A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with 60 mixed martial arts fights
on his résumé, many of them from the no-holds-barred era, Flavio “The
Legendary” Alvaro is primarily responsible for the
Fighting Nerds’ ground and cage work.
Thanks to his MMA experience, Alvaro is also highly respected for
the mental preparation he provides in the corner, an aspect of his
coaching known internally as the “dark side” of the Fighting
Nerds.
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“Pablo [Sucupira] and I complement each other even in that. Between
rounds, while he brings the fight analysis and enforces our
tactical game plan, I keep our warrior mentally armored,” Alvaro
told Sherdog on Tuesday.
Fighting Nerds coach Flavio Alvaro explains how Jean Silva
perfected the choke he used on Jose Delgado
As Jean
Silva showed in a video posted to Instagram on Sunday, the
submission he used against Delgado on Saturday was taught to him by
Alvaro, which is why it has been dubbed the “Legendary Choke.” “The video Jean posted shows how we train, including the sequence
he used on Saturday. He had actually already tried to apply it
against Bryce
Mitchell, but the chin adjustment was missing, and that is the
big secret of the Legendary Choke. The chin acts as a second hand
that allows the adjustment. Jean fixed the position in training,
and now it clicked,” Alvaro said.
In Alvaro’s opinion, Silva’s seventh win in eight UFC appearances —
six of them by knockout or submission — should be enough to earn
the Fighting Nerds standout a title shot. However, former Bellator
contender Aaron Pico
could potentially cut in line.
“Given everything he’s done — seven wins, six by finish — and the
entertainment he has been providing, Jean should fight the winner
of Evloev vs. Volkanovski,” Alvaro said. “But we have to understand
that Aaron Pico is beloved in the U.S., even though he is only 1-1
in the promotion.
“We have to understand that the UFC is an American show, and it has
been a long time since they have had a chance at a champion, so it
could be that if Pico beats Allen, Jean will still have to fight
him for the title shot. But honestly, I do not believe he beats
Arnold
Allen.”
Alvaro also made clear which potential champion he would prefer
Silva to face.
“We definitely want Volkanovski, who is a legend of the sport,”
Alvaro said. “And it would add much more to Jean than a win over
Evloev.”