Coach Mark Henry Says Eddie Alvarez Can Defeat Khabib Nurmagomedov
Former UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier battle for a second time this July in the main event of UFC On Fox 30.
A win could get either man a shot at UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Alvarez’s longtime coach in Mark Henry believes his pupil has what it takes to defeat the undefeated champion.
“I just feel people don’t know Eddie’s wrestling and jiu-jitsu is off the hook,” Henry told Damon Martin of MMA Weekly.“I feel the one that would have the best chance, that lines up best with Khabib stylistically is definitely Eddie. Eddie’s not afraid of anything. Eddie could definitely defend the shot and his jiu-jitsu is off the hook. Most of all, Eddie’s crazy. He’s out of his mind. That definitely counts for something. He’s a veteran and his game is getting better and better. I definitely think he lines up with Khabib better than anyone.”
Alvarez has yet to have an opportunity to fight Nurmagomedov, but he has called out the champion many times in the past.
One of Nurmagomedov’s biggest strengths is his wrestling skills set, but Henry has never really seen anyone takedown the former lightweight champion before.
“I’ve seen Eddie spar thousands of rounds and I’m not sure I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him on his back much less taken down much,” says Henry.
UFC On Fox 30 takes place on Saturday, July 28 from the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on Fox.
