Rematch with Aoki is likely Alvarez's last dance with Bellator

Bellator's next lightweight season kicks off on March 23rd, but one name is notably absent from the list of entrants: recently deposed king Eddie Alvarez, whose crown was taken by Season 4 winner Michael Chandler in an epic war back in November.  Despite Bjorn Rebney's urging, Alvarez chose not to enter this season's tournament and work towards a rematch with Chandler, opting instead for a chance to avenge his 2008 loss to DREAM champ Shinya Aoki.  Alvarez says they're aiming for April 20th (presumably Bellator 66) and it's just down to the paperwork, and Rebney's talking like it's on too, so that's a good sign.

Alvarez used to talk like he was cool with hanging out in Bellator and fighting relative unknowns for the time being, with the plan to build up his name and resume until the UFC would welcome him with much hype and money.  Considering he's making "six figures" per fight under Bellator, much more than Zuffa offered, it was hard to fault him.  Except that plan only works as long as you continue to dominate, and your stock suffers when you lose to one of those relative nobodies.  Alvarez is now more or less admitting that he's learned this lesson the hard way.

?It makes no sense for me to rejoin a tournament and fight three guys that people don?t really care to see me fight rather than fight someone a Shinya Aoki, who is ranked in my weight class.  I haven?t fought anyone ranked in my weight class in God knows how long.  I?d be stupid not to take this fight. He?s ranked top five in my weight class, I believe, and it?ll get me back into the rankings.  I?ll be able to forward positively.?

Not only is Alvarez looking for higher-profile opponents now, there's two other big reasons why he'd rather take a "super-fight" than run the gauntlet again.  First, he doesn't think he should have to win the tourney to earn a rematch with Chandler.

read more

Source: http://www.fightlinker.com/rematch-with-aoki-is-likely-alvarezs-last-dance-with-bellator

diego sanchez ea mma fighter mma frank mir georges st. pierre gracie