The ongoing saga of the on again and not really off again until something is figured out with the contract negotiation relationship with Eddie Alvarez and Bellator is getting more convoluted by the minute. A year ago, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney stood by his promotion’s formula of the tournament format dictating title shots. Now, with arguably his biggest star with an offer sheet from the UFC (which Bellator has subsequently matched), Bellator’s reigning lightweight champ, Michael Chandler, says Eddie should get a rematch if he stays in Bellator. This is what Chandler had to say to MMAJunkie:
“I think pretty much every MMA fan out there wants Chandler-Alvarez 2, so give the fans what they want. If he stays in Bellator, let’s fight. Let’s do it two times, three times, four times, who cares. We’re fighters. Our job is to fight, and our job is to go out there and entertain the fans.”
“Whatever is best for him, I hope it works out for him. He’s obviously motivated mostly by the money. He’s got two or three kids at home and a wife, so he’s got to support them. Wherever he’s getting paid the best is where he’s going to go.”
“On a smaller scale, it’s a Dominick Cruz/Urijah Faber thing. Me and Alvarez are not rivals. I don’t dislike the guy. I don’t think he dislikes me. I beat him, and I’ll fight him again if I have to, but he’s always going to be a part of my legacy. No matter what, 20 years down the road when they talk about my career and talk about what a great champion I was, they’re going to talk about Alvarez.”
Eddie responds with a conspiratorial remark on Twitter.
