Joel Álvarez: ‘I Was Never a Spoiled Child of the UFC’ – Ahead of UFC 328 Clash with Yaroslav Amosov

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief

MAY 5, 2025 — As the UFC prepares for UFC 328 in Newark, Fresh Jersey, Spanish welterweight contender Joel Álvarez stands at a pivotal moment in his career. The Asturian fighter, known as “El Fenómeno,” prepares to face former Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov on May 9 in a bout that could propel him into the UFC’s welterweight top 15. Álvarez’s journey to this moment has been defined by resilience, a willingness to embrace difficult challenges, and a rejection of the notion that he has ever been pampered in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization.

A Career Built on Embracing Challenges

Álvarez’s approach to his career has consistently defied expectations. When presented with the opportunity to face Amosov—a fighter with an impressive record and reputation as one of the division’s most formidable grapplers—Álvarez did not hesitate. “Because I get excited about these types of fights,” Álvarez stated in a recent interview. “I’m no longer 25 years old, I was never a spoiled child of the UFC, we know where I come from and how I am. And these fights are the ones I aim for to make. Fine fights, fights to remember.”

This mindset has been a hallmark of Álvarez’s career since his UFC debut. Rather than seeking out favorable matchups or avoiding difficult opponents, the Spanish fighter has consistently sought out challenges that test his abilities and push him to grow as a martial artist. His willingness to face Amosov, despite the Ukrainian’s dangerous reputation, exemplifies this philosophy.

The Move to Welterweight: A Strategic Evolution

Álvarez’s transition to the welterweight division in October 2024 marked a significant turning point in his career. After competing primarily in the lightweight division earlier in his UFC tenure, Álvarez made the strategic decision to move up to 170 pounds, where he debuted with a victory. This change has allowed him to compete at a more natural weight, reducing the extreme weight cuts that characterized his earlier career.

The adjustment has been beneficial both physically and competitively. Álvarez now cuts approximately 10 pounds to make the welterweight limit, down from the more drastic cuts required when competing at lightweight. This has resulted in better energy levels during fight week and improved performance in the octagon. “The weight cut is just as hard, but fight week is more manageable,” Álvarez explained. “I don’t have that drastic energy drop I had before when I was cutting to 70 kilos and felt depleted. Now I have more margin to work with, and it’s working better for me.”

His comfort in the new division was evident in recent sparring sessions, where he held his own against significantly larger opponents. “I sparred with a middleweight and a light heavyweight, and where I could have been overwhelmed by size and strength, it wasn’t the case,” Álvarez noted. “I’m a strong welterweight. We’re very comfortable, very at ease. You can enjoy your career now in the welterweight division.”

The Amosov Challenge: A Genuine Threat

Yaroslav Amosov presents a unique challenge for Álvarez. The Ukrainian fighter, a former Bellator Welterweight Champion, brings an exceptional grappling pedigree to the octagon. Amosov’s background in sambo and his reputation as one of the most dangerous grapplers in the sport make him a formidable opponent for any welterweight.

Álvarez is acutely aware of the threat Amosov poses, particularly on the ground. “I know what to expect: he’s going to gaze to take the fight to the ground,” Álvarez stated. “I’ll try to preserve the fight standing in the striking phase, and that’s where the fight will be decided—by whoever can impose their game.” This acknowledgment of Amosov’s strengths while maintaining confidence in his own striking abilities demonstrates Álvarez’s realistic yet confident approach to the matchup.

The Asturian fighter recognizes that if Amosov successfully takes him to the ground, the Ukrainian’s grappling expertise could prove decisive. However, Álvarez remains confident in his ability to defend against takedowns and keep the fight in his preferred striking range.

UFC 328: A Premier Stage for Álvarez’s Statement

The timing and venue of Álvarez’s bout with Amosov could not be more favorable. UFC 328, scheduled for May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, features two world title bouts on the main card, including the highly anticipated clash between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev. This stacked card ensures maximum exposure for Álvarez’s bout, providing him with a significant platform to make a statement to the UFC hierarchy and fans worldwide.

