ONE Championship’s run on primetime in the U.S. got off to a rather frustrating start, with Eddie Alvarez (10-8) disqualified in the first round of his lightweight contest with Iuri Lapicus (15-1).
After a brief feeling-out process to start the fight, Alvarez shot inside for a takedown and was able to drag the action to the canvas in the opening minute. Seated near the cage and with his opponent in a dominant position, Lapicus turned his face toward the fence, leaving only the back of his head exposed. Alvarez threw a few right hands that landed to the base of the skull – and Lapicus screamed out before falling back to the canvas.
Referee Justin Brown immediately intervened as Alvarez turned to hammerfists. Following a brief moment of confusion, Brown presented Alvarez with a red card.
Should Eddie Alvarez have been DQ'd for this? 🧐 @Ealvarezfight @tntdrama #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship #ONEonTNT pic.twitter.com/pdNYqaOfeJ
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) April 8, 2021
After the call was made, a clearly emotional Alvarez said he thought the blows were legal but apologized for the transgression and expressed concern for his opponent’s well-being as he was carted off in a stretcher.
“You guys put me in a cage,” Alvarez said. “The referee, he’s in there. Whatever call he makes, that’s it. I apologize. I hope Iuri is OK.”
ONE on TNT I took place at Singapore Indoor Stadium and aired live on TNT in the U.S.
ONE flyweight champion Adriano Moraes faces former UFC champ Demetrious Johnson in the night’s main event, which is still to come.
