Shinya Aoki vs. Eddie Alvarez Verbally Agreed For Bellator Bout
by Anton Tabuena on Aug 24, 2011 1:46 PM EDT
in Bellator News
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A few months after his DREAM.17 bout this September, Shinya Aoki, who has moved his training camp out of Japan and into the Evolve MMA gym in Singapore, is likely to fight outside of Asia once again. Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez has been asking for a rematch against Aoki for quite some time now, and it looks like he's finally going to get his request.
The two met on Japan's New Year's Eve show almost three years ago, with Aoki only needing a minute and 32 seconds to lock in a submission.
BloodyElbow.com has confirmed with credible sources close to the situation that the rematch is indeed underway, and will this time, be contested in Bellator. The deal hasn't been signed, although verbal agreements from DREAM and Bellator, along with both Aoki and Alvarez are in place.
Bellator has been notorious for having title contenders go through tournaments, but the promotion could make an exception when their title holder faces the DREAM lightweight champ in Aoki. The sources, who wished to remain anonymous due to the ongoing negotiations, mentioned that while things haven't been finalized, the Bellator lightweight championship that Alvarez holds is likely to be defended.
Tony Loiseleur was the first to report on the match up, stating that the bout is in the works for a 2012 clash.
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Why would Bellator do this?
Aoki won’t stay with Bellator would he? This is a one and done thing?
So if Eddie loses… what happens? They devalue there belt for nothing? Is Eddie free from his championship clause?
It isn’t like Aoki is going to grab more eyeballs. The hardcores already watch Bellator.
by dbcb on Aug 24, 2011 1:48 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
by the time this happens nobody will be with strikeforce
by davec84 on Aug 24, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Only in the sense that my ex-girlfriend is "kinda" dating me.
(So, no, is the answer, I think.)
Staff Editor at GamePro
Follow Me: @KenTheGreat1
I Interviewed Dana White Once & It Was Totally Cool
by McKinley B. Noble on Aug 24, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
HELLO
If this actually happens, it will be great
You know what they say
by NEW-HAMPSHIRE on Aug 24, 2011 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
recent history tells me not to pick Aoki
but I don’t k now if Eddie will be able to shut him down like Gil did. I would make Eddie a slight favorite in the cage in the States.
???
recent history tells me not to pick Aoki
Aoki has won 5 in a row (with 4 subs), including Lyle Beerbohm, Rich Clementi, Marcus Aurelio, and Tatsuya Kawajiri.
Recent history tells me he’s hot right now.
Learn JiuJitsu.
Always looking for that new danger.
as a fan of anime I definitely enjoy his cosplay entrances
but it seems like he doesn’t get the respect he deserves from American fans due to it.
@TylerTreese on twitter
www.thatmmablog.blogspot.com/
He's a weird mofo... but the dude would fuck you up for making fun of him for sure.
He’s a badass despite dressing up like a girl. He has some serious power.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
I meant Aoki and his Dream brethren coming over to the states
and Aoki is 1-1 here getting trounced by an elite fighter, he did pick up a win, but it was against someone who at best could be a SF challengers mainstay.
And he lost twice in 2010 while beating Kawajiri and some journeymen after that, it’s not like he has been some unstoppable juggernaut against top level guys lately.
it’s not like he has been some unstoppable juggernaut against top level guys lately.
Eddie Alvarez is?
Learn JiuJitsu.
Always looking for that new danger.
We have no real way to know exactly how good Eddit is unfortunatley.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
another rematch against Aoki
if he loses, gives us a pretty good idea, actually.
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Aug 24, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
and if he beats him we still have no clue.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
this is true
Personally, I don’t think he will
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Aug 24, 2011 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe Bellator holds this show in Japan?
Follow me on Twitter or Russell Mora will let Abner Mares grind your balls into a fine mist! @BVandDietPepsi
No chance. I'd hold the event at another Indian reservation before going to Japan.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
The Japanese market isn't exactly at it's peak right now.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
for starters, the economy and the audience probably wouldn’t be as hot as they’d like. it’s one thing for a small promo to do a small show in it’s native country, and another entirely to go to another country just to have this one fight as the major marketing point.
we don’t know who else would be on this card, either. does anyone in Japan follow Bellator? i’d need more information before considering the option to begin with, but i’ll side with Chris and keep it small for now.
by Victor Rodriguez on Aug 24, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Looking over their fighter list they don't seem to have one Japanese fighter under contract.
They have some guys who have fought in Japan (Sandro, Warren, Hieron, etc…) but no one on the website is an actual Japanese fighter.
You’d have to either sign some fighters for the card, or do a co-promotion with DREAM to pull it off.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
i totally agree. but it still won’t be enough. Japanese audiences are notorious for wanting to see some of their own fighters as well. Bellator just might not be in shape to mount a show like that.
by Victor Rodriguez on Aug 24, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
If it's the headliner, right?
