Eddie Alvarez Not Taking Final Bellator Lightweight Tournament Spot
by Josh Nason on Jan 11, 2012 6:00 PM EST
in Bellator News
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With one slot remaining for the next Bellator 155-pound tournament, it was assumed that former champion Eddie Alvarez would take it and get on the path toward reclaiming the belt from Michael Chandler, the first man to beat him in nearly three years.
However, that won't be the case as Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney revealed Wednesday that the Philadelphia, PA, native will not be among this year's field.
In an interview with MMA Junkie Radio, Rebney said both sides decided it wasn't the right time for Alvarez (22-3) to enter the tournament field, which would be his first since winning the title in Bellator's first season. Instead, they are still moving ahead on talks for Alvarez to rematch with Shinya Aoki, the last man to beat him before the Chandler defeat.
The two fought on the K-1/DREAM New Year's Eve show in 2008 and Aoki (30-5-0-1) tapped Alvarez to a heel hook in the first round to win the WAMMA 155-pound title. That would be Alvarez' last fight outside Bellator, but Rebney said he's unsure if the rematch would take place in the Bellator cage or for DREAM.
Rebney added they will choose between three lightweights to take the open spot.
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Don't know which opportunity is the bigger risk ?
Losing in the tourney or losing to a fellow highly ranked LW… Wonder what’s left on his contract… ?
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by RECE ROCK on Jan 11, 2012 6:03 PM EST via mobile reply actions
BAMMA?
Wasn’t it the WAMMA title, when that still existed?
I believe you are correct sir...
What a prestigious title it was… Glorious.
Visit fiveouncesofpain.com
by RECE ROCK on Jan 11, 2012 6:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
in all its glory
Writing things on occasion @ Head Kick Legend.
Team Captain for Ruining Your Special Night. That's what we do.
by Earl Montclair on Jan 11, 2012 6:07 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs
That 5 sec clip sums up so much
Visit fiveouncesofpain.com
by RECE ROCK on Jan 11, 2012 6:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
gotta rec this. who was that dude anyway?
'Would you kindly head to Ryan's office and kill the son of a bitch?'
-Atlas
by Victor Rodriguez on Jan 11, 2012 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
$1,495.00 is the current standing for bids.
yours for a cool $2,000.00 with the ‘Buy it Now’ option.
'Would you kindly head to Ryan's office and kill the son of a bitch?'
-Atlas
by Victor Rodriguez on Jan 11, 2012 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
WAMMA not BAMMA!
YES it was the WAMMA LW Championship NOT the BAMMA Championship, Wamma was the World Association of Mixed Martial Arts that was trying to get all the different promotions together into 1 championship but without the UFC’s support that can’t really happen obviously and Bamma is the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts.
by CharlieMMAFAN on Jan 11, 2012 6:26 PM EST up reply actions
oh thank god, so that's what the difference is.
IF HERE YOU ARE, THEN BAD PLACE BE. TROUBLE TIME WHEN HEAT COMEs.
by Body Triangle on Jan 12, 2012 10:41 AM EST up reply actions
At least if they fight in Bellator they will get paid.
Writing things on occasion @ Head Kick Legend.
Team Captain for Ruining Your Special Night. That's what we do.
I think if they fight in dream shinya will get paid but Eddie won't
Ah-fucka-U Eddie son.
Visit fiveouncesofpain.com
by RECE ROCK on Jan 11, 2012 6:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Nickname: “Heavy Metal”
Walkout Music: Lame ass Hiphop
by Hugin on Jan 11, 2012 6:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Eddie should try and bolt to the UFC
Seems like as good a time as any since he won’t be fighting in the upcoming tournament.
"bolting"
Will not get him out of a contract
Ruining Your Special Night with all caps and the like. Be prepared to be disappointed. But not by us. Because of us.... We're not disappointing, it's the things we say to you, and.... fuck it, everyone else sucks. Mmkay?
by halitosis on Jan 11, 2012 6:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
They have him for at least a year after the Chandler fight from the Champion's Clause alone
And they might have him longer than that depending on what he’s signed.
Not afraid to nitpick
I still can't believe that Aoki got that sub
by buttscooting the entire time.
Almost happened to Gil, too
"I'm ready for fight. If I'm win, no win. I don't know. But, I'm ready for fight. This is my working[shrugs shoulders]" - Anderson Silva
"You'll get Lil Wayne in woman pants and like it!" - Krimson
That’s exactly how I envision a Leites vs Starnes fight.
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
by tigerlee on Jan 11, 2012 7:15 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
The buttscooting had nothing at all to do with the sub nothing, He locked on the sub after Eddie got mount from a hip toss and Aoki espaced out the back door and wraped around the leg.
but you didn't recall any butt scooting in that fight at all
I showed you butt scooting in that fight
I hate him...I wish he Lost to fancy pants and never came back to north America ever again.... He's just an annoying being.
