Tomorrow night, ONE Championship will make their debut on TNT. The Singapore-based MMA organization is taking a monumental step forward in having their fights broadcasted on The Turner Network.
ONE is bringing forward a big time card tomorrow night for their debut on TNT. Their main event features one of the greatest to ever do it in Demetrious Johnson, but it’s the co-main event that might steal the headlines.
In the co-main event, former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez (30-7, 1 NC) will taking on surging contender Iuri Lapicus (14-1). Lapicus suffered his first career loss in his last appearance with ONE back in October.
That night, Lapicus was stopped by Christian Lee. However, prior to that loss, the 25 year old prospect had won fourteen straight and he had finished every opponent. While he has 10 submissions, it’s his striking that could be the key at ONE on TNT 1.
Lapicus is going to have his hands full with The Underground King. Eddie Alvarez is seeking a lightweight title in ONE. Alvarez has been Bellator lightweight champion and the UFC lightweight champion. He said this week that a ONE lightweight title would make him the best ever.
It hasn’t been smooth sailing so far since Alvarez made the jump from the UFC to ONE. Alvarez was stopped in his first fight by Timofey Nastyukhin and then he won against Eduard Folayang in a fight that was an absolute war.
ONE on TNT 1 Prediction
Lapicus is a really tough matchup for Eddie Alvarez. However, Alvarez is one of the those fighters you should never count out. I remember not giving him a chance when he fought Rafael Dos Anjos and we all know how that turned out.
For Eddie Alvarez to win at ONE on TNT 1, he has to make this fight dirty. He needs to take Lapicus to the deep waters and try to break him. If this fight is flashy and clean, I’m not sure I like his chances.
Lapicus is going to have the technique advantage on the feet. With his submission threats, I’m not sure Alvarez is going to try to take this to the ground. However, I can see Alvarez using the clinch a lot at ONE on TNT 1.
I’m looking for Eddie Alvarez to use the clinch and some dirty boxing tomorrow. However, I’m not sure it’ll be enough. This is his first fight since August of 2019 and I really don’t like the matchup. I think he’s going to get clipped tomorrow and I believe Iuri Lapicus gets the biggest win of his career at ONE on TNT 1.
Prediction: Iuri Lapicus by TKO – Round 2