On May 2, 2025, Sam Alvey scored a massive upset at Karate Combat 54 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, knocking out kickboxing icon Tyrone Spong in the second round to defend his heavyweight title. Streamed on YouTube and UFC Fight Pass, the main event saw Alvey, a former UFC middleweight, drop Spong with a right hand and left hook, finishing with a final punch that led referee Marc Goddard to halt the bout.
Alvey, 38, joined Karate Combat in 2023 after a winless UFC stint ended in 2022. Now 4-0 in the promotion, he holds both heavyweight and light heavyweight titles. Spong, a 39-year-old with a 107-7 kickboxing record and 14-0 in boxing, returned after a three-year break. He pressured early with body shots, but Alvey survived an accidental eye poke in round two before landing the decisive blows.
Alvey’s Ambitious Callout
Post-fight, Alvey targeted former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall, who debuted in MMA with a 30-second knockout at KSW 105.
“I am going to kick your ass, respectfully,” Alvey said. “You’re incredible. I’ve seen what you’re doing. I want a piece.”
SAM ALVEY KNOCKS OUT TYRONE SPONG FOR THE KARATE COMBAT HEAVYWEIGHT BELT 🏆 #KC54 pic.twitter.com/LwSu9WXV68
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) May 2, 2025
He also mentioned defending his light heavyweight belt next, showing his drive to compete across divisions.
X posts buzzed with shock, with fans praising Alvey’s “gladiator” spirit while some questioned Spong’s form after his layoff. The Wisconsin fighter, nicknamed “Smilin’ Sam,” thrives in Karate Combat’s pit arena, which he credits for his career revival. Though a UFC return is unlikely, he told MMA Fighting he’s committed to Karate Combat but open to a big offer.
The event also highlighted Muhammad Mokaev’s debut knockout, but Alvey’s win dominated headlines, reinforcing his status as a double champion and fueling talk about his potential matchup with Hall despite weight class challenges.
