Europe
Aitana Alvarez’s confidence is sky high ahead of short-notice bout: “I’m going to smash this girl!”
Aitana Alvarez. Photo via OKTAGON MMA
As Frontkick was first to report, European MMA prospect Aitana Alvarez will be back in action for a fight in UAE Warriors on Friday September 27. She will take on Amena Hadaya in a main card flyweight bout.
“I’m really happy, “Alvarez tells Frontkick in an exclusive interview. “I need to get back to a winning streak and I’m going to smash this girl!”
Her opponent has a 4-3 record and alternated wins and losses in her past five bouts. The Allstars fighter is confident that Hadaya won’t make it to the final bell.
“She is an aggressive fighter that likes to strike. She goes in and out in the striking distance. She’s not a complete fighter in my opinion. She’s a striker. She doesn’t succeed in her takedowns.”
Since you see her as a striker, will you use your ground game to win?
“To be honest, I can beat her both in the striking and on the ground. It will all depend on how she comes forward, but I’m pretty sure that the fight won’t go three rounds.”
Aitana Alvarez needs to cut 11 kilos in 10 days
The Stockholm-based fighter was presented with the matchup just a few days back, but did not hesitate a second to take on Hadaya on such short notice.
Were you already in camp when you got the fight?
“Yes, because we have a fight in OKTAGON before the year ends. We were supposed to have another fight before that, and then this opportunity showed up, “Alvarez says. “I was not on weight but in camp. A couple of days ago I was 11 kilos away, but I’m not worried at all. It’s dropping down really well. I will even try to make the Championship weight for this fight.”
“Veronica Smolkova is running”
With two fights coming up in the next three months, Aitana will wrap up a busy and successful year in the best way possible. If everything goes to plan she will crown 2024 with another win in OKTAGON MMA, a promotion she debuted in earlier this year.
Who will you face next in OKTAGON?
“Veronica Smolkova is running, so I don’t know who’s my next opponent. Smolkova should compete as a runner instead of a fighter.”
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