In the Kensington section of Philadelphia, if you want something you better be ready to fight for it or work really hard for it, because nothing gets handed to you for free. It's a neighborhood that's very heavy on pride and tradition, but just as light on opportunities. Growing up in such an area has shaped Eddie Alvarez into the man he's become today - a father, a husband, a fighter and now a champion.

The Bellator lightweight champion spoke recently to FiveKnuckles' Mike Williams about what it's like to grow up in Kensington, what makes Frankie Edgar great, and why he's not fighting in the UFC.

FK: What are your thoughts on your upcoming fight with Josh Neer?

EA: He's a veteran from the UFC. It's always good to get a veteran from the UFC considering that you don't really get much recognition unless you fight in the UFC. I'm excited about it. I like the match up and I think it'll be a good fight.

FK: So this fight is for Bellator, but your title isn't on the line?

EA: No, this isn't a title fight. I think it's just a super fight which will be three five-minute rounds, so it'll just be a super fight but won't be for the title, which - I don't know - some people are against it but I don't make those decisions, the organization does.

FK: Your Bellator contract allows you to fight in other organizations and now you're the champ and you're fighting in a non-title fight. Is it fair to say that these things are a bit out of the norm but not necessarily right or wrong?

EA: The thing is: I went through a whole tournament in order to win this belt and I think anybody who's going to challenge me for the belt is going to have to win a tournament as well. I think it only makes sense to earn your way into a title shot. I really just want to stay busy and I want to fight. And they really can't crown another contender until they go through another tournament. So in between I'm going to try to stay as busy as I can and get as many fights as I can.

FK: What does it mean to you to come from Philadelphia where the fighting tradition is so rich?

EA: That's what I explain to some people. I say that while it's normal for some people in the suburbs to play hockey or stickball and things like that, fighting was really big in my neighborhood, so people used to bring out boxing gloves and it was the norm. It wasn't like "Oh! These guys are fighting!" It was like we were playing stick-ball or something. I mean, we just chose a different route, so I grew up around it and it was always around me and I always enjoyed it. I'm proud to be where I'm from. It's behind me now and I'm a better person because I came from an area where the odds are against you. It's helped me as a fighter to deal with adversity and move on. I'm proud to fly the Philly flag and to be from where I'm from and to be able to do what I do for a living.

FK: On the subject of where the odds are against you, can you speak more about coming from the area of the city that you come from and what it means to be where...