Sam Alvey

Background

Originally from Waterford, Wisconsin, Alvey competed in football and wrestling in high school and was also a talented musician. Alvey played trumpet in the school's marching band and went on to Lakeland College to play the trumpet semi-professionally. In college, Alvey began competing in pankration before eventually transitioning into a career in mixed martial arts.

Early career

Alvey began his amateur career in 2007, and was defeated via TKO in the second round of his first amateur bout. He rebounded to win his next two, before turning professional in July 2008. Alvey's early career took place entirely in the state of Wisconsin, where he posted an early 11-1 record, which included multiple wins in the King of the Cage promotion.

Bellator

Following a win at Light Heavyweight against Bellator MMA fighter and veteran Jason Guida, Alvey was on a three-fight winning streak and was signed by Bellator. His debut match was at Middleweight against future Bellator Welterweight Tournament Champion Karl Amoussou at Bellator 45. Early on, Amoussou bloodied Alvey with varied strikes and worked towards an armbar, though as the fight progressed, Amoussou started to tire and Alvey soon gained control of the fight in the second round and managed to secure a takedown late in the third round. After three rounds, Alvey was victorious via split decision.

Following his win over Amoussou, Alvey was named as a participant in Bellator Season Five Middleweight Tournament, where he faced Vitor Vianna. The fight saw Alvey utilize his reach advantage early in the fight, but by round two, Vianna started to control the bout, having taken Alvey down to the ground. At the end of the second round, Vianna had locked in a rear-naked choke, but time expired, allowing Alvey to make it into the third round. The third round was regarded as much closer and the fight went a decision. Alvey lost via split decision and was eliminated from the tournament.

The Ultimate Fighter

Alvey was then selected to be a part of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson, where he dropped down to welterweight for the first time. In the opening episode, he fought Leo Kuntz to get into the house. Alvey won via quick first-round knockout after a single, clean right hook. During the fighter picks, Shane Carwin selected Alvey first overall. In the third episode, Alvey was selected by Carwin to fight Joey Rivera of Team Nelson. Rivera started the fight by landing two quick head kicks and then landed a takedown. Alvey then had to defend against a guillotine choke and a triangle choke in the first round. In the second round, Alvey started to land more strikes, but was rocked by another head kick from Rivera. Though Alvey survived to go to a decision, Rivera was victorious via majority decision (19-19, 20-18, 20-18).

Maximum Fighting Championship

Alvey's MFC debut was against Elvis Mutapcic for the MFC Middleweight Championship at MFC 36, He lost via unanimous decision. Alvey defeated UFC & Bellator veteran Jay Silva at MFC 37 via TKO in round three. He then won the MFC Middleweight Championship by defeating Jason South and successfully defended it once against Wes Swofford before moving to the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In June 2014, it was announced that Alvey had signed with the UFC. He made his debut on August 16, 2014 against Tom Watson at UFC Fight Night 47. He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.

For his second fight with the promotion, Alvey faced Dylan Andrews on November 8, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 55. He won the fight via knockout due to punches in the first round.

Alvey faced Cezar Ferreira on February 22, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 61. Alvey won the fight via knockout in the first round. Subsequently, Alvey won a Performance of the Night bonus.

Alvey faced Dan Kelly on May 10, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 65. Alvey won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Alvey faced Derek Brunson on August 8, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 73. He lost the fight by TKO in the first round.

Alvey was expected to face Daniel Sarafian on February 21, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 83. However, Alvey pulled out of the bout in late December after sustaining a broken jaw and was replaced by Oluwale Bamgbose.

Alvey next faced Elias Theodorou on June 18, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 89. The bout remained on the feet for nearly all of its duration in a largely uneventful fight where neither fighter was able to deliver any significant offense. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After sustaining virtually no damage during his previous fight, Alvey was quickly rescheduled and faced promotional newcomer Eric Spicely on July 13, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 91. He won the fight via submission in first round.

Alvey competed in his third bout in three months as he faced Kevin Casey on August 27, 2016 at UFC on Fox 21. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Alvey again made a quick return to the cage and faced Alex Nicholson on November 5, 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Alvey faced Nate Marquardt on January 28, 2017 at UFC on Fox 23. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Alvey faced Thales Leites on April 22, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 108. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Alvey faced Rashad Evans on August 5, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 114. He won the fight by split decision.

Personal life

Alvey has three children with his wife McKey Sullivan, winner of the eleventh cycle of America's Next Top Model.

Championships and accomplishments