As promoters build furiously towards a local mixed martial arts (MMA) scene that can accommodate Philadelphia’s historically deep pool of talented fighters (think Joe Frazier, Charles Barkley, Andre Waters), the top level local talent must travel to compete for more sizable purses.
Thursday night, local powerhouse Eddie Alvarez — born and raised in Kensington, training out of Fishtown’s Philadelphia Fight Factory and currently living in the Northeast — faces off against Josh Neer in Boston at Bellator Fighting Championship (BFC) 17. Neer was a perennial 155 pound contender until back to back loses in UFC 101 and 104 sent him to lesser known promotions. Still, he is a high value target for Alvarez who has managed to climb to the number three ranking in the (155 pound) world without competing in the most well known North American promotions. A veteran of the highly completive Japanese MMA circuit (where smaller weight classes take center stage) Alvarez enters the ring on Thursday night as the returning 155 pound champ in the BFC.
Expect a good show- both fighters are known for their aggression, Neer sports one of the best nicknames in MMA as “the Dentist” and Alvarez is a self admitted “proud Kenzo.”
Keep BFC in mind as the very next week they will showcasing another Philly favorite: Wilson Reis. The Brazilian born 145 pounder trains out of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu United in Jenkintown and looks to avenge his only loss which came last year at the hands of Joe Soto — the underdog who went on to capture the 145 pound BFC title. Reis returned to the promotion this year by wearing down Shad Lierley with air-tight jiu jitsu before submitting him with a rear naked choke in the third round of their quarter final match. In the dominate victory Reis seemed to be grappling at inspired levels not seem since the smothering win over Abel Cullum in which he won the Elite XC championship and national attention. At BFC 18 Reis has a tough test against fellow Brazilian Patricio Freire who comes in with a 13-0 record.
The fights are scheduled to air live but deciphering how and where is another matter. According to Bellator.com the fight is scheduled to air on Comcast SportsNet at 930PM although TVguide doesn’t have it available until Sunday morning 3AM and on NBC. If you have DirectTV, you should be able to watch it live at 8PM on Fox Sportsnet.
And the Fox and the Hound Restaurant at 15 and Spruce Streets has confirmed they will show upon request.
Also Sherdog.com is hosting a live blow by blow chat starting at 7PM
If this clusterfuck gets any less murky, we will have updated info.
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