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Aitana Alvarez to face Lucia Szabova: ”Being undefeated doesn’t make you special”

Publicerat

9 juni 2024

Aitana Alvarez. Photo: Chris Önnerby

Spanish MMA fighter Aitana Alvarez is one of the hottest prospects in Europe right now.

After winning her OKTAGON MMA debut a few weeks back, she’s up for her toughest test to date. Alvarez will take on undefeated Lucia Szabova in a bantamweight title contender fight on July 20. The fight was just announced by the promotion.

”Being undefeated doesn’t make you special,” Aitana says about facing Szabova. ”Even if she has no losses, she’s going to look like my last opponent when I’m done with her. I’m going to be her first loss.”

With that said, the Allstars prospect still has respect for the Slovakian Muay Thai champ and judoka, who’s 7-0 as a pro MMA fighter.

”Szabova is a pretty well-rounded opponent. Good in all the parts of MMA. She has enough experience to fight everywhere, but she never fought a well-rounded opponent like me. I will be better everywhere.”

In fact, Alvarez was preparing to face one of Szabova’s teammates in a flyweight bout. When the fight didn’t materialize, the Spanish fighter was offered to move up in weight to face the undefeated fighter.

”It’s a different level now facing Szabova. She’s 7-0, but I don’t give a fuck. We are on the same level.”

Lucia Szabova. Photo via OKTAGON MMA

Aitana Alvarez is not scared of enemy turf

The title contender fight will go down at the stacked OKTAGON 59 in Slovakia – the home turf of Lucia Szabova. However, the Spanish fighter could not be bothered by the location of the event.

”I’m really used to fighting on enemy turf so I don’t worry about it,” she laughs. ”I’m always going to places to fight the local star. We are not going to go there to play anyways.”

Alvarez will prepare for the fight at Allstars Training Center in Stockholm, and is happy to fight in a 59 kilo catchweight bout instead at flyweight.

”I won’t be low on calories ,which will let me be at full power during the entire camp. I’m a big flyweight, not at all too small for the bantamweight division.”

Talking to the Swedish-based fighter, you can tell that she’s in a good place ahead of the title contender bout.

”It will be one of the biggest shows of the year. It’s a really good opportunity. Many doors will open if I win this fight. I’m gonna smash her!”