The proximity to New York City likewise offers Álvarez and his team opportunities for rest and recreation during fight week, something he has looked forward to after previous experiences where weight cutting limited his ability to enjoy the host city. “We’ll escape at some point, we’ll get in the car and I’ll drive as always,” Álvarez said. “I’d love to proceed to the Coney Island area, I told my team. We have to go.”

Álvarez’s preparation for the bout has included valuable training partnerships, including a planned session with Benoit Saint Denis, the French lightweight contender who currently ranks #5 in the UFC lightweight division. The two fighters, who were nearly matched against each other in the past, will train together in Bayonne, France, near the Basque Country border. This collaboration exemplifies the camaraderie and mutual respect that exists among fighters, even when they come from different weight classes and competitive backgrounds.

Looking Beyond UFC 328: Álvarez’s Vision for 2025

Álvarez’s ambitions extend well beyond his upcoming bout with Amosov. The Spanish fighter has expressed a desire to maintain an active schedule throughout 2025, aiming to compete three or four times this year. This desire for frequent competition stems from his self-identification as a “worker” in the sport—someone who finds fulfillment in regular competition and the discipline of training camp.

His motivation is not primarily financial, though he acknowledges the importance of providing for his family. Rather, Álvarez emphasizes his love for the sport itself and his desire to remain an active participant in the UFC’s welterweight division. “I have two kids and I have to work,” he explained. “It’s not about lack of money, but I want activity, I want to enjoy the sport, I want to fight. I want to be an active UFC fighter, a worker, and I want to fight.”

This mindset has shaped Álvarez’s approach to matchmaking as well. When asked about potentially calling out specific ranked opponents, he was candid about his previous attempts to secure bouts with higher-ranked fighters. “I talked to my manager about wanting to fight some names like Daniel Rodríguez [#14], but he wasn’t available. I asked for more names and none were available. And I was already burned out and said: ‘Look, with whoever.’ For once that I asked and I didn’t like the gestures. I’m here to fight, I’m not going to walk around here like a prince or anything, I’m going to fight with whoever they send me and make money for my home, which is what I have to do.”

The Mindset of a Fighter: Beyond Rankings and Recognition

Álvarez’s perspective on his place in the welterweight division reveals a fighter who values competition over accolades. He acknowledges that he may be perceived as an “uncomfortable” opponent for top-15 fighters—a “shark outside the tank” who represents significant risk for limited reward in the eyes of some competitors and their management.

Yet rather than viewing this as a disadvantage, Álvarez embraces his role as a fighter who seeks out challenging matchups regardless of rankings or perceived difficulty. His willingness to face Amosov, despite the Ukrainian’s limited UFC experience but extensive international pedigree, exemplifies this approach. “It’s like, either I’m unconscious, which I don’t think I am because I’ve been in this for a long time, or I get the feeling that people are very cautious,” Álvarez reflected. “We’re here to fight, it’s our job, it’s what I’ve always done, it’s not something that worries me.”

This mindset has served Álvarez well throughout his career, allowing him to maintain focus on the fundamentals of his craft rather than becoming distracted by external perceptions or expectations.

What’s Next for Joel Álvarez

Álvarez’s immediate focus remains on his UFC 328 bout against Yaroslav Amosov on May 9, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. A victory in this bout would represent his ninth win in the UFC and could potentially position him for consideration in the welterweight top 15 rankings.

Beyond this specific matchup, Álvarez’s goal remains to maintain an active schedule in the UFC throughout 2025, continuing to seek out challenging opponents that test his abilities and allow him to grow as a martial artist. His commitment to the sport, his willingness to embrace difficult challenges, and his rejection of the notion that he has ever been pampered in the UFC define the approach of a fighter who understands that success in mixed martial arts comes not from avoiding difficult fights, but from embracing them.

What do you think about Joel Álvarez’s chances against Yaroslav Amosov at UFC 328? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with fellow MMA fans who appreciate fighters who embrace the true spirit of competition.