Not that Sam Alvey was the punchline to an MMA joke or anything a few years back – for nickname and personality alone, few would call “Smilin'” Sam a joke.
But at best, he’s the answer to a trivia question that he’d probably rather not be, in that he went 0-8-1 over his final nine fights in the UFC before he had to look for a fight elsewhere.
The last couple years have been a different story, though. After Alvey signed on with Karate Combat, he’s had four wins and three knockouts – including one against kickboxing legend Tyrone Spong a week ago.
The career surge has been impressive for Alvey, who has resurrected things under the Karate Combat banner and regards the promotion as the combat sports leader in the discipline.
Alvey said the proverbial butterflies that exist for a fight in the UFC are the same for much smaller shows like Karate Combat.
“It is the exact same whether I was fighting for Joe Schmoe in my backyard or I was fighting for the UFC or fighting for Karate Combat: Walking out in front of people – I love it. (Fans) cheering or booing, just being there, being present – I just love it,” Alvey told MMA Junkie Radio. “I just have no nerves for either of them. Both feel just as important, even though there’s more people in the stands with the UFC event. … But no nerves (for me). They just give you the spotlight and they shine it on you.”
Now that Alvey has proven he can hang around elite MMA for a while, plus his quick success in the karate arena, he’d be willing to put it on the line for the sport of karate against a champion from an organization that is willing to co-promote
“I’d fight anyone at any time,” Alvey said. “I mean, if PFL wanted me to fight Francis Nagannou, yeah, I’ll do that too. I just like fighting. It’s a joy. If they want me to prove I’m better than BKFC (and its champion), I would do that in a heartbeat.”
