Joel Alvarez plans to move up to welterweight

TAMPA, Fla. – It seems like Joel Alvarez’s days as a light-weight will quickly come to an finish.

Though competing in a 155-pound bout at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 63, “El Fenomeno” doesn’t see himself doing extra future cuts to his long-time division. Alvarez (21-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC), who takes on Drakkar Klose (15-2-1 MMA, 9-2 UFC) on the preliminary card, has come to that realization within the lead-up to his return on Saturday.

“I spoke about it with my group on the best way right here, the reality is that it’s a actuality,” Alvarez instructed MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I imagine that’s a actuality now. I’m going to do the struggle on Saturday, and I believe at most do one other at 155, then after, attributable to every thing that means to get down, I’m going to maneuver as much as 170 to compete.”

Alvarez has competed eight occasions underneath the UFC banner and has missed weight on two events. Though he’s made weight for his final three bouts, and he appeared to have his cuts dialed in, the Spanish fighter wish to be extra energetic, which is one thing he simply can’t do combating at 155 kilos.

“The cuts are very laborious, they’re laborious,” Alvarez defined. “I’m a man that’s 1.90 m (6’2), I’m very tall, so the reduce may be very powerful. In the long run, you need to get fights which might be 10 weeks out.

“For instance, a struggle with a six-week coaching camp, I wouldn’t be capable of settle for it as a result of I wouldn’t have sufficient time to chop. I naturally stroll round 85-88 kg, that’s 185, 190 kilos, so it’s a giant reduce. I believe it’s higher for me to maneuver to 170, and I’d most likely finish weighing extra, however I’d be stronger, and it could undoubtedly be extra pure.”

Aside from eager to struggle extra incessantly, there’s additionally a well being side concerned. Alvarez is aware of these weight cuts can’t be good for his long-term well being, and that’s additionally one thing that’s performed a job in his decision-making.

“You’re taking the physique to the intense,” Alvarez stated. “You narrow 15 kilos in simply 10 or 9 weeks, and that’s a ton of weight, particularly for an individual that’s already in form. I’m not losing a few pounds as a result of I’ve weight points, and I’m overweight. I’m already in form, and but I nonetheless do the reduce. So from a well being side, this isn’t good. These previous few weeks are powerful, and particularly the final day when you need to dehydrate your physique. You begin seeing every thing completely different, you even surprise if that is all value it.”

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