things you have to do while you wait. So we’re just trying to make a matchup here. In the meantime, me and Justin Gaethje is the biggest matchup in the lightweight division, the most exciting, even before this interim belt with these guys who are fighting. Me and Justin will be the most exciting fight in the division in the next couple of months until the champion comes back to defend the belt. So, right now were just buying time and trying to make a move becasue we are all going to be chasing after him.”
