On Saturday night in the United States, the UFC’s Octagon touched down in Philadelphia, a historic fight town that had somehow fallen off the promotion’s radar. It had been almost eight years between visits, this despite several talents boasting roots in the area. Under different circumstances, the show would have been a perfect main event landing spot for Eddie Alvarez, the former UFC champion who wears his Philly pride like an omnipresent tattoo.
Instead though, Alvarez was half-a-world away, in a Tokyo arena starting anew with the growing ONE Championship promotion. Over the last year or so, ONE has undergone a significant expansion, looking to export its polished presentation to the West.