It looks like Bellator is fighting hard to keep Eddie on the roster unlike what they did with Lombard. Ultimately I think the decision will come down to whether Alvarez remains loyal to Bellator or prefers to test himself against the best fighters in the world. It might require a legal battle or sitting out for a year to move to the UFC.
Did you see what the UFC is offering Eddie? On top of a big contract and signing bonus, he gets PPV dollars, a fight on Fox and an immediate title shot. That's a hell of an offer. http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/...ncludes-immediate-title-shot-pay-per-view-cut If Eddie Alvarez frees himself from Bellator, he stands not only to become an immediate UFC lightweight title challenger but also to profit handsomely from pay-per-view sales. But if he stays with Bellator, the 28-year-old fighter won't be in the poorhouse, either. A UFC contract outlines the company's intent to book Alvarez an immediate title shot in March and offers a cut of the promotion's pay-per-view profits, according to an exhibit in a lawsuit Bellator MMA filed against the 28-year-old fighter, a copy of which today was obtained by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). An eight-fight deal starts Alvarez at $70,000 to show and $70,000 to win and raises in $5,000 increments with each win until it tops out at a guaranteed $210,000 for a win, the exhibit states. Alvarez is also guaranteed a $250,000 signing bonus, payable in two installments of $85,000 and one of $80,000. When Alvarez fights on a UFC pay-per-view broadcast, the offer entitles him to $1 for each "buy" between 200,000 and 400,000 buys, $2 per buy between 400,000 and 600,000 buys, and $2.50 per buy over 600,000 buys. Additionally, Alvarez is guaranteed a fight on a UFC on FOX card and three appearances as a commentator at UFC-branded events. The exhibit confirms a previous claim from Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney that his promotion merely changed window dressings on the UFC's offer. Mentions of UFC parent company Zuffa are simply crossed out and replaced with Bellator. It also shows Bellator offered three additional bonuses to Alvarez when Bellator decided to match the UFC's offer. Included was a $25,000 payout for participating in a behind-the-scenes show filmed by Bellator broadcast partner Spike TV, a $100,000 payout for a head coach position on the second season of Bellator's reality show, and a guest host spot on Spike TV's "Road to the Championship" program. And Alvarez stood to receive a $250,000 signing bonus upon re-upping with Bellator. The deals are the same – on paper. But Bellator and Alvarez disagree on their value, and they've taken their cases to the court of public opinion. Before they did that, though, they sued each other. Check back with MMAjunkie.com tomorrow for a detailed breakdown of the lawsuits and a timeline of the dispute. I hope the UFC gets this done, because I can't wait to see Eddie destroy the current belt holder. TFK
Bellator should let him go and concentrate on spending money on unsigned unknown talent that they can mold into stars.
alvarez isn't a guy who's going to get any better than he already is at this point. he might as well head to ufc before it's too late.
Well, unless I am missing something, Bellator can't match that offer. Eddie would be a fool not to jump ship now. By the way, Eddie ain't beating Ben Henderson. So under the deal offered, Eddie's first fight is a title shot. He will lose and become one of the most well-paid gatekeepers in MMA history. Good for him. He could luck out and get on a Silva or Jones PPV and knock down close to $1 mil for the fight. Not to shabby for the 8th or 9th best LW on the roster.
Ya I'm not getting the title shot in the first fight deal. Especially since Carrone and Pettis are just fighting for number 1 contender ship . If I were them I'd take it as a slap in the face. One thing is for sure if Pettis wins I see them keeping him on the shelf till the summer because they for damn sure see the money in the rematch against Henderson. And lastly if they do give Alvarez the title shot in the first fight I think that's bad business. Bellator is cool and all but it doesn't mean the UFC audience, the same audience who refers to MMA as a whole as UFC knows who Alvarez is. They should introduce Alvarez first against some lower end top ten or top 15 opponent and then give him the shot at the winner of Carrone/Pettis vs Henderson.
Cmon Boss. Title shots are more about dollars than sense in the UFC. The UFC knows Pettis and Cerrone can fight and if they have to wait for Alvarez, they will. What are they gonna do, go to Bellator? Do you really think Dana is worried about Pettis/Cerrone feeling slapped in the face? Shit, he didn't care about Jones' feelings and Jones is 100x the star than those two are combined. They threw in the title shot because they want Alvarez. Plain and Simple. It makes business sense because it hurts the only competition the UFC really has in Bellator. I do agree with you that Bellator should let him go and concentrate on developing up and comers.
Not only does Alvarez beat Henderson, he does it easily. The only time Eddie gets in trouble is when he stands and trades, and featherfisted Henderson doesn't have the power to hurt Alvarez. Eddie walks right through him and beats him any way he chooses to beat him. That being said, I think Alvarez should win at least one fight in the UFC before being given a shot at the title. TFK
I would like Eddie to win, but I can't help but think Lesbian Henderson is just the overall better fighter and should win.
I'd love to be able to pick Alvarez but I just don't see any aspect of his game that is better than Henderson. He might have more punching power, but if that's what he is counting on, he won't win. As much as I don't care for Henderson, the guy is a tough out for anyone, and I just don't think Alvarez brings anything to the table that will trouble him. Hopefully the UFC will make him beat a Jim Miller or Nate Diaz or Gilbert Melendez before giving him a title shot.
Gilbert Melendez vs Eddie Alvarez is a great great idea. It could be booked as Bellator vs Strikeforce in the UFC !! Two guys coming in from different promotions to make their respective UFC debuts face off to determine who deserves the title shot more. That's what I would do. Dana should sign Alvarez with that title shot promise and then screw him over and make him fight Melendez for an INTERIM TITLE. And be like, What? That's a title. Loophole mother fucker now go make me some money !
Good because it sounded stupid anyway. I guess they read my post and came to their senses. As always you're welcome Dana.
I have never watched Ben Henderson fight and thought "Wow, this guy is great." But I will say this, he finds ways to win. I find him fairly boring, I don't see him as a finisher at all. Ben Henderson is probably the only fighter that loves the judges
