A trilogy fight between Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez will headline Bellator MMA’s pay-per-view debut on May 17.
The promotion made the announcement during the Bellator 110 broadcast. The city and venue have yet to be announced.
Alvarez edged Chandler with a controversial split decision win to regain the Bellator lightweight title on Nov. 2, one year after Chandler submitted Alvarez at Bellator 58 to win the lightweight belt.
“These two warriors have produced the two best fights I have ever seen, and on May 17th, two of the greatest lightweights on the planet will close out the best trilogy in MMA,” Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said in a press release.
That Nov. 2 event was originally scheduled to be Bellator’s pay-per-view debut headlined by a light-heavyweight bout featuring former UFC champions Tito Ortiz and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. However, when Ortiz suffered a neck injury and was pulled from the card, the event was moved to free TV.
Chandler (12-1) and Alvarez (25-3) are considered by many to be the two best mixed martial artists not currently in the UFC, regardless of weight class.
“I’m excited to be headlining the first Bellator PPV, and just excited to get back in there,” Chandler said. “I’m going to bring the fight like always, and I’m not going to leave any doubt that I’m one of the best lightweights in the world. Whenever you suffer your first loss, you want that chance to avenge that defeat, and I have that opportunity on May 17th.”
The two men have competed inside the Bellator cage against one another for a total of 43:06, but Alvarez is expecting a short fight in their third meeting.
“Like every fight, you are only as good as your last performance,” Alvarez said. “I always go out and try to put out the best performance possible, and that’s what I’m going to do May 17th. Mike and I have a long history together, and everyone knows what type of battles we’ve had, but I’m training in a manner that should end the fight quickly. I want a fast, quick fight that is going to keep me as Bellator champion.”
No other bouts have been added to the May 17 event yet, but it’s expected to include a 205-pound tournament final between Jackson and Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, who were both victorious at Bellator 110.
Lawal won a unanimous decision over Mikhail Zayats, while Jackson knocked out former champion Christian M’Pumbu. Following Jackson’s win, a scuffle broke out between him and Lawal.
