Lowen Tynanes Targets ‘Legend’ Eddie Alvarez In World Grand Prix
It was a long road back to ONE Championship for Lowen Tynanes, but he made up for lost time in the first ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix quarter-final.
The undefeated Hawaiian needed less than a round to finish former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario at ONE: HERO’S ASCENT on 25 January.
It was nothing short of miraculous that Tynanes made it back to the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines in the first place after a debilitating back injury had him questioning if he would ever compete again.
He says that time and training got him ready for his return, but actually walking into the cage for the first time in nearly three years was a scary experience.
“Taking that next step and stepping into the ring was my biggest fear,” Tynanes says.
“A lot of the injury was with my sciatic nerve, it was a pain that would just shoot down my leg. When it would stab my butt, it would shock me, and I’d be very afraid.
“It would put me into a negative mood, and it would keep me away from the gym.”
Over time, Tynanes was able to heal up and gain confidence, and he faced Banario completely pain-free and ready to resume his career.
Everything that had been building up inside him since 2016 came pouring out in his performance as he finished Banario via TKO on the ground.
It was a dominant showcase of his powerhouse ability, but even Tynanes admits he did not believe it would happen that way against an opponent he has a lot of respect for.
“I expected to go all three rounds,” Tynanes explains.
“Our game plan was exactly what we did. I was very surprised it finished in the first. I was so pumped up, I could have gone another five rounds. I had so much built up – mentally and physically.
“At the end of the day, I felt very stoked with the way things played out.”
The win punched Tynanes’ ticket to the semi-finals of the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix where he awaits either Eddie Alvarez or Timofey Nastyukhin, who will meet on 31 March at ONE: A NEW ERA in Tokyo, Japan.
Even before the tournament started, Tynanes had a long-term goal to face Alvarez because of his admiration for the 35-year old multi-time World Champion.
“I found out on the night of the fight that Eddie Alvarez was on the same side of the bracket as me,” Tynanes reveals.
“I assumed they would have put him on the other side. I was very surprised, but I have a better chance of fighting the legend now. This is amazing.”
Tynanes certainly does not discount the skills that Nastyukhin brings into the cage with him, but ultimately he believes Alvarez will get the job done.
“I think Eddie will dominate,” Tynanes says.
“I don’t know much about his camp and how they are doing things, but I know Timofey is a very explosive striker. Every single strike he puts all of his power, and I would say his weaker side would be on the ground. I would expect Eddie to expose that.
“I’m definitely leaning on Eddie’s side. I think he’s going to be victorious.”
Tynanes wasted no time after his win getting back into the gym, where he says he has routinely been the first person in the door and the last one to leave.
Now he is healthy, Tynanes just wants to compete as often as possible.
If he was disappointed about one thing in his career right now, it is that he has to wait for Alvarez and Nastyukhin to do battle in March before he can find out who he faces next.
“They’re fighting in March. Give me one of these other guys,” Tynanes says with a laugh.
“I can fight in March, too.”
