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[Cat--Smasher]

Bellator Making Hard Push to Keep Eddie Alvarez

According to Alvarez’s manager, Glenn Robinson of Authentic Sports Management, Bellator is pushing hard to keep their former champion right where he is as they make their transition to Spike TV in 2013.

“Bjorn and Eddie had a great conversation and had some great talks. Bjorn has expressed interest in keeping Eddie, and talks have gone really well, and that’s all I can really say at this point,” Robinson told MMAWeekly.com this week.

The last major free agent that Bellator had on its roster was former middleweight champion Hector Lombard, who signed with the UFC earlier this year. The American Top Team fighter was undefeated during his time with Bellator as their 185lb champion, but once his contract was up he left and moved over to the UFC.

Alvarez, who has been with Bellator since their inception in 2009, has been the face of the promotion and one of their biggest stars.

Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney knows that and he’s doing his best to make sure Alvarez remains with the company for the foreseeable future.

“Talks have gone really well with Bellator and Eddie just wants to fight the best fighters he can, and get a contract he feels is fair, but I can tell you Bjorn has gone out of his way to make Eddie feel welcome and talks have gone well so far, so we’ll see what the future brings,” said Robinson.

“He doesn’t want to sit out too long so we’d like to get things wrapped up. At the end of the day, Bellator has a 90-day negotiating period, so we’re finishing talks with them and we have to see where things go with that,” Robinson stated.

“Yeah he’d like to fight right away, but he doesn’t want to rush to make a deal either, make a hasty deal because he’s in a rush. He’s a very smart guy, and we’ve got to take our time, take it one step at a time to get ultimately where he needs to be.”

Bellator Making Hard Push to Keep Eddie Alvarez | MMAWeekly.com

[CtGreat]

I personally don see him making it very far in the UFC. Would love to see him face Guillard though.

[copperfield]

The deal breaker is the title shot. Eddie will want an immediate title shot or he'll walk.

[zana1126]

Alvarez has nothing to do in Bellator. It would be so stupid to stay there.

[Y2JUBAE]

I think he will come to the UFC, especially with Frankie moved down a weight class so he won't be fighting his training partner for the belt. I can't see what appeal Bellator would have for him to stay. Their future is pretty uncertain still, I'd go with the job security.

[sproggy]

Originally Posted by Y2JUBAE

I think he will come to the UFC, especially with Frankie moved down a weight class so he won't be fighting his training partner for the belt. I can't see what appeal Bellator would have for him to stay. Their future is pretty uncertain still, I'd go with the job security.

UFC and job security? Ha good one.

[Firemass]

If he wants to be seen as one of the very best, he'll need to be in the UFC to prove it. He's reached his peak in Bellator. He'll only get the recognition beating the best the UFC can give him.

[LefthookStcrook]

This is finally Eddies chance to put up or shut up with his claims that he wants to fight the best. Melendez had his chance and blew it...now look at him.

If I truly thought I could succeed then I see no reason why I wouldn't take the bigger/better job.

[Firemass]

Even if he loses any fights in the UFC, it's to the elite. Not the Michael Chandlers (no disrespect to Chandler) of the world. I think he'd do well, like Melendez would as well...it's time to try and cement a legacy, or stay comfortable in Bellator.

[cnlclink]

One thing I'd like to see him do in Bellator is go through the tourny and have a possible rematch with Chandler, their first fight was AMAZING so there is something for him to do. I'd like to see him in the UFC more than that and fight someone like Cerrone (hehe...I want Cerrone to fight everyone but Stout and Jim Miller because my mind would split).