Eddie Alvarez, haunted by a past defeat against Conor McGregor, is eager to redeem himself as he prepares to headline a BKFC event in his hometown of Philadelphia, emphasizing that his career should be defined by his entire body of work rather than a single fight.
Eddie Alvarez sees himself as a fighter who thrives under pressure, and his collection of championship belts backs that claim.
Yet, as he gears up to headline the first-ever BKFC event in Philadelphia on Jan. 25, the 40-year-old veteran can’t shake off memories of one of his most disappointing performances. Back in 2016, Alvarez was set to defend his UFC lightweight title against Conor McGregor at UFC 205 in New York City.
What should have been a career-defining moment turned into a nightmare when McGregor outclassed him, finishing the fight in the second round to become the first UFC fighter to hold two titles simultaneously.
“Everyone remembers the Conor fight,” Alvarez told MMA Fighting. “It was near my hometown, and I didn’t show up. That shocked even me.
“Throughout my career, whether at home or elsewhere, I’ve always performed well when the stakes were high.”
Alvarez hasn’t fought in Philadelphia for over 14 years but often competed nearby in Atlantic City when MMA wasn’t legal in Pennsylvania.
Headlining the debut UFC card in NYC felt like a homecoming. Yet, even eight years later, Alvarez regrets his lackluster performance that night.
This fuels his determination to impress his hometown crowd when he faces Jeremy Stephens in a bare-knuckle bout this January.
“I’ll make it up to my Philadelphia fans,” Alvarez declared. “Madison Square Garden was my shot. I hated how I performed there. But there’s only one stadium better—Wells Fargo in Philly.
“I’ve fought worldwide: Russia, Japan, Costa Rica. Sure, I’ve had hiccups, but places like Atlantic City and Philly? I usually shine. I’m eager to feel Philly’s spirit behind me at Wells Fargo on January 25th.”
With this opportunity to fight at home again, questions about retirement naturally arise.
Despite all he’s accomplished, retiring after a win in Philadelphia seems perfect but don’t expect him to make that decision post-fight.
“It’d be storybook,” Alvarez said. “But no single fight defines a career. You can’t sum up who I am with one fight—win or lose. My legacy is built on two decades of fighting and hard work.”
“Sure, shutting down Wells Fargo with 18,000 fans would be magical. But I’m defined by seeking out the toughest fighters worldwide and striving for championships—not just one fight.”
Honestly? Alvarez feels rejuvenated by his fresh start with BKFC and relishes fighting at home once more.
He recently opened a new training facility aiming to train future UFC champions while setting an example through his ongoing career.
Aware he can’t fight forever, Alvarez isn’t rushing any decisions before or after his next match. He’ll decide what’s next later on.
“I started at 19; now I’m over two decades in,” Alvarez noted. “I’ve stayed healthy and steroid-free my whole career. It’s given me longevity.”
“I’ve done things differently than many fighters, allowing me to keep going strong. Keeping options open lets me continue fighting.”