Pat Curran - photo courtesy of Bellator
Curran excited about chance to upset Alvarez
Pat Curran faces Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez in the main event of Bellator 39 on Saturday, and is excited for the opportunity to prove people wrong.
Curran won the Bellator Sesaon 2 Lightweight Tournament and was expected to meet Alvarez in Season 3, but a shoulder injury prevented Curran from competing.
The bout is finally here, and Curran looks back at the injury as a positive situation.
“After my shoulder injury, it took about a month to fully heal, and thank God it did. The injury was almost a blessing in disguise,” said Curran. “It gave me more time to prepare for Eddie and work on my game, so I’m actually glad that it happened and gave my body enough time to rest and heal.”
Alvarez is a heavy favorite heading into the match up, but Curran is used to the underdog role. He wasn’t expected to win any of his last three fights that led him to the title shot.
“It really doesn’t bother me,” Curran said. “After this fight people are definitely going to know who I am and they’re going to change how they think about me.”
All three of Curran’s submission wins on his record have come via heel hook. Alvarez’ last loss was by heel hook on New Year’s Eve 2008 to Shinya Aoki.
“I’m pretty confident in every one of my submissions,” said Curran when asked if he’d be looking for a heel hook on Saturday. “If I see it, I see it, and If I don’t I have other options.”
The 23-year old Curran is eager to pit his skills against on of the top ranked lightweights in the world.
“It’s an honor to get a chance to fight Eddie for the lightweight title. I’ve been waiting for this a long time. It’s in my thoughts all day long. It’s in my dreams. I’m very anxious and excited.”
Bellator 39 takes place on Saturday at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., and airs live on MTV2 at 9 p.m. ET.
