Lightweights Joel Alvarez and Elves Brener kicked off the UFC Abu Dhabi card at the Etihad Area on Saturday, airing live on broadcast network ABC.
Alvarez entered the bout coming off a win over Marc Diakiese, while Brener looked to bounce back from a loss to Myktybek Orolbai.
Alvarez looked sharp early on, controlling the pace of the fight and picking his shots nicely as Brener looked to mount some offense of his own. The Spaniard remained cool and composed, landing a wide variety of strikes while displaying some great takedown defense.
Joel Alvarez, who boasts 17 wins by way of submission, managed to lock in a deep D’Arce choke in the waning moments of the round, though Brener showed true grit and would hold on for nearly 30 seconds before finally hearing the bell.
After 10 minutes of lightweight action, Alvarez looked to be ahead, though he would not be content with a decision victory. He began to put together a flurry of vicious combinations, followed by a series of knees that would floor Brener and effectively end the fight.
Alvarez called out King Green following the TKO win, calling his shot for another lightweight scrap in Abu Dhabi in October.
“No takedowns, no submissions, only boxing,” Alvarez bellowed in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier, referencing a potential bout with Green.
Brener gets handed his second consecutive loss after jumping out to a hot (3-0) start to his UFC career. The Brazilian lightweight continues to show his heart and determination with each fight that passes, but will need to correct a few aspects of his game in order to get back into the win column.
Official Result: Joel Alvarez def. Elves Brener by TKO, Round 3, 3:36