With two top 10 lightweights fighting each other in a champion vs. champion match, I’d hope that the case.
Staff Editor at GamePro
Follow Me: @KenTheGreat1
I Interviewed Dana White Once & It Was Totally Cool
by McKinley B. Noble on Aug 24, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
But will it draw enough to make it worth all the hastle involved?
How many Bellator events have happened over seas exactly?
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
First time for everything
Aoki would be pretty good incentive to try.
Plus they sign a bunch of Japanese prospects, have them fight aging western fighters.
Kind of the opposite of DREAM.
Learn JiuJitsu.
Always looking for that new danger.
So one relevant fight is enough to warrant an entire card in another country?
A country experiencing a down turn in MMA interest no less.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
Who says only one relevent fight?
Bring Hector Lombard in and/or Ben Askren, fuck it, bring all your big names to Japan.
Megumi Fujii could co headline.
It could be a great card, you just want to poop on everything.
Learn JiuJitsu.
Always looking for that new danger.
Aoki doesn’t draw. That’s kinda one of the reasons DREAM is a zombie promotion.
by VirtualBalboa on Aug 24, 2011 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Fuck yeah
-AboveThisFire
The mat is my church, the ground is my heaven, Jiu-Jitsu is my religion. And once you hit the ground you're in my world. My world is like the ocean, I’m like a shark and most people don't even know how to swim - Draculino
If I live in a castle and you want to kill me, storming the gates is probably not the best idea. You'd do a lot better hitting me in the head with a brick when I come out for the mail. -Ryan Hall
I think i’ll take Aoki in this battle of overrated Lightweights. Should be a fun fight though.
"Who are you and how the hell did you get in here?"
"I'm a locksmith... and i'm a locksmith."
Just a little unnecessary negativity. I hope you have a lovely day.
by bigstupidsmile on Aug 24, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
except he's right...
http://nohonestsleep.tumblr.com
http://penguinsfromthenorth.tumblr.com
http://www.scenepointblank.com
by Chad Raynard on Aug 24, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Just a thought, but If the truth is that uncomfortable for you, perhaps your the one with the problem?
Anyway, thanks! Been having a pretty great morning so far. Hopefully the rest of the day goes as well.
"Who are you and how the hell did you get in here?"
"I'm a locksmith... and i'm a locksmith."
Nah, no problems here.
It just strikes me that no matter what nice thing is announced, there is always someone to crap on it, though, your comments were not an example of petulance, just a common debate. I don’t know though, 4th and 5th ranked seems pretty reasonable considering their records and performance, though I would slide them down to 5th and 6th to make room for ben henderson. I understand there is debate about just how much they have been tested, but we must consider what has happened and about how we feel.
by bigstupidsmile on Aug 24, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
It was completely necessary. They are morbidly overrated.
Favorite League of Legends characers:
Amumu
Malphite
Singed
Teemo
Nunu
by Hendo_One-Shot on Aug 24, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
morbidly?
as in Dario Argento morbid, or George Romero morbid?
Hyperbole FTW!
Who's the only one here who knows illegal ninja moves from the government?
No holds barred, no time for move fakin,
Gots to get the loot so I can bring home the bacon - Charlie Brown
If Alvarez loses his belt to Aoki I wish he would bolt to UFC. I doubt it though, since UFC ain’t going to pay him well coming off a loss.
I'll go with Tony's sources.
“Though both men are reigning champions in opposite organizations, neither title will be up for grabs if and when they clash.”
Also why does “Tony Loiseleur” link to BloodyElbow’s homepage…
@TylerTreese on twitter
www.thatmmablog.blogspot.com/
Fixed the link
my bad. I could’ve swore I linked that properly. (unless things got mixed up when I linked the BloodyElbow.com part as well, it was 2am when I wrote this) Apologies.
Also, while things can still change cause it is still very early, (they haven’t received bout agreements, and Alvarez is defending his Title on October), you can rest assured that my sources are pretty reliable on this case, and Eddie’s title being on the line is what was initially agreed on.
by Anton Tabuena on Aug 24, 2011 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions
and MMA Nation lists it as a non-tile bout...
BE is the odd one out
@TylerTreese on twitter
www.thatmmablog.blogspot.com/
why not just have it for the title?
it would be a good title fight and they are not doing a LW tournament this season. Regular Bellator tradition be damned.
Sets a bad precedent for other fighters, and if Aoki wins he probably doesn't stay with Bellator.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
why would Aoki want Bellator’s 155 title? He should flip it off and throw it into the crowd after subbing Alvarez again.
Who's the only one here who knows illegal ninja moves from the government?
