Alverez vs Chandler III to Headline Bellator PPV, May 17

Alverez vs Chandler III to Headline Bellator PPV, May 17

MMA’s greatest trilogy will occur  on Saturday, May 17th as Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez will defend his title against Michael Chandler in the most highly anticipated fight of 2014, live on Pay-Per-View. Location and ticket information will be made available shortly.

The main event is the third installment in this epic MMA trilogy that has featured a spectacular submission victory for Chandler at Bellator 58 and a dramatic 5-round split decision victory for Alvarez at Bellator 106 this past November. Both of their previous fights were considered for “Fight of The Year” by the MMA media and fans.

“These two warriors have produced the two best fights I have ever seen, and on May 17th, two of the greatest lightweights on the planet will close out the best trilogy in MMA,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said.

“I’m excited to be headlining the first Bellator Pay-Per-View, and just excited to get back in there,” Chandler said. “I’m going to bring the fight like always, and I’m not going to leave any doubt that I’m one of the best lightweights in the world. Whenever you suffer your first loss, you want that chance to avenge that defeat, and I have that opportunity on May 17th.”

“Like every fight, you are only as good as your last performance,” Alvarez said. “I always go out and try to put out the best performance possible, and that’s what I’m going to do May 17th. Mike and I have a long history together, and everyone knows what type of battles we’ve had, but I’m training in a manner that should end the fight quickly. I want a fast, quick fight that is going to keep me as Bellator Champion.”

Video: Bellator's Best Moments of 2013

Video: Bellator's Best Moments of 2013
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

Sat there with nothing to do on New Years Day or just in the mood to reminisce on some good old fashion 2013 Bellator action? Well guess what, Bellator have got just the thing for you, a playlist of videos from the past year (seasons 8 and 9 plus the Summer Series) on Spike TV.

From Emanuel Newton's upset of the year, spinning back-fist win over King Mo, to Michael Chandler vs Eddie Alvarez II, to the Bellator debut of Rampage Jackson, it's all here.

Sit back and enjoy, and feel free to let us know what your favourite Bellator moment of the year was in the comment section below.

Alverez Returns to Bellator Meets Michael Chandler at Bellator PPV

Alverez Returns to Bellator Meets Michael Chandler at Bellator PPV

In a fight nearly two years in the making, Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler will put his title on the line against former Bellator Champion Eddie Alvarez live on pay-per-view November 2^nd from the Long Beach Arena as the co-main event of the evening.  Both competitors are unanimously ranked in the Top-10 of their division, in part due to their epic 2011 battle that earned the distinction of ‘Fight Of The Year’ by many publications (Full Fight Here: http://bit.ly/uoaoCE). The night will be headlined by MMA superstars Rampage Jackson and Tito Ortiz in a light heavyweight affair.

“I’ve been cageside for more live fights than almost anyone on the planet,” Bellator CEO & Chairman Bjorn Rebney said. “Without question, Chandler vs. Alvarez was the best MMA fight I’ve ever seen. I’m excited to be able to deliver this rematch to MMA fans.  It’s been a long time coming and we’ve had to jump over a lot of hurdles to get this done, but from the day we announced our PPV I promised fans that this card was going to be the deepest we’ve ever done, and we are well on our way. This is just the start.” 

Fresh off his 44 second destruction of David Rickels, Chandler now defends his title for the third time in 2013 with the long awaited rematch with Alvarez.  Originally coming into his 2011 showdown with Alvarez as a nearly 5-1 underdog, Chandler came out of the gate on a mission, and after four grueling rounds of back and forth action, Chandler submitted Alvarez to claim his first World Title. Without a blemish on his record and riding the momentum of being considered one of the best lightweights in the world, Chandler is ready for another title defense and moving his spotless record to 13-0.

“Without sounding too disrespectful, when I fought Eddie the first time in 2011, I didn’t even know what it meant to be an MMA fighter,” Chandler said. “Two years later, I’ve grown so much as a mixed martial artist, and there isn’t a doubt in my mind on November 2^nd, my hand will be raised and the belt will be around my waist. I have full confidence that I can take this fight wherever I want, whenever I want because I didn’t even show much of my wrestling in that last fight and I was able to beat him just with my standup. My ground game has always been there, and I’ve taken my striking to a whole new level since the last time we met. I feel like I have more experience under my belt, I’m wiser, stronger, and have had so much time in the gym trying to become the best fighter I can be.”

After losing his belt to Chandler in 2011, Alvarez responded with two knockout victories in 2012 over longtime rival Shinya Aoki, as well as a devastating KO victory over Patricky Pitbull. Alvarez then found himself on the sidelines as Bellator and Alvarez engaged in a contract dispute that spanned nearly a year. With both parties having agreed on a new deal, Alvarez is ready to step back in the cage and erase a loss that still haunts him.

“I still lose sleep over my loss to Chandler, and I want it off my record,” Alvarez remarked. “This was a long process, but at the end of the day I’m back with Bellator and I’m happy to get back in the cage. I really believe everything happens for a reason, and at the end of the day my family and I are happy, and I’m ready to get my belt back on November 2^nd.”

Michael Chandler Signs Long-Term Fight Extension with Bellator

Michael Chandler Signs Long-Term Fight Extension with Bellator

As Michael Chandler prepares to defend his Bellator Lightweight Title on July 31^st live on Spike, the promotion announced today an eight fight extension with the top ranked lightweight to keep the undefeated Alliance MMA product with Bellator.

“In all my years in combat sports, I’ve never seen the growth and development in a fighter like we’ve all witnessed with Michael Chandler,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “I believe Michael is the best lightweight in MMA.  And, given that, I felt it was paramount to keep Michael at Bellator for the long term.  Both inside and outside the cage, Michael is a tremendous representative for our Bellator.  And, now as one of the highest paid lightweights in MMA, he’s without question earned that distinction.”

A former University of Missouri Wrestling standout, Chandler wasted no time turning heads with Bellator, finishing his first two opponents before getting a taste of The Toughest Tournament in Sports. Chandler continued his winning ways, storming through the Lightweight Tournament with decisive victories over Marcin Held, Lloyd Woodard and Patricky Pitbull, earning Chandler a title shot against then Bellator Champion Eddie Alvarez. What followed was the unanimous fight of the year candidate as Chandler and Alvarez engaged in what can only be described as an epic battle between two of the sports best pound for pound athletes, with Chandler eventually capturing gold with a submission victory deep into the 4^th round. The win propelled Chandler into elite status, and the new Bellator Lightweight Champion continued his dominance over Akihiro Gono and Rick Hawn. Now set to defend his title against David “The Caveman” Rickels on July 31^st, Chandler looks to continue his stranglehold on the lightweight division for years to come.

“Since I signed with Bellator back in 2010, Bjorn laid out a plan for me of how he saw my career progressing and what type of levels we could reach together, and everything has come true,”
Chandler said. “I couldn’t be happier with the situation I’m in right now. Bellator is my home, it’s where I want to be, and it’s where I’m going to continue to defend my belt. Over the last few months you’ve continued to see Bellator go out and sign some of the best talent in the world, and the tournaments continue to be loaded with talent that I’m ready to take on. I believe in this format and what Bellator is doing, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. My focus right now is solely on David Rickels, and making sure we put on a show July 31^st.”