Fans were amazed not only by Joel Alvarez's incredible knockout at UFC Tampa but also at how he ended up on the prelims. The Spanish lightweight star maintained his streak of finishes, securing his 22nd career stoppage with yet another highlight-reel performance.
On December 14, 2024, Alvarez faced Drakkar Klose at the Amalie Arena, where his prowess was on full display as he delivered a massive flying knee about halfway through the first round. Alvarez quickly transitioned to threaten Klose with a guillotine before landing relentless punches, forcing referee Dan Miragliotta to stop the fight.
Despite Klose's experience as a veteran since 2017, he has primarily relied on the judges' scorecards throughout his career, with only two stoppage wins, contrasting Alvarez's explosive and entertaining fighting style. Alvarez's record is now marked by 22 wins, 17 of which came by way of submission, cementing him as one of the most finishing-heavy fighters today.
The nature of Alvarez's performance left fans raving, not just for his impressive skills but because many were frustrated by his placement on the prelims. One fan tweeted, "Joel Alvarez being on the prelims should be illegal!" another chimed in, stating, "The fact Joel Alvarez isn’t ranked at lightweight shows you how deep the weight class is.” The excitement surrounding his fight sparks questions about the overall ranking system within the division.
After the victory, Alvarez addressed his future plans during his interview with former champion Michael Bisping. He expressed interest in moving up to welterweight if not presented with significant opportunities at lightweight. “I don’t know, we haven’t talked about an opponent,” he noted through a translator, indicating his flexible plans should the UFC target Spain for their next cards.
This knockout victory not only enhances Alvarez's standing within the UFC lightweight division but also elevates expectations for his future bouts. Following his win, he is now on track to seek higher-profile matchups and possibly target a top-10 ranked fighter for his next encounter.
The lightweight division is creeping with talent, and Alvarez’s high finishing rate showcases his capability to tackle anyone presented to him next. His fight against Klose was perceived more than just another event; it was seen as the true emergence of Alvarez as he rides on a three-fight winning streak after having lost to contender Arman Tsarukyan back in 2022.
Notably, Alvarez's ability to come back with fervor after previous setbacks shows not only resilience but also his readiness to climb through the ranks. Observers are starting to question whether he may represent the best unranked fighter within the promotion. Given his finishing history and crowd-pleasing style, fans eagerly await his next announcement.
Alvarez now finds himself in the unique position of having to balance his ambitions with the realities of the UFC's lightweight class. The excitement of potentially headlining at a UFC event staged here next year, possibly with Alvarez taking on fresh competition at 170 pounds, adds layers to his future.
With every performance, Alvarez is writing his own narrative, one where the flying knee delivered against Klose became the latest highlight, showcased on various sports platforms, leaving fans buzzing about what would come next for this Spanish phenom.
Alvarez has once again demonstrated why he is considered one of the rising stars in MMA. His penchant for entertaining finishes makes him someone to keep watch among the cloud of potential title contenders. The future does appear bright as fans hunger for more explosive performances akin to what they witnessed at UFC Tampa.
