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Ricardo Almeida: Eddie Alvarez ‘motivated’ after re-entering ONE tournament

A series of injuries opened spots for Eddie Alvarez and Eduard Folayang back in the ONE Championship lightweight grand prix, and coach Ricardo Almeida promises a different “Underground King” in Manila.

The former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion made his ONE debut in March, losing a tournament quarterfinal bout to Timofey Nastyukhin via first-round knockout. Alvarez, who suffered a horrific injury during the contest, now faces Folayang on Friday morning for a spot in the lightweight final after Nastyukhin’s withdrawal.

“Being back in the grand prix motivated [Eddie] a lot,” Almeida told MMA Fighting.