Shinya Aoki vs. Eddie Alvarez Rematch Possible for Bellator
By Chris Leslie on August 24, 2011
After nearly a three year wait, Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez could finally get a rematch with the last man to defeat him, DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki.
Sherdog reports that the fight would occur under the Bellator banner in early 2012 and despite both fighters being champions in their respective organizations, a non-title bout.
If signed, the bout would likely take place in early-2012 but no official date or location has been named.
The pair last fought at Dynamite!! 2008 on New Years Eve for the now defunct WAMMA lightweight championship. The fight lasted a mere 1:32 but was a high-paced action bout that showed why “Tobikan Judan” is one of the most feared grapplers in the world. Alvarez threw Aoki with a strong harai-goshi but it proved to be a fatal error as Aoki quickly rolled for a heel hook and forced the Philadelphia native to both tap and verbally submit.
Both Alvarez and Aoki will put their respective titles on the line this fall. Eddie Alvarez will put his Bellator title on the line October 15 at Bellator 54 against season four lightweight tournament champion and former Mizzou wrestling standout Michael Chandler. Shinya Aoki will face MMA veteran “Razor” Rob McCullough at DREAM 17 on September 24.
For more on Bellator and all things MMA, stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.
Latest
Would very much be interested in seeing this fight get signed, assuming Aoki isn’t sent to prison for literally tearing one of Rob McCullough’s limbs off…
;-)
Last time Alvarez was a victim of timing ….. Aoki and his Partner Kitaoka had been heavily training in leg-locks for Kitaoka’s match with Gomi . Kinda ironic they both win their next matchups with that move . Alvarez will do a Melendez like performance and get the win over Aoki this time .
I really hope this bout is put together! I would love to see these two rematch, especially under the Bellator banner. I see both these guys beating there next opponents, but even if one or both doesn’t I would still love see this bout get put together. It will most likely happen if they both win, so please walk away with the W’s. :-)
Great news, would be another awesome / entertaining fight to watch and would be huge for Bellator.
Gotta love Aoki’s T-shirt in this pic, haha, guess he’s a fan.