MMA: Carlos Alvarez takes pride in display of grit against Mirza Aliev

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MMA: Carlos Alvarez takes pride in display of grit against Mirza Aliev

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Filipino MMA fighter Carlos Alvarez in action against Mirza Aliev at ONE Friday Fights 86 on November 8, 2024 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Handout/ONE ChampionshipFilipino MMA fighter Carlos Alvarez in action against Mirza Aliev at ONE Friday Fights 86 on November 8, 2024 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Handout/ONE ChampionshipMANILA -- Filipino MMA fighter Carlos "Limitless" Alvarez recorded a bounce back win at ONE Friday Fights 86 last week in Thailand, but not before his resolve was tested by his Russian opponent.

Alvarez stopped Mirza Aliev in the second round of their featherweight MMA bout at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok to regain his winning ways in ONE Championship.

Before he could do so, however, Alvarez first had to survive a flurry of offense from his opponent in the first round. A well-placed body kick from Aliev had the 25-year-old gasping for air, as the former swarmed in looking for the finish.  

But Alvarez showed his grit and resilience, surviving the round and regrouping for the next frame.

"At first, he landed a back kick right to my breadbasket. I had difficulty breathing, I started gasping for air," he admitted. "It's a good thing that during training sessions, I really focused on my composure. It's a good thing I really worked hard during training."

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In between rounds, Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao settled down his fighter, prompting him to use his advantages in this fight, notably his wrestling, strength, and smothering top control.  

Alvarez reversed the momentum in round 2 and got into top position, where he landed a swarm of punches en route to the stoppage -- his fourth in five fights.

"My coach's instruction was to really focus and take the fight onto the ground. We saw in the first round that I had the advantage if I took the fight to the ground, that I could overpower him there," he said.  

"So I really focused on getting that take down and rain down ground and pound. Thankfully I got the finish."  

Alvarez is now hopeful that this win -- as well as his show of resolve -- will bring him closer to a ONE Championship contract worth $100,000.

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Filipino MMA fighter Carlos Alvarez is declared the winner of his fight against Mirza Aliev at ONE Friday Fights 86 on November 8, 2024 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Handout/ONE ChampionshipFilipino MMA fighter Carlos Alvarez is declared the winner of his fight against Mirza Aliev at ONE Friday Fights 86 on November 8, 2024 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Handout/ONE Championship"I'm happy to be able to get back on the winning track. I know that I'll still have to develop plenty of things in my fight, so I'll just go back to hard training. I know I have to train harder," he said.  

"I really hope to get that contract. Maybe with another impressive win I hope to get there. Maybe. We'll see."  

Alvarez was one of several Filipinos in action at ONE Championship last weekend in Thailand.

On the same ONE Friday Fights card, Fritz Biagtan came through with a unanimous decision win against Seyedali Asli, and Islay Erika Bomogao lived up to the hype as she defeated Fuu via unanimous decision.

The next day at ONE 169, Filipino-American fighter Jackie Buntan made history by winning the inaugural ONE Women's Strawweight Kickboxing World Title via a unanimous decision win against Anissa "C18" Meksen.

However, Danny "The King" Kingad couldn't complete a clean sweep for the Filipinos, bowing to Adriano Moraes in a flyweight MMA affair.

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