Carlos Alvarez is eager to feel the thrill of victory once again.
The 25-year-old native of Baguio City will have a chance to do just that when he returns to action at ONE Friday Fights 86, scheduled for November 8 at the fabled Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
There, he goes head-to-head with Russia’s Mirza Aliev in a three-round featherweight MMA bout.
Alvarez has been obsessed with returning to the winner’s circle ever since his first career loss to Nachyn Sat in December 2023.
At that time, he was on the brink of joining the ONE Championship main roster, needing just one more win to earn a $100,000 contract with the promotion.
However, his path took an unexpected turn when Sat pushed him to his limits and scored a second-round TKO, handing Alvarez a bitter defeat.
Instead of dwelling on the setback, he chose to see the silver lining, focusing on refining his skills and coming back as a more complete fighter.
“I learned a lot from that fight. We exchanged so many strikes. and I wasn’t thinking anymore. I was just throwing, and I felt like I lost my composure. That’s one thing that I truly learned,” he said.
“I have to be composed. Be calm and pick my spots.”
With a more mature outlook, Alvarez is determined to regain his momentum and prove himself worthy of sitting beside his teammate, Carlo Bumina-ang, in the organization’s elite ranks.
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But unlike his encounter with Sat, when a six-figure deal felt within reach, he prioritizes showcasing his ability to rebound from a tough setback.
“For now, I’m truly focused on getting the win. I have to get back to the winning column first. If they give me that ($100,000 contract) with a win, then I’ll be thankful. But now the focus is to win the fight and show that I improved in my game,” Alvarez stated.
His matchup against Aliev was initially scheduled for October, but the Russian bruiser had to withdraw due to undisclosed health issues, causing a postponement.
While this delay may have extended his wait for redemption, Alvarez seized the moment to prepare thoroughly for the challenge.
“The preparation has been well. I think it got better because my preparation has been extended. As we know, [the fight] was supposed to happen last month, but our preparation never stopped,” he shared.
Given Aliev’s impressive track record since turning professional in 2022, it’s understandable why Alvarez welcomed the extra time.
Aliev has turned heads with his explosive performances, including a debut victory in just 18 seconds and a 55-second submission in his sophomore outing.
Given Aliev’s explosive trajectory in the sport, Alvarez is aware that this will be far from an easy contest.
Nevertheless, he remains confident that anything can happen in MMA, and if the opportunity arises, “The Limitless” will go for the finish, just as he did in his first four wins on his ledger.
“If the finish opens up for me, then I’ll take it. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself. My goal is to win. If an opportunity to finish opens up, then I’ll take it,” he declared.
