Joel Alvarez: UFC event in Spain in 2022 ‘would be tremendous’

Joel Alvarez is confident his home country is ready to host a UFC event.

The rising UFC lightweight contender would love to see a UFC card go down in Spain. Alvarez (19-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC), who’s from Gijon, Spain, thinks there’s a big enough fan base and support in the country to not only host an octagon visit, but it would be a blockbuster turnout.

“There’s a lot of support now and a lot of fans,” Alvarez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I think it’s a good moment for this coming year in 2022 for the UFC to come to Spain if possible.

“An event in Spain would be tremendous to tell you the truth. I think it’s a good moment. The fan base is ready, and I think they would sell out.”

Spain currently has the strongest representation it’s ever had in the history of the UFC. Alvarez and Ilia Topuria, who are ranked contenders in their respective divisions, and “The Ultimate Fighter 28” winner Juan Espino carry the Spanish flag in the octagon.

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The UFC hasn’t hosted any events internationally outside of Abu Dhabi since the COVID-19 pandemic hit a world-wide scale in March 2020. Alvarez hopes things change for next year.

Either way, the 28-year-old will continue to work and climb the rankings wherever he fights next.

“Now we go for the lions of the jungle,” Alvarez said. “I hope to be back in March and get another fight. That way I take a little break and do a good camp for the fight. To be honest, I don’t have anyone in mind, but any of them it’s going to be bad costumer. Any of them would be a great fight. I’m now in the top 15 best in the world.”

Being candid, Alvarez admits he didn’t expect to thrive the way he has in the UFC. He’s happy that he’s now in the official rankings at 155 pounds and is determined to achieve even more.

“To be honest, you don’t imagine it going so well,” Alvarez said. “You expect to be there fighting with obstacles, but I’m now on a four-fight wining streak with all four finishes – that was unimaginable to do something like that. And even more, having debuted with a loss. I think it even served me well that defeat, to mentalize myself on what I need to do.”