Eddie Alvarez advocates for fighters to try free agency

“I would love to consult with younger fighters just to explain to them the business of this sport because no one values free agency and understands the power in it once you’ve made a name for yourself or won a world title,” Alvarez said.

If there’s a fighter who understands the business side of the sport, it is Alvarez.

Between 2014 and 2017, Alvarez competed for the UFC. Alvarez was the UFC lightweight champion during his stay with the organization, however he never defended his title. In 2018, he was a free agent and signed with ONE Championship, after which he quit the UFC. The split between Alvarez and ONE happened in September of last year.

“Let’s say the contract is six fights, you have to add as much value to yourself and to that promotion during those six fights as possible’” said Alvarez.

“That way, you’re more valuable outside of the contract, but you have to leave the contract. You can’t allow a company to come in a fight or two before your contract, to re-sign you for another six and eight [fights]. You can’t do that because you’re killing yourself.”

“If I ran a business, and I have multiple businesses, I don’t know if I would do anything different. I would try to get my products for as cheap as possible, sell them for as much as I can, and I think that’s what the top companies do. They try to get us for as cheap as possible, then try to sell us to a larger audience for a lot more for their gain of profit,” said Alvarez.

“It’s up to me, the product, to go, ‘I need to find out what I’m worth.’ It’s my responsibility. Nobody’s going to give a f—k what I’m worth more than I should. I should care more than anyone. Figure out what’s my number, that way I can negotiate properly,” Alvarez said.

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