ALVAREZ HEADING TO ONE FC

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By Kolby Chang

(courtesy photo)

It’s been said that opportunity waits for no one. That is why when local mixed martial arts standout Josh “The Hedgehog” Alvarez was offered a spot on the One Fighting Championships 13 ‘Moment Of Truth’ fight card this Friday in Manila, Philippines; he accepted the fight on only a week’s notice.

The Pacific X-treme Combat veteran was notified of the fight last Friday and is scheduled to depart for Manila today because ‘The Hedgehog’ simply felt it was too good to pass up.

“I figured I should take it. It’s a good opportunity,” Alvarez said.

One FC is the largest MMA organization in Asia and is home to such high-caliber fighters like Shinya Aoki, Bibiano Fernandes and Masakazu Imanari according to the company’s official website. Alvarez’s friend and training partner Lloyd Cubacub has connections with One FC so when the MMA organization needed a spot to fill for an injured fighter, the Team Countershot representative agreed to the bout.

“It really feels good. I’m very excited. I can’t wait to be out there,” Alvarez said.

Fighting in the bantamweight division (135lbs), Alvarez is set to square off with Shooto veteran Koetsu Okazaki. Alvarez has been training regularly, twice a day, with Team Countershot and Universal Alliance at their Tumon facility.

“I’ve trained regular sparring, a lot of jiu-jitsu rounds, a lot of no gi and a lot of kickboxing. I felt like I was in shape for it,” Alvarez said.

(courtesy photo)

Alvarez first broke onto the scene five years ago at PXC Live 4 and has been a staple of the organization since then. He last saw action at Trench Warz 16 in Saipan where Alvarez submitted Mark Nuique via rear-naked choke on Dec. 6, 2012 according to MMA website www.sherdog.com. Alvarez has compiled a 12-5 record and is looking to make a name for himself at One FC now that he has a six-fight contract.

This fight, however, could be his last in the bantamweight division as Alvarez said he is planning on dropping to flyweight afterward.

Alvarez thanks his coach Sonny Chargualaf as well as teammates Leandro Delalo and John Meno for their support. He also thanks Cubacub for helping him to get the opportunity to fight for One FC. He also appreciates the support from his sponsors Roots and Development and Long Live.

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