MMA: Alvarez, Biagtan set for ONE return at Friday Fights 86

Filipino fighters Carlos Alvarez and Fritz Biagtan. Handout/ONE Championship

MANILA -- Filipino fighters Carlos Alvarez and Fritz Biagtan will finally return to action in November.

Alvarez, who fights out of Team Lakay, and T-Rex MMA's Biagtan will step inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on November 8 as part of the ONE Friday Fights 86 card.

Alvarez battles Mirza Aliev in a featherweight MMA match that was supposed to be scheduled for ONE Friday Fights 82. A minor injury temporarily to the Russian fighter forced the postponement, but he has since recovered and the match is back on track.

The Team Lakay prospect sees the silver lining in the postponement of their bout, as he believes it gave him more time to prepare for his opponent.

"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," said Alvarez. 

"I'm taking the postponement positively. I'm using the extra time to be more prepared for this fight," he added.

Biagtan, on the other hand, will battle Sayedali Asli in a flyweight contest as he looks for his third win on the ultimate proving ground for ONE Championship.  

Fresh off a loss against Babar Ali, Biagtan will be hungry to bounce back and prove that he belongs among the best flyweights in the world.

"It's been a while since I last competed in ONE Friday Fights. I thank God for giving me this opportunity. Certainly, I had time to improve myself in that stretch. Of course, given that I've waited for this fight for a long time, I'm certainly a lot hungrier in this fight," said Biagtan.

"All I can say, I'm truly hungry to bounce back. I'll give my 100 percent in this fight. I want to win this fight for my Pinoy fans, my family, and of course myself."

Both fighters are targeting the $100,000 contract and an opportunity to compete in ONE Championship's main roster, which they can achieve with impressive performances in the weekly showcase.

One Filipino fighter has already "graduated" from the Friday Fights program -- Carlo Bumina-ang, who secured a contract to the main roster after five straight wins.