Eddie Alvarez Speaks on Reports of Personal Issues With Lauren Murphy During The Ultimate Fighter

MMAjunkie Radio recently interviewed former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez, who spoke about his issues with Lauren Murphy going on during The Ultimate Fighter 26. He also discussed his upcoming lightweight title bout with Justin Gaethje. Below are some highlights.

Alvarez is set to face Gaethje in a lightweight contest at UFC 218. The fight card is set for December 2 at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Alvarez on stories being told to the media: “The story that’s being told in the media is basically: I’m a bad guy because I wanted someone back in the gym immediately after their fight. And that was barely my gripe with that girl, in particular. That was the smalls thing that I didn’t like that was done that she did. I would also have to agree with you guys, to give somebody time off. I did want everyone back in the gym just to keep – personally, I did. But that was barely my gripe. My real gripe with that girl was that at that the first day, almost, she conspired against (Sijara Eubanks). Immediately, she was like, ‘We don’t care if ‘Sarj’ is 150 pounds.’ We – she’s speaking for the whole team now. And we just created the team. She goes, ‘We don’t care if ‘Sarj’ is 150 pounds. You can put her out first. It’s her fault she’s not prepared.’ So I was like, ‘Wow.’ Coach Marlon (Moraes) came to me and said, ‘Lauren said she don’t care if we put out ‘Sarj.” And this is in the mist of me, Mark and Marlon trying to put together a solid roster and win this thing. So I’m like, ‘No, that ain’t going to happen.’ I understand maybe she feels threatened by ‘Sarj,’ but ‘Sarj’ is on our team.”

Eddie Alvarez on how he thinks Lauren Murphy tried to sabotage the team: “She starts, ‘Hey, can you help me with a takedown, to take Barb down?’ I’m like, ‘Lauren, slow down. You have to fight Team Gaethje first.’ She still hasn’t fought her first fight against Nicco, and she’s already conspired twice or three times against everyone from Team Alvarez. I understand it’s Team Lauren Murphy because only one girl can win this, but it’s got to be one step at a time. Let’s beat Team Gaethje. Let’s get to the semifinals. Even then it’s bad to conspire, but let’s conspire then. Let’s take one thing at a time. There was a lot of bad energy, bad vibes when I’m trying to create a team.”

Eddie Alvarez on Murphy missing practice: “(Expletive), it was a good thing she missed practice. Her attitude sucked. It was probably a good thing, at the end of the day. I could care less about the practice.”

Eddie Alvarez not having a personal beef with Justin Gaethje: “He’s always been a cool cat. I wish I could bring up some beef for you guys and say I smacked him in the face or I shoved him. But there wasn’t much drama to be told on that level. He’s actually a hell of a human being. And he fights like a demon. So it was all good on that level.”

His thoughts on the match-up: “What I’m trying to do is not let a couple of punches go by before that comes out. I’m going to do a full round in the back, and I’ll be out hot. I’m going to come out of the tunnel hot. And we’re going to get right to it, right from the gate. More than jiu-jitsu, striking, boxing, whatever aspect of this game you want to talk about. More than anything, that’s the aspect I’ve been working on. If I can explain it, just not giving a (expletive). That’s what I’m working on.”