Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney thinks Eddie Alvarez will sign with the UFC

Lightweight Eddie Alvarez has been a staple in Bellator since the promotion’s beginning three years ago. Along the way he became the organization’s first 155-pound champion, participated in a number of exciting pairings, and took out the likes of Josh Neer, Roger Huerta, and Shinya Aoki.

However, Alvarez’s contract is set to expire after his October 12 tilt with Patricky Freire where he’ll finally test free agency after establishing himself as one of the best 155ers in the sport. The opinion of many fans has been that the 28-year old will ultimately sign with the UFC rather than return to Bellator, and, as it turns out, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney doesn’t disagree.

Alvarez Sees Career as a Marathon, Not a Sprint

“I know that (the UFC) have had a lot of interest in Eddie for a long time. I think win or lose, Ed’s probably going to make that decision,” said Rebney in an interview with MMAFighting. “God bless him, he’s been awesome for us, and win lose or draw, he’ll do incredibly well if he ends up going to the UFC.”

Alvarez holds an overall record of 23-3 with other notable wins notched on his career such as those over Joachim Hansen, Tatsuya Kawajiri, and Pat Curran. His last in-ring effort came in April where he stopped Aoki with strikes before the midway point of the bout’s opening round.

PHOTO CREDIT – FIGHT! MAGAZINE