No holds barred, no time for move fakin,
Gots to get the loot so I can bring home the bacon - Charlie Brown
He should flip it off and throw it into the crowd after subbing Alvarez again.
Except that Melendez, a fighter with a skillset very similar to Alvarez’s, has already shown the blueprint for dominating Aoki…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Aug 25, 2011 2:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Melendez is a much better wrestler than Alvarez.
Learn JiuJitsu.
Always looking for that new danger.
by RolloTomasi on Aug 25, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
He might be a bit better, but certainly not much better imo. Maybe someday we’ll get to find out…sigh…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Aug 25, 2011 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
and Aoki has already subbed Alvarez…do you think Aoki, or either fighter for that matter, hasn’t grown from past experiences?
Who's the only one here who knows illegal ninja moves from the government?
No holds barred, no time for move fakin,
Gots to get the loot so I can bring home the bacon - Charlie Brown
I’m sure they both have, although at this point in his career I don’t see Aoki developing any sort of an MMA Wrestling game. If they fight in a ring Alvarez might be in trouble though…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Aug 25, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Finally
We get to see Alvarez fight a top 10 LW since he joined Bellator! Should be an interesting fight. Good to see Bellator isn’t afraid to make some play at some named fighters now.
Goldie: Michael Jordanesque in his grappling skills is Travis Lutter
Rogan (with a sound of disgust in his voice): No, no, no he is not.
Goldie: He is not that good?
Yeah but i think Alvarez has this won if he does not get taken down.
Aoki has no striking at all.
by SLIP15 on Aug 24, 2011 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
That's not fair
He’s got decent kickboxing, definitely not that bad.
He was fighting a dangerous professional kick boxer.
"Run and tweet THAT, homeboy."
by TheFilt on Aug 24, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
That Gilbert is a better fighter
It was frustrating to watch, but he fought smart and did well.
Gil’s hands looked flat-out awesome against Kawajiri.
"Run and tweet THAT, homeboy."
I really belive that if Alvarez followes the same plan as gilbert he might finish him.
I’ll leave you with with a joke.
i hope this fight happens, but it can’t be for the bellator title because if it is they will screw up the only thing good about bellator ( torny winner gets title shot )
i’m all for a superfight but no tittle fight
They could always market it
and justify things cause it’s a champion vs champion bout.
by Anton Tabuena on Aug 24, 2011 2:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
sorry but
the rule is torny winner to get title shot. dream champs means the same as mfc champ or titan champ.
i hope bjorn doesn’t screw it up for this.
Does the Bellator title mean anymore than Titan or MFC?
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
Only titles that really matter are
UFC’s HW-BW
Tachi’s Flyweight
SF’s 145, 135
Bellator’s 115
I’m a bit ignorant when it comes to 115 for men in MMA would that be Shooto? I know Junji Ikoma has Shooto’s belt.
@TylerTreese on twitter
www.thatmmablog.blogspot.com/
That's about how I would see it. Though I admit to having no knowledge on 115, and very little about 125.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
or its the worst thing about Bellator.
Its nice the winner of the tourney gets a shot, but that shouldn’t be the only path to the title. One day a ‘superfight’ challenger will beat the champ then is told they need to fight back through the stupid tournament for a title rematch.
Konrad had to wait almost a year for a fight, then it was non-title…Alvarez has fought 3 times for Bellator in 3 years since winning the title, 2 of those were non-title. That’s ridiculous.
Who's the only one here who knows illegal ninja moves from the government?
No holds barred, no time for move fakin,
Gots to get the loot so I can bring home the bacon - Charlie Brown
seems about right
Twitter @i_c_u_hater
Http://BBDreaming.com
by Thats It For you! on Aug 24, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
so Aoki will win either way?
Cause those knees give him the W in the USA.
"Many have the will to win. Few have to will to prepare to win."
" A black belt only covers 2 inches of your ass. The rest is up to you." - Royce Gracie
"Wanderlei eventually got to his feet and stalked Fujita like a Japanese octopus in an all-female prison." - Sean Baby Cracked.com
by the-gentle-way on Aug 24, 2011 2:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
his post-fight histrionics are worse than his standup
but thats some sweeeeeeeeeet ground work
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Aug 24, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
His kickboxing isn't bad,
he’s got some powerful kicks, but his boxing is almost never shown cuz he jumps guard almost instantly.
Learn JiuJitsu.
Always looking for that new danger.
Too Bad
Michael Chandler will dethrone Eddie Alvarez in October.
Never book a future “title” fight before the champion fights his tournament winning opponent.
uuuh yeah I write for the Cincinnati Enquirer. Thanks?
Who cares
I’ll take Alvarez via the Gilbert Malendez treatment. This doesn’t get Alvarez anywhere. There aren’t many more option left after this for Alvarez. Guess he’ll get Kawajiri soon after, then idk what he thinks is left for him outside of the UFC. Make the leap Alvarez! Drink the kool aid and swallow ur pride. Go to the UFC. Period.
by Luffmania on Aug 24, 2011 2:23 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
He can drink as much "Kool Aid" as he wants but
There’s these things called contracts. If you sign them you must fulfill them.
" Its like when I'm right I'm right, when I'm wrong I coulda been right, so I'm still right cause I coulda been wrong, you know, and I'm sorry cause I could be wrong right now, I could be wrong, but I'm right..." Bama
Nice fight I thought Aoki would jump ship to ONEFC first though
WHY won’t he go to the UFC and fight in their featherweight division
Twitter @MaZZM
http://www.mazzznet.com/
Does the UFC have any interest in Aoki?
I’ve never heard any discussion about him and the UFC, and he isn’t exactly a threat to Jose Aldo with his complete lack of striking.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
I know for a fact that they offered him a contract a few years ago to fight BJ Penn
He was going to accept but Hasegawa talked him out of it.
This was before he even fought in Pride iirc
@TylerTreese on twitter
www.thatmmablog.blogspot.com/
Aoki is big for a 155er
I doubt he’ll fight at 145.
Learn JiuJitsu.
Always looking for that new danger.
he’s always looks small to me. Not like he is small for the division but just plain small
Twitter @MaZZM
http://www.mazzznet.com/
He wears a size 14 shoe
dude is pretty big for a 55er
Learn JiuJitsu.
Always looking for that new danger.
You know a little too much about Aoki.
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
his cup size is 7
his favorite color is rainbow
he enjoys long walks on the beach, breaking bones, and Pokemon.
and he smells like grapes.
Learn JiuJitsu.
Always looking for that new danger.
by RolloTomasi on Aug 24, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
his turn-offs:
smoking, bad manners, and knee strikes to his head.
by Victor Rodriguez on Aug 24, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Racist
"I'm a little worried about being a slut"
~ Bobby Hill
ONE FC probably doesn’t have the money for Aoki. The UFC probably isn’t interested in paying Aoki the money he demands. And so you have the current state of affairs.
by VirtualBalboa on Aug 24, 2011 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Alverez-Aoki
that would be great names to headline a Bellator card, but thats a real slippery slope their playing with these non-title fights with the champs, hopefully Alvarez wins just so Bellator Champs still mean something, Aoki ain’t nothing to play with. Also I feel like they already forgot about Chandler, if that guy can get Eddie down, it might be a done deal for him as a champ
yep.
kinda shows how much the Japanese MMA scene has been declining.
by Anton Tabuena on Aug 24, 2011 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
It is the biggest non-zuffa fight out there, so why not. Alvarez can get revenge for the last loss on his record.
Fedor/Reem
biggest lightweight bout, sure
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Aug 24, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
You really see Fedor/Reem as that big of a fight still?
I think after 3 straight L’s that fight has lost a lot of luster. Even tho I still think Fedor wins(I’m of the opinion that Reem is way over-rated) the fight itself just isn’t that big anymore.
" Its like when I'm right I'm right, when I'm wrong I coulda been right, so I'm still right cause I coulda been wrong, you know, and I'm sorry cause I could be wrong right now, I could be wrong, but I'm right..." Bama
still leagues bigger than alvarez/aoki
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Aug 24, 2011 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Name-wise, I believe so
but as far as divisional relevance…not so much.
Fedor vs Reem is relevant…but not as much as two top fivers like Aoki and Alvarez.
PACIFIC RIM
in theaters
July 12th, 2013
by Chris Groves on Aug 24, 2011 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions
aoki is not a top5'er in my eyes
Middle-lower end of the top10. I think every wrestleboxer in the division that knows how to implement a gameplan beats him a la Melendez. So Edgar, Maynard, Melendez, Miller (maybe) Guida, Guillard and Sherk.
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Aug 24, 2011 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I was just referring to consensus rankings
I don’t think he is too ‘elite’ myself…he kind of just fights not-so-greats…and when he fights a guy like Melendez he got handled to tears.
PACIFIC RIM
in theaters
July 12th, 2013
by Chris Groves on Aug 25, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe they can set up a Gono rematch with Lombard
and maybe a Mousasi rematch if Mousasi opts not to come over to the UFC post Strikeforce.
Then they can do a Fernandes rematch for Warren.
A Wilson Reis rematch for Makovsky.
Just try and get all of their champs rematches so they can try to avenge their losses.
PACIFIC RIM
in theaters
July 12th, 2013
Some decent match ups.
I would like to see how Warren fairs against Fernandes after he gets a couple more fights under his belt
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