Former UFC fighter Sam Alvey has found some success since his release from the Las Vegas-based promotion last year.
On Saturday night, ‘Smilin’ made his debut for Karate Combat at KC41 in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Squaring off with Brazilian standout Adam Rosa in a heavyweight scrap, Alvey landed a big right hand in the waning moments of the opening round. With Rosa on the mat, Alvey moved in and delivered some nasty ground-and-pound strikes that forced the referee to step in and call for the stoppage just before time ran out on the round.
Alvey celebrated his victory letting out a mighty roar.
Sam Alvey by nasty first round KO. 🥋#KC41 pic.twitter.com/8pb8e4owKW
— MacMally 🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) September 17, 2023
Sam Alvey found that chin and ended with devastating ground and pound! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ENJMeEBEtx
— Karate Combat (@KarateCombat) September 17, 2023
Sam Alvey is now 2-0 since departing the UFC, earning a third-round TKO against Cameron Graham under the B2 Fight Series banner in May.
Most fight fans were first introduced to Alvey during the 16th season of the UFC’s long-running reality series, The Ultimate Fighter. Alvey exited the show after losing his second fight via a majority decision, but after adding four more wins to his record on the regional scene, ‘Smilin’ was signed by the promotion in 2014. He came up short in his promotional debut but bounced back with three straight.
His longest win streak with the UFC was four in a row between 2016 and 2017. During that run, Alvey scored a notable victory over Nate Marquardt.
‘Smilin’ also earned a split decision win over Rashad Evans in 2017, but things began to unravel for Alvey the following year. Beginning in 2018, Alvey went on a historic nine-fight winless streak with eight defeats and a split draw against Da Un Jung at UFC 249.
Alvey finished his UFC run going 10-13-1 inside the Octagon.
