- Superstar American fighter
Eddie Alvarez returns on April 7 for his first fight since 2019. - Alvarez takes on 170-pounder Iuri Lapicus as he continues his quest for
One Championship 's title. - The firm's boss
Chatri Sityodtong said victory alone may not be enough to force a title shot.
Eddie Alvarez might have to win two more fights before he can challenge for the One Championship title, the
The 37-year-old fighter is yet to compete in the pandemic-era, but returns April 7 against Iuri Lapicus in an event that will be broadcast on TNT in the US.
Sityodtong stressed that it is important to not look through Lapicus to Christian Lee, the current 170-pound champion, because even if Alvarez wins spectacularly he still may have to fight another contender before he gets a title shot.
"I think Iuri is a very tough opponent," Sityodtong told Insider. "He's 14-1 with 14 finishes - 100% finishes, he's young and hungry and wants to make his name off Eddie Alvarez.
"I don't think American fans should be sleeping on Iuri Lapicus because he's very, very dangerous on his feet and very, very slick on the ground. Eddie has his hands full for sure."
The superstar American, who held titles at previous organizations Bellator MMA and UFC, told us last month he is determined to win One's championship - and already has a space reserved on his trophy shelves for the belt.
-Al Dawson (@AlanDawsonSport) February 25, 2021
Sityodtong said this would add to Alvarez's legacy. "Eddie's really trying to solidify his place in history by becoming the only fighter in the world to have won all three championships in the UFC, Bellator, and One Championship.
"Obviously, he's already won the UFC and Bellator titles. And if he wins One Championship's, then he's the only one to win them all, male or female."
Beating Lapicus alone may not be enough to force a title shot, Sityodtong said. "It really depends on how he performs but don't count Iuri out as he's a very dangerous opponent."
Sityodtong added that the company has a No.1 contender in the 170-pound lightweight division called Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev, nicknamed Dagi, who has his sights set on Alvarez.
"Dagi was originally slated to meet Eddie Alvarez a year ago but it never happened because of COVID. Dagi has expressly said he wants to fight Alvarez next. So, you know, Eddie is a popular guy.
"Dagi is the No.1 contender right now, and let's see how Eddie does as he's looking to break into the top-5."
On the April 7 event, the first of four One Championship shows broadcast in the US on TNT every Wednesday this month, Sityodtong said: "This is the biggest month in One Championship history.
"American fans, tune in. Global fans, tune in. We're going to have an action-packed April for you and this is only the beginning."