Former UFC star duels with Russian champ in ONE: A New Era

MANILA, Philippines — Former Ultimate Fighting Championship star Eddie Alvarez will make his much-awaited ONE Championship debut as he clashes with Russian knockout artist Timofey Nastyukhin in the quarterfinals of the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix of ONE: A New Era on March 31 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.

 And the 35-year-old Alvarez is eyeing nothing less than the title.

 “I have traveled the world in the last 15 years fighting the best guys I can get my hands on everywhere,” said Alvarez, who jumped from ONE to UFC last year.

 “I have won every single World title from every major organization and ONE Championship is the only organization that I don’t have their World title,” he added.

 Truly, Alvarez, who owns a 29-6 (win-loss) record, has beaten the best the division can offer – Shinya Aoki, Roger Huerta, Gilbert Melendez, Anthony Pettis, Rafael Dos Anjos and Justin Gaethje among others.

 Alvarez said he is ready to face and hurdle every obstacle on the way.

 “I am coming here to win my World title,” said Alvarez. “I have made some space on my shelf for the ONE Championship belt. I know the fighters are tough and this group understands the integrity of the sport and what it means to be a martial artist and I want to be a part of that.”

 A win over Nastyukhin, who has a 12-4 slate, will send him straight to the semifinals where he will face with fellow American Lowen Tynanes, who destroyed Honorio Banario late last year.