Two of the Philippines’ most promising mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters are ready to make their mark this November as they return to the cage at ONE Friday Fights 86. Team Lakay’s Carlos Alvarez and T-Rex MMA’s Fritz Biagtan will both be competing at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 8.
Carlos Alvarez Rescheduled for Featherweight Bout
Carlos Alvarez is set to face Mirza Aliev in a highly anticipated featherweight match. This bout was initially scheduled for ONE Friday Fights 82 but was postponed due to a minor injury that forced Aliev to withdraw. Thankfully, the Russian fighter has recovered, and the matchup is back on track.
Rather than being discouraged by the delay, Alvarez views the extra preparation time as an advantage. “The preparation has been well. I think it got better because my preparation has been extended. As we know, [the fight] was supposed to happen last month, but our preparation never stopped,” he shared.
Alvarez emphasizes the positive impact of the postponement, stating, “I’m taking the postponement positively. I’m using the extra time to be more prepared for this fight.”
Fritz Biagtan Eyes Comeback in Flyweight Contest
Meanwhile, Fritz Biagtan is eager to return to the octagon to compete against Sayedali Asli in a flyweight matchup. Biagtan is looking for redemption after his recent loss to Babar Ali and is determined to prove his worth among the elite flyweights in the ONE Championship.
“It’s been a while since I last competed in ONE Friday Fights. I thank God for giving me this opportunity. Certainly, I had time to improve myself in that stretch. Given that I’ve waited for this fight for a long time, I’m certainly a lot hungrier for this fight,” Biagtan said.
He adds, “All I can say is, I’m truly hungry to bounce back. I’ll give my 100 percent in this fight. I want to win this fight for my Pinoy fans, my family, and of course, myself.”
Aiming for the Ultimate Prize
Both Alvarez and Biagtan are vying for the prestigious US$100,000 contract to compete on ONE Championship’s main roster, a milestone that could be within reach with a standout performance in this week’s event.
The ONE Friday Fights platform has already proven to be a launching pad for Filipino talent, as evidenced by Carlo Bumina-ang’s impressive run that earned him a life-changing contract after five consecutive victories.
As these two talented fighters prepare to showcase their skills, Filipino MMA fans have much to look forward to on November 8. Will Alvarez and Biagtan secure their spots on the main roster? Only time will tell as they aim for victory at ONE Friday Fights 86.
