In an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post today Chatri Sityodtong revealed that a big lightweight fight is in the works for early 2021. Eddie Alvarez and Saygid Arslanaliev are set to face off in a potential title eliminator.
The two had initially been set to face off at ONE: Century’ last October but the American withdrew due to injury. Arslanaliev is currently ranked at #2 while Alvarez has yet to establish himself in the top five at lightweight.
It sounds as if the contracts have not been signed yet. But Chatri told the SCMP that this fight was in the process of being put together,
“Eddie’s gonna be coming back early next year. We’ve already set a date and a card for him, and now we’re just finalising his opponent. It’s most likely gonna be Eddie Alvarez vs Dagi. I think Matt Hume has given out offers to the both of them, we’re just trying to finalise things.”
Arslanaliev reached the final of the lightweight Grand Prix last year after winning his quarter final and semi final bouts. By contrast Alvarez was knocked out by Timofey Nastyukhin in the opening round.
Alvarez was reinstated after the Russian suffered a knee injury. He came from behind to beat Eduard Folayang in the semi final at ONE: ‘Dawn of Heroes’ but suffered a knee injury in that bout and had to withdraw from the tournament.
In his place stepped lightweight champion Christian Lee who beat Arslanaliev by decision at ONE: ‘Century’ last October. He is set to defend the title next Friday when he faces Iuri Lapicus at ONE: ‘Inside the Matrix’.
In recent months ONE Championship has put on behind closed doors events in Shanghai, Singapore and Bangkok. There are five more events scheduled this year but the 2021 calendar has yet to be released.
