Scott Coker on possible Eddie Alvarez return to Bellator: “We would love to talk to him”
Eddie Alvarez is by far one of the greatest lightweight fighters in the history of MMA, and has achieved most everything there is to accomplish in the sport.
From winning championships in every organization he’s been in, to beating some of the best fighters on the planet, Alvarez has been there and done that.
Since joining the UFC a few years ago, Alvarez has become one of the elite contenders of it’s 155 lbs division, while being apart some of the most memorable bouts in UFC lightweight history.
But just like anything in life you’re involved in for a long period of time, it eventually comes to an end and you move on to the next thing.
And at this point of Eddie Alvarez’s career, especially after losing for the second time to Dustin Poirier at UFC Calgary last month, it maybe time for him to move on.
Most recently, it was revealed that Alvarez’s rematch with Poirier was the last fight of his contract with the UFC.
Alvarez now finds himself in the position of free agent, weighing his options of which organization he could land in next.
One of those places could be one that Alvarez is familiar with, where he made just as much an impact prior to coming to the UFC, that place’s name? Bellator MMA.
During his appearance on the MMA Hour, Bellator President discussed being interested in getting Eddie Alvarez back to Bellator.
“I DON’T THINK WE’VE TALKED TO EDDIE, BUT LISTEN, IF HE WANTS TO REACH OUT AND HAVE A CONVERSATION AND HE’S TRULY A FREE AGENT AND WE’RE NOT INTERFERING IN ANYBODY’S CONTRACT, WE WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO HIM. I THINK THE GUY HAS DONE A LOT OF GOOD WORK IN BUILDING HIS BRAND HERE IN THE U.S.
OBVIOUSLY, HE’S HAD SOME GREAT FIGHTS WITH MICHAEL CHANDLER HERE IN THE PAST. WE WANT TO TALK TO EVERY FREE AGENT OUT THERE THAT’S A BIG STAR, AND I THINK EDDIE IS STILL A BIG STAR.”
Upon Alvarez’s exit from Bellator, the company has changed tremendously, most notably in the front office as Coker now is head of the organization.
When Alvarez was the top man in Bellator back in 2013, Bjorn Rebney’s was at the helm, but ever since the organization appointed Coker to run things, he has raised it to newer, higher levels.
Should Coker be able to reel in one of the company’s former Lightweight champions, it’d be another one of his latest success’s in acquiring ex UFC superstars to Bellator, much like he did with Davis, Mousasi, Mcdonald, Mir, and many others.
THERE’S SOMEBODY HERE, THERE’S SOMEBODY THERE. IT’S NOT LIKE THERE’S HUNDREDS OR EVEN 10S AND 20S OF [STAR] ATHLETES [IN FREE AGENCY].” COKER CONTINUED, “IT’S MORE OF, THERE’S A BIG STAR HERE OR A BIG STAR HERE OR A MEDIUM STAR THERE. BUT THEY’RE OUT THERE AND WE’VE BEEN PLUCKING THEM AWAY ONE BY ONE. AND WE’RE GONNA KEEP SHOPPING AND WE’RE GONNA KEEP GROWING THIS ROSTER.
THIS ROSTER LOOKS NOTHING LIKE IT DID FOUR YEARS AGO. IT’S A MUCH DIFFERENT FIGHT ROSTER THAN WE HAD. IT’S SOMETHING WE’RE PROUD OF AND IT’S NOT EASY TO DO. BUT I THINK WE’VE GOT A GOOD HANDLE ON IT.”
Regardless of where Eddie Alvarez fights next, he’ll be sure to entertain, that being said, we know Alvarez will make the best the decision that’s best for his career.
