Spain have no fear, Joel Alvarez is here

Football is the first thing that we think of when it comes to sports in Spain, and rightfully so. However, on March 2nd, 1993, a young man was born with a purpose to put the red and yellow flag on the map of the Mixed Martial Arts world.

Joel “El Fenomeno” Alvarez. A man who truly is a phenomenon in all aspects of the fight game. Standing with a record of 18-2, with all of his 18 wins ending before hearing the final bell. However, that is far from what’s interesting about the Spaniard…

Sixteen of his eighteen wins have come by way of submission, with only two wins coming by way of Knockout, but would you believe if I tell you that Alvarez is actually a striker?

It’s extremely tough to finish two fights with the same sequence, maybe close to impossible, especially when you’re competing at a high level. This is what makes Alvarez live up to his nickname “El Fenomeno.”

All his submission victories literally end with the same sequence. His opponents getting dominated on the feet, left with no other option than to take him down. The second they shoot for the legs, it’s goodnight, Irene.

It’s up to you. Pick your poison with Gij’on’s finest. Either you get taken out on the feet, or you take the fight to the ground and enter the Spaniard’s cobwebs.

Just when you thought it doesn’t get worse for his oppositions, “El Fenomeno” is the tallest fighter in the lightweight division, standing at 6’3, with a stunning 77-inch reach. Giving him the luxury of picking his shots from the outside with the ability to see what’s coming in return.

Representing his country of Spain in the most enigmatic fashion, he enters every fight embodying the matador’s mindset. Alvarez plays a high stakes game, standing on the outside, frustrating his opponents by setting traps on the feet, and his opponents sitting in the bull’s position, they rush in. Little do they know, they’re walking on to a trap that leads to the same sequence all others have fallen into.

The majority of fighters prefer to test the fight game’s waters by starting their journey in the amateur scene to gain the experience needed before entering the professional ranks, “El Fenomeno” thought overwise. Diving straight into the pro shark tank with the self-belief of being convinced that he was born ready.

In just five years, Alvarez put a stamp on the local Spanish scene by racking up a fancy record of 15-1 with 15 finishes. His electrifying performances echoed through to the Mixed Martial Arts masses in the UFC, not needing to think twice before offering the young, charismatic enigma a UFC contract to showcase his skills under the brightest lights of all.

The UFC operates on a sink or swim system. There are no easy fights in the promotion. Purely the best fighters in the world, this is what sets it apart by lightyears from all other promotions. The best always fights the best.

That was no different for the Spanish rising star. Entering the UFC at just 25 years of age on short notice against Russia’s most promising prospects Damir Ismagulov. Outpointing Alvarez, giving him an unpleasant welcoming party to the big leagues.

The only way to test a fighter’s character is to see how they react to a loss. Joel Alvarez passed the test with flying colors, making a quick turnaround, taking the loss as fuel to the fire to show what he’s really made of. Just like that, Alvarez showed up and showed out, getting the stoppage win in the second round.

The hungry Spaniard was itching to step back into the octagon, demanding a big step up in competition. The UFC obliged. Ask, and you shall receive.

Standing in front of him was Irish Joe Duffy, the second man to ever finish Conor Mcgregor. And just like that, the finish sequence continued. Outclassing Duffy on the feet, leaving him with no other option but to shoot, and the second he did, it was all over.

Twelve weeks later, it was Deja vu all over again. Standing in the octagon in Fight Island, piecing up the Russian Alexander Yakovlev on the feet forcing him to shoot, which led to his demise just like Joel’s other 17 opponents.

Signing off 2020 with all the momentum on his side. “El Fenomeno” sits in the wings as he awaits his next fight to start the new year with championship aspirations on his mind.

Joel Alvarez is a star in the making. I can comfortably say that he’s Spain’s biggest hope to bring back home a championship belt and become the first-ever UFC champion holding the red and yellow flag. So look no further Spain, Joel Alvarez is the name.