Who is Eddie Alvarez? The first and only man to win UFC and Bellator MMA – here’s what we know about him
He may have recently lost against Conor McGregor, but there's certainly no disgrace in that and Alvarez remains an elite level competitor
EDDIE ALVAREZ will be desperate to avenge his defeat to Conor McGregor - and few would doubt he can do it.
Alvarez was knocked down five times in a crushing defeat to The Notorious at UFC 205, and admitted he had "fought the wrong fight" afterwards.
But with an impressive 28 wins and only five defeats, he is sure to be back fighting for titles once again.
Who is Eddie Alvarez?
Eddie Alvarez is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes in the UFC, and is the former UFC lightweight champion.
Alvarez is also a former two-time Bellator Lightweight Champion, the only man who has held both championships.
He won the lightweight title with an impressive first round stoppage of Rafael Dos Anjos on July 7 this year, only to lose to the fighting pride of Ireland McGregor four months later.
What is Alvarez’s background?
Alvarez was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1984 and is of Puerto Rican and Irish descent.
He was raised in the Kensington area of the state, which has a big Irish population. His mother is Irish and his father Puerto Rican.
It was an easy transition for him to get into fighting. He says there were boxing and MMA gyms on every corner where he grew up, and the challenge was to beat the best to be the best.
He started in MMA events, before joining the Bellator Fighting Championships, where he became their first ever lightweight champion when he defeated Toby Imada in 2009.
When did Alvarez make his debut?
The 32-year-old made his professional debut back in 2003 in the Ring of Combat MMA series, when he punched out Anthony Ladonna in New Jersey.
He was still a teenager at the time, showing he had honed skills learnt in the tough gyms of Philly that would help him rise to the top.
His UFC debut was less successful, as he lost on points to Donald Cerrone at UFC Fight Night 90 for the lightweight title
When is Alvarez's next fight?
There isn't anything arranged for Alvarez's next fight, but judging by his comments after the McGregor defeat, he seems desperate to come again.
He was extremely critical of his performance, saying he fought the wrong fight, and refused to blame anyone else but himself.
Fans would probably like to see him fight Nate Diaz, another who has lost to McGregor.
How much money has Alvarez made in UFC?
According to , Alvarez is worth around $8million (£6.3million). Before the McGregor fight the American claimed the fight would "make him millions", and so it appears.
He made millions being one of the biggest draws in the Bellator, and was seen as a prominent signing by UFC when he joined up.
Bonuses for wins - he has 28 of them, mean he has benefitted from the sport.
Does Eddie Alvarez have a wife?
Eddie Alvarez married his wife Jamie in 2008, and they have four children together.
His earnings from MMA and UFC meant he has been able to move his family out of Kensington the the more upmarket Northeast Philadelphia.
He spoke after the McGregor defeat how his wife and children making him laugh got him through the depressing moments.
