Bellator Fighting Championships first ever lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez (22-3) has opted not to participate in the promotions upcoming Season Six 155-lbs tournament, opting instead to focus his efforts on a rematch with DREAM champion Shinya Aoki (30-5, 1NC).
Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney broke the news to MMAjunkie.com Radio Wednesday night (also featured on the podcast are Melvin Guillard, Fabricio Camoes, and prospect Jimmy Jones – the show actually starts at about 1:40 of the podcast).
“Ed won’t be part of the next tournament during the March kickoff,” Rebney said. “The decision was reached between us that the next right step wouldn’t be to jump back in the season-tournament right now.”
“We’re still talking very regularly about the Aoki fight,” he said. “We’ve been talking to DREAM about making it happen, so it could still happen as his next fight.”
Alvarez lost his title last November to Michael Chandler at Bellator 58 in one of the most exciting fights of 2011, only to be overshadowed by the UFC 139 bout between Dan Henderson vs. Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua on the same night.
The loss ended a seven fight win streak which saw Alvarez capture the Bellator title and successfully defend it once. His last loss was to Aoki back in December 2008 by first round submission.
Aoki is currently riding a seven fight win streak which includes defending his DREAM title on New Years Eve against his friend Satoru Kitaoka at the Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 event.
Once Bellator and DREAM have worked out the details of the fight between Alvarez vs. Aoki we’ll be sure to post the news as soon as were able.