Eddie Alvarez
Active 2014–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 88.0
Scouting report
Making history as the first fighter to capture world championships in both Bellator and the UFC, Eddie "The Underground King" Alvarez represented Philadelphia. Alvarez claimed UFC lightweight gold with a first-round knockout of Rafael dos Anjos before engaging in battles against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. His pocket boxing and chin are reflected in a 90 Boxing score and 88 Durability.
Peak ratings
By edition
Joining the UFC in late 2014 after capturing the Bellator title, Alvarez dropped a competitive decision to Donald Cerrone at UFC 178 before authoring split-decision victories over former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez in Mexico City and former UFC champion Anthony Pettis in Boston. His boxing inside the pocket, cage wrestling, and heart are reflected in an 88 Boxing and 84 Wrestling.
Alvarez achieved championship status in July 2016 at UFC Fight Night 90 in Las Vegas, knocking out Rafael dos Anjos in the first round to capture the UFC Lightweight Championship, before dropping the belt to Conor McGregor at UFC 205 in Madison Square Garden and engaging in a no-contest with Dustin Poirier in Dallas. His power punching and grit justify his 90 Boxing and 88 Durability.
In December 2017 at UFC 218 in Detroit, Alvarez knocked out striker Justin Gaethje with a third-round knee in a memorable brawl, before dropping a second-round TKO defeat to Dustin Poirier in their July 2018 rematch in Calgary prior to signing with ONE Championship. His hooks, body work, and pocket exchanges anchor his 88 Boxing and 88 Cardio.
Eddie Alvarez, the Philadelphia brawler who reached the top
Eddie Alvarez is from Philadelphia and rose through Bellator, where he was lightweight champion and fought Michael Chandler in a rivalry that produced several celebrated fights. He later won the top promotion's lightweight title by beating Rafael dos Anjos in 2016. He lost it to Conor McGregor that November. He is a boxer at heart with strong wrestling behind him. He is at his most dangerous when a fight turns into a scrap. His footwork is simple, his hands are heavy, and he pushes forward through exchanges that would make many boxers back off. The wrestling in his background also gives him a way to change the fight if his standup runs into trouble.
Alvarez, rating by rating
Boxing. Tied for his best. He throws sharp combinations with real power.
Kickboxing. Good. He mixes kicks into his combinations.
Wrestling. Very good. He can take a man down and defend against takedowns.
BJJ. His lowest number. He is not a submission hunter.
Strength. Good. He is strong for a lightweight.
Durability. Very good. He can take heavy shots and keep coming.
Cardio. Tied for his best. He fights at a high pace for long stretches.
Fight IQ. Very good. He adapts quickly and picks up on patterns.
Boxing and cardio share the top
On the peak card, his boxing and cardio are level at the top. Combined with a chin that can take punishment, he is comfortable in wars of exchange. He is a strong pick when you want a fighter who is at home in a firefight. Fights involving him tend to be close and entertaining, and that suits a draft that rewards a fighter who can make a match competitive against nearly anyone. The gap between his best skill and his worst is small enough that few opponents can build one plan to beat him.
The submission game is a hole: BJJ
Jiu-jitsu is his lowest number. If a good grappler gets him down and finds a way to threaten, he has fewer answers. He needs teammates who can defend his weak spot.
Keep exploring
Closest lightweight profiles to Eddie Alvarez, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Gilbert Melendezbest cardio 90 · weakest strength 80
- Michael Chandlerbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 76
- Jorge Masvidalbest cardio 88 · weakest strength 78
- Al Iaquintabest boxing 86 · weakest bjj 76
- Lightweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Eddie Alvarez's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Eddie Alvarez into your build
Eddie Alvarez enters the pool on any spin landing on lightweight between 2014 and 2019. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Eddie Alvarez is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Eddie Alvarez's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.