Eddie Alvarez Set To Feature At ONE On TNT IV Against Either Marat Gufurov Or Ok Rae-yoon

Mandatory Credit: Dux Carvajal - ONE Championship

Following his controversial disqualification defeat to Iuri Lapicus at ONE on TNT I at the beginning of the month, 'The Underground King' Eddie Alvarez is set to make a quickfire return to action on April 29th. at ONE on TNT IV -- tackling either Marat Gufurov or Ok Rae-yoon. 

Facing off against Lapicus in a potential lightweight title-eliminator to Christian Lee's throne -- who defended his title against Timofey Nastyukhin yesterday, Alvarez suffered a hugely debated disqualification defeat.

With just over a minute elapsed in the opening round, referee, Justin Brown called a halt to proceedings, claiming that Alvarez had landed multiple shots to the back of Lapicus' head, following numerous warnings. A distraught Alvarez claimed that his punches were landing on Lapicus' ear, who had fallen to the canvas from a seated position following the stoppage.

In the moments afterwards, footage emerged of an emotional Alvarez backstage, who had suffered his second defeat in three ONE Championship appearances, following a debut defeat to the above-mentioned, Nastyukhin. 

It appears Alvarez is set for a timely turnaround according to ONE Championship leader, Chatri Sityodtong who confirmed to South China Morning Post reporter, Nick Atkin, that the Philidelphia native will feature at ONE on TNT IV on April 29th. -- taking on the victor of Gufurov vs. Rae-yoon -- who compete at ONE on TNT III on April 21st.

Scoring a split decision win over Lowen Tynanes at ONE Championship: Collision Course back in December, Gufurov is set to meet with Rae-yoon at ONE on TNT III which airs on April 21st. -- with the victor meeting Alvarez the following week.

In the days following the matchup with Lapicus, Alvarez claimed that "serious talks" were underway for him to clash with former boxing world champion, Oscar De La Hoya in a July boxing match.

"Recently, we've been hearing from Oscar De La Hoya's guys," Alvarez said. "Look, I'm fixated on the ONE Championship belt. I'm laser, laser-focused on making history and getting my world title but I feel like there's going to be a lull, the champion (Christian Lee) is going to sit (out) for a little bit -- I think he's having a baby."

"Oh they're serious talks," Alvarez explained. "They're serious -- like wanting to get a deal done this week serious. I believe they tried to get some larger names (to fight) and the larger names kind of outbid themselves, or they're under contract. For me, I've been in and out Philly (Philadelphia) boxing gyms my whole career with pro boxers."

In between his defeats to both Nastyukhin and Lapicus, Alvarez claimed a rear-naked choke win over former titleholder, Eduard Folayang in the ONE Championship lightweight Grand Prix semi final.