Ex-UFC champion Eddie Alvarez signs with ONE Championship

FILE – UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez reacts to the crowd after his UFC 205 Open Workouts at Madison Square Garden on November 9, 2016 in New York City. Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP

Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez has signed a multiple bout contract with ONE Championship, the promotion announced Tuesday.

Considered as of the biggest signings in the history of the promotion, Alvarez adds star power to ONE Championships’s growing roster of elite fighters.

Please join me in welcoming Eddie Alvarez to @ONEChampionship! I am super excited for our fans to witness Eddie's high octane, explosive dynamite KO style. Stay tuned for more big news! @Ealvarezfight pic.twitter.com/bM3K0COlie

— Chatri Sityodtong (@yodchatri) October 16, 2018

“Eddie is one of the world’s best martial artists in the world, and is no doubt a tremendous addition to the ONE roster,” said ONE Championship chairman Chatri Sityodtong in a statement.

“I am excited to have Eddie in that mix and to see some amazing matchups and performances.”

Alvarez won the UFC lightweight crown in 2016 after pummelling Rafael Dos Anjos into a technical knockout victory. His contract with the promotion ended in July.

ONE Championship’s lightweight throne is currently vacant after Martin Nguyen relinquished his title due to injury.