After nearly a three year wait, Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez could finally get a rematch with the last man to defeat him, DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki.
Sherdog reports that the fight would occur under the Bellator banner in early 2012 and despite both fighters being champions in their respective organizations, a non-title bout.
If signed, the bout would likely take place in early-2012 but no official date or location has been named.
The pair last fought at Dynamite!! 2008 on New Years Eve for the now defunct WAMMA lightweight championship. The fight lasted a mere 1:32 but was a high-paced action bout that showed why “Tobikan Judan” is one of the most feared grapplers in the world. Alvarez threw Aoki with a strong harai-goshi but it proved to be a fatal error as Aoki quickly rolled for a heel hook and forced the Philadelphia native to both tap and verbally submit.
Both Alvarez and Aoki will put their respective titles on the line this fall. Eddie Alvarez will put his Bellator title on the line October 15 at Bellator 54 against season four lightweight tournament champion and former Mizzou wrestling standout Michael Chandler. Shinya Aoki will face MMA veteran “Razor” Rob McCullough at DREAM 17 on September 24.