Visit fiveouncesofpain.com
by RECE ROCK on Jan 11, 2012 8:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
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
by tigerlee on Jan 11, 2012 8:37 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Exactly... Nice fucking pants, nice fucking face...what an annoying human being.
Visit fiveouncesofpain.com
He skinned Beerbohm and used him for leg warmers. If he was 30 lbs heavier he’d do the same to Sonnen…and the lesser of two evils would triumph.
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
Fight video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awh8P4HW3Kk
There was some butt scooting, but definitely not the entire time. And he didn’t catch the sub from that position either
See and learn the secret death touch!
by Horselover Fat on Jan 11, 2012 7:11 PM EST up reply actions
You're right
it’s been a while since it happened so it’s easy to forget. The most memorable thing about the fight was the butt scooting so that’s what I remembered. I guess lol
Haha! Understandable
See and learn the secret death touch!
by Horselover Fat on Jan 12, 2012 5:27 AM EST up reply actions
He probably should
If he’s not in the tournament, things don’t really look good for him.
by discoandherpes on Jan 11, 2012 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
this is not a terrible idea
Writing things on occasion @ Head Kick Legend.
Team Captain for Ruining Your Special Night. That's what we do.
by Earl Montclair on Jan 11, 2012 6:22 PM EST up reply actions
Why would Aoki want to fight for Bellator? If he wanted to fight in the states, he'd fight for the UFC
And why does Alvarez want back to back losses?
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
Bellator doesn’t have exclusive contracts like UFC does.
Writing things on occasion @ Head Kick Legend.
Team Captain for Ruining Your Special Night. That's what we do.
by Earl Montclair on Jan 11, 2012 6:41 PM EST up reply actions
Or the depth of talent, money, or TV. There’s really nothing enticing for Aoki. Would Rebney really spend a ton of money on a 1-fight deal that wouldn’t result in much other than a chance for Alvarez to avenge a loss?
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
Yes.
See and learn the secret death touch!
by Horselover Fat on Jan 11, 2012 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
ah yes
He does enjoy spending other people’s money frivolously, he is good at that.
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
Heh, well he has been talking about that match-up before and wanting to make it happen. As I alluded to in my other comment, he even said something after Eddie’s loss to Chandler that he wanted to put together the Aoki fight to get Eddie back in the top 5. This instead of matching up his current champion with Aoki. And again I don’t see Aoki being THAT pricey, maybe 100k tops? Small price for getting extra viewers and hopefully more cred to his guy as a top fighter.
See and learn the secret death touch!
by Horselover Fat on Jan 11, 2012 6:58 PM EST up reply actions
I don't know what "a ton of money" amounts to in this case.
I bet he could get Aoki to show up for 40k. I don’t know if that is too much for Bellator.
Writing things on occasion @ Head Kick Legend.
Team Captain for Ruining Your Special Night. That's what we do.
by Earl Montclair on Jan 11, 2012 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know, this had way more steam when Alvarez was a title holder. Now, not so much.
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
It didn’t even have that much steam then. I’d enjoy this fight, but I’d hardly say I’ve been eagerly anticipating it.
exactly
Didn’t think it would happen then, definitely don’t think it will now.
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
Maybe they would agree to a one-off deal with Aoki...
but their deals for their contracted fighters are as restrictive, if no more so, than UFC’s.
by ChicagoMMAFan on Jan 12, 2012 9:51 AM EST up reply actions
I think Eddie declined
So he could get out of Bellator. He isnt a champ anymore, he isn’t tied down to the company. And he could probably fight more and get better money in the UFC.
Beating Aoki in Dream will be a great jumping point for him to get in the UFC, or at least Strikeforce. That is, if he beats Aoki.
by Ricardo Arguello on Jan 11, 2012 6:48 PM EST reply actions
Good point. He shouldn’t be tied down by any champions clause since the loss to Chandler, so maybe he’s trying to set wheels in motion.
See and learn the secret death touch!
by Horselover Fat on Jan 11, 2012 6:52 PM EST up reply actions
it is a good point, however the question that remains is what does he do next?
how does he get out of the contract if that’s what he really wants? he lost the belt, which lowers his stock and rankings. i’m just curious as to what the next step would be if leaving Bellator would indeed be possible.
'Would you kindly head to Ryan's office and kill the son of a bitch?'
-Atlas
by Victor Rodriguez on Jan 11, 2012 6:58 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, who knows. I guess we don’t really know what his contract looks like or how many fights he might have left. Maybe he’d want to get a few non-tournament wins (like Aoki) to raise his stock again, and jump shit to the UFC. Still I think he’d have to take a significant pay cut if he went there. And who knows how good he will do? I don’t see him being UFC champion, anyway.
