Shinya Aoki on tap for tilt with Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 66

The rumored rematch between submission savant Shinya Aoki and former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez appears to finally have a destination and date after months of speculation on when or whether it would take place at all. The two lightweights originally met on New Year’s Eve in 2008 where the “Tobikan Judan” tapped Alvarez out with a Heel Hook in the opening minutes of their bout.

Alvarez Anxious to Fight Aoki Again

According to MMAJunkie, both Aoki and Alvarez have verbally agreed to fight on April 20 at Bellator 66. No specific location was revealed.

Alvarez won seven straight after stumbling against the 30-5 Aoki but lost in his latest outing, a submission loss to rising star Michael Chandler this past November. Already holding victories over the likes of Pat Curran, Josh Neer, and Roger Huerta, the 22-3 Philly fighter is believed to be at the end of his Bellator contract and could be fighting in his longtime home for the last time, adding yet another layer of importance coming out with his hand raised against Aoki.

Though Alvarez came up short in his last scrap, Aoki has found success in seven consecutive bouts including five by way of submission bringing his total career tap-outs to eighteen. Aoki last visited North American in April 2011 where he took out Lyle Beerbohm in 93 seconds at a Strikeforce event.

PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE