Scott Coker doubtful free agent Eddie Alvarez returns to Bellator
Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez is currently a free agent. Given his station in the MMA world, it was expected that Alvarez would be courted by many of the sport’s top promotions, including Bellator MMA, where he once wore lightweight gold.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like Eddie Alvarez will be returning to the Bellator cage. Speaking to MMA Fighting ahead of this weekend’s Bellator 206 card, Bellator President Scott Coker divulged that his team had spoken to Alvarez, but that their talks didn’t amount to much.
“It doesn’t seem likely at this point,” Scott Coker said of Eddie Alvarez potentially returning to the Bellator cage.
“I think that [my team] had a conversation with Eddie and I’m not sure where it’s at,” Coker added. “But I don’t think it took a second, it wasn’t like it was something that was picking up any steam so I’m not sure.”
While it doesn’t seem likely that Eddie Alvarez will return to Bellator, it does sound like the former Bellator and UFC lightweight champion could end up signing with Singapore-based promotion ONE Championship.
Eddie Alvarez and ONE Championship seems to be getting close to a deal. The Asian Giant is going heavy on the negotiations, battling UFC's and Bellator's offers. Looks like ONE wants Eddie to be part of the japanese expasion in 2019, sources tell me.
— Tarso Doria (@TarsoDoria) September 24, 2018
“Eddie Alvarez and ONE Championship seem to be getting close to a deal,” MMA Brasil’s Tarso Doria reported on Twitter earlier this week. “The Asian Giant is going heavy on the negotiations, battling UFC’s and Bellator’s offers. Looks like ONE wants Eddie to be part of the Japanese expansion in 2019, sources tell me.”
In a statement to BJPENN.COM, ONE Championship CEO International Victor Cui addressed the possibility of Alvarez heading to Asia.
“The best Athletes in the world are always reaching out to us about joining our ONE family and we regularly have multiple conversations going on with top talent,” Cui said.
Alvarez has also been courted by Poland-based European MMA powerhouse KSW.
Hey @Ealvarezfight, you’ve won titles in UFC and Bellator. Want to try win one in @KSW_MMA? pic.twitter.com/znDv6IWfHU
— martin lewandowski (@martinksw) September 24, 2018
“Hey [Eddie Alvarez] you’ve won titles in UFC and Bellator,” KSW CEO Martin Lewandowski said on Twitter. “Want to try win one in [KSW]?”
At this time, it’s unclear what, if any, negotiations have gone on between Alvarez and the UFC, though UFC President Dana White has said he’d happily let the former champion go if he wants to finish his career elsewhere.
Where do you think Eddie Alvarez will end up?
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 9/28/2018.
Topics:
Eddie Alvarez Scott Coker