Then again unless he can get back the championship in Bellator, he’d probably have to get less pay or leave there as well.
See and learn the secret death touch!
by Horselover Fat on Jan 11, 2012 7:06 PM EST up reply actions
jump ship*
See and learn the secret death touch!
by Horselover Fat on Jan 11, 2012 7:06 PM EST up reply actions
Alvarez can definitely beat a few guys in the UFC.
But since Edgar’s his training partner he doesn’t want to fight for the UFC because he wants to be a champ in his division (among other reasons, like fighter marketing rights & exclusivity). I think Aoki is actually of the same mindset concerning the parenthesis. Shame really, they should both be fighting top talent in exciting fights in the UFC.
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
Eddie and Edgar have both said they'd fight each other
They both train with Riccardo Almeida but Eddie’s real home is the Philly fight factory. He has no issue with fighting Edgar
They did say that, but that’s only because they’re in different promotions at the moment with no possibility of fighting. I’d say that one or the other would drop to FW if Eddie were in the UFC.
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
Eddie would have
a pretty long road to fighting Edgar. There are a lot of people he’d have to beat to make this anything close to an issue.
Use more judges.
Alvarez already said he doesn’t want to sign with the UFC, so much so that he tried to buy stake in Bellator. He likes being the big fish in the little pond, but he may be rethinking that since he lost his title. That’s where the tournament fails, he should fight once more, win and get another shot since he’s the former champ. Established, veteran fighters have a hard time buying into the tourney-for-a-title-shot format.
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
That was before he lost
By being in the tournament he still runs the risk of losing, but at least can pick up a lot of fights. If he’s not in the tournament, things become weird. Is he going to wait out for a superfight? How long is Bellator going to keep him shelved? Since he lost, does he get three fights and he’s out? Is he still tied via champions clause?
So many questions about his contract status we don’t know about.
by discoandherpes on Jan 11, 2012 7:54 PM EST up reply actions
Agree so much that I even mentioned it...
but he may be rethinking that since he lost his title.
Hopefully he does change his mind and sign with the UFC.
What if dream scenario…UFC signs both Alvarez and Aoki for UFC 144!
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
Bellator's "championship clause":
From MMA Payout:
If, at any time during the term, FIGHTER is declared the champion of his weight class, a Tournament winner, or a Tournament runner-up, the Term shall be automatically extended for a period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the earlier of (i) eighteen (18) months from the Termination Date, or (ii) the date in which FIGHTER has participated in three (3) bouts promoted by PROMOTER following the Termination Date ("Extension Term").
So, if I’m reading this right, Alvarez would still be bound to Bellator for either 18 months or 3 additional fights (promoted by Bellator), whichever came first. And that’s measured from the termination date of his contract, not necessarily from the date on which he lost the title.
Eddie opting out of the tournament probably means he’s willing to give Bellator the three fights, and will ask that they be booked in as short a time as possible. If they gave him three fights during 2012, he could be a free agent by 2013, depending on the end date of his last contract with them.
At that time, he could weigh his options, field offers from other promotions including UFC, and decide whether Bellator would once again be his home. 2013 is when their broadcasts will shift over to Spike. A lot can happen between now and 2013; we certainly saw a lot of the MMA landscape shift in 2011. For all we know, Bellator could go bust or could be on the verge of breaking through to a more profitable existence.
Any way you slice it, it looks like Eddie is part of Bellator for 2012, but after that almost anything could happen.
by ( . Y . ) on Jan 11, 2012 9:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
it’s really hard to tell how to interpret all of this stuff, especially with alvarez. He won the title 5 bellator fights ago, so by my reading, he would still have 3 fights left if his initial contract was 7 fights. A guy at his level signing a 7 fight contract with a startup would be insane.
I agree
I was probably wrong in my comment about him being locked up through 2012 with Bellator. I have no idea if his contract is for a set number of fights, a specified period of time, has been renewed for a certain number of fights, or whatever. I also don’t know if winning a title defense is considered the same as being “declared the champion of his weight class.”
It might well be that Alvarez has lawyered up and told Bellator he’s ready to head elsewhere and Bellator is working a deal with him to avoid a public breakup while he shops himself around.
pretty crazy that
this includes not only a champion’s clause, but a runner-up clause that is just as restrictive.
Use more judges.
If I remember his comments about buying a piece of Bellator....
he indicated it had more to do with Zuffa buying other companies up and he wanted a piece of it if they, or somebody else, bought Bellator.
I would imagine they would have to offer Aoki a ton of money. He doesn’t fight in the US often and he’s one of the few draws in Japanese MMA and Alvarez is coming off a loss to a guy that wasn’t top 10 when they fought.
by ChicagoMMAFan on Jan 12, 2012 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
Open question to EVERYONE
Alvarez is at #11 in the consensus rankings, Chandler is #9, Aoki is #5
If Alvarez beats Aoki…how would the rankings go?
