Chael Sonnen has his “legends ass kicking tour.” Sam Alvey apparently has a tour of his own, too.
The UFC middleweight slugger said on the FS1 post-fight show after UFC Fight Night 114 that this year he wants to avenge old losses handed to his coach Dan Henderson. Alvey dubbed it his “2017 vengeance tour.”
And first up was Rashad Evans. Alvey knocked off the former UFC light heavyweight champion by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) on the Mexico City card Saturday night. Next, “Smile’n Sam” is hoping for a showdown with MMA legend Vitor Belfort.
“I’m here to correct those mistakes,” Alvey said. “Rashad Evans started it. Vitor, you’re next. I’ll fight you anywhere you want — Brazil, I’ll fight you in Pittsburgh. I want to fight in Japan, but maybe you don’t want to. I’ll fight you in Canada. You name a spot, I’ll be there my friend.”
Henderson, who retired last year, lost to Belfort in 2013 and 2015. He fell to Evans in 2013. Alvey might be busy with names like Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida and current middleweight champion Michael Bisping on the list of Henderson losses who are still active in the UFC.
But then again, Alvey (31-9, 1 NC) is a busy guy. He’s fought three times in 2017 and four times last year. The Wisconsin native and longtime Team Quest fighter only has one loss in his last six fights.
Alvey, 31 was happy to beat Evans, but it wasn’t the kind of victory he was hoping for. He has 18 knockouts in 31 career wins and that is his preference.
“I’m incredibly disappointed in myself with only a split decision,” Alvey said. “I wanted to make a dominant statement. I’m a finisher and it’s been too many fights now since I’ve finished someone. I’ve gotta figure it out.”
Part of the problem, Alvey said, was putting Evans on a pedestal. “Suga” is someone he has looked up to for many years, going back to the former Michigan State wrester’s time atop the light heavyweight division.
“He’s been an idol of mine in MMA,” Alvey said. “He’s been either one or two in my favorite fighter list. I’ve gotta say Henderson number one, because he’ll beat me up if I don’t. I think I gave [Evans] too much respect on how good his shot was, how good everything he did was. I just refused to throw that third punch, I refused to press like I really wanted to.”