Obviously it wouldn’t seem fair to leapfrog Alvarez up over a guy he just lost to in Chandler. I also doubt they would throw Chandler and Alvarez up above Aoki
I would have to assume that Aoki and Alvarez would both be bumped down to below Chandler…with Alvarez right above Aoki.
"You got Floyd Mayweather making 25 million dollars...he can't stop the double leg." - Nick Diaz
8 – Chandler, 9 – Alvarez – 10 Aoki ?
Something like that.
See and learn the secret death touch!
by Horselover Fat on Jan 11, 2012 6:55 PM EST up reply actions
apropos
Eddie Alvarez: Ranking is all opinion based and to me it is a way to secure a good contract. Other than that it is all objective. Any fan knows this and bases their opinion of a fighter on performance against other good fighters and not rankings.
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
The other side is what would it do for Aoki if he beats Alvarez?
I’d say nothing, because he’s already subbed him before. It’s seems like a no-win for Aoki.
Where was Alvarez rankings-wise when they met in 2008?
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
Aoki’s not going to get much higher in the rankings until he beats Melendez or goes to the ufc anyways.
Fuck you, double fingers
- Nick Diaz
Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society
- Mark Twain
by TheLastEmpress on Jan 11, 2012 7:12 PM EST up reply actions
And that’s one of the reasons this fight probably won’t happen.
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
That’s the reason this fight MIGHT happen.
Fuck you, double fingers
- Nick Diaz
Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society
- Mark Twain
by TheLastEmpress on Jan 11, 2012 7:23 PM EST up reply actions
Doubt it, he can stay in Japan and fight the Clementi’s of the world on his own terms. Why travel to fight a guy you already subbed, who is ranked lower than you, and isn’t a title holder?…I mean for other than really good money.
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
Aoki is in great need of a big win. His last real triumph was when he leglocked Kawajiri right after losing to Gil. If he wants to stay in Japan, fight the Clementis and be a relevant top 5 fighter he needs a top 10 win every couple years.
But the fight must be way less attractive for him since Alvarez lost.
Then someone falls in love
And someone's beaten up
Someone's beaten up
And the senses being dulled are mine
--The Smiths
I don’t think he cares about that. he fought for Strikeforce because they were trying to work with Dream, look at the quality of opponent, weight classes, and rules he’s done for Dream. I think he’ll just chill in Japan and fight whoever will come to him.
I think Aoki wants to stay highly ranked and popular in the US so Japanese MMA isn’t simply “a colony” as he put it. That requires the occasional big win. I consider Aoki like Manny Pacquaio in the way that I usually think the nationalism angle is totally contrived in combat sports, but I actually believe it with them.
Then someone falls in love
And someone's beaten up
Someone's beaten up
And the senses being dulled are mine
--The Smiths
Aoki shouldn't even be highly ranked
Dude lost to Nagashima.
by discoandherpes on Jan 12, 2012 4:00 AM EST up reply actions
Aoki is still number 5?
Quietly leading Cecil Peoples Champs to victory and beyond.
All in the game yo, all in the game
by Our Bovine Public on Jan 11, 2012 7:20 PM EST up reply actions
I have him 6
Only reason he isn’t top 5 is because he has not proved anything in US MMA. Nothing left for him in JMMA. Hopefully he comes to the states and intorduces the US JMMA at it’s highest level
Aoki has absolutely no reason to take this fight.
by Rob Young on Jan 11, 2012 8:00 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Yeah i mean he has such good offers out there
Like Rich Clamenti, Rob Mcculogh, and Kitsoka…
Get the fuck outt5a here, what better fight is out there for him. he ain’t fighting in the UFC so name a better fight for him?
by potato623 on Jan 11, 2012 8:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Melendez rematch?
See and learn the secret death touch!
by Horselover Fat on Jan 12, 2012 5:30 AM EST up reply actions
if you're talking fights for sport or business...
that’s two entirely different areas. You are right, if he stays in DREAM/Japan those are the names he’ll fight. However, he is still a name in Japan and makes money over there. If he comes to the US and gets beat by Alvarez it will hurt his business.
Not saying it’s the right or wrong decision to fight Alvarez, but there’s more to it than purely fighting ranked guys.
by ChicagoMMAFan on Jan 12, 2012 10:19 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
But this isn't a good fight for him either
He’s already subbed Alvarez, is ranked higher, would have to travel, and Alvarez is a dangerous opponent. From a fan’s view it seems like the best option, but from the business/career perspective it’s a no win…unless there’s a big payday. If they were in the same promotion it would be a completely different story, but it really makes no sense for Aoki to take it.
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 would rather see Eddie in the tounament
it would be a nice rematch if he got to the final against Chandler for another war.
by biggant on Jan 12, 2012 9:50 AM EST via mobile reply actions
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