Rumor has it that Bellator Lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez is headed to the UFC. Sherdog.com broke the news, stating that the UFC is looking to book a fight between Alvarez and Donald Cerrone at UFC 178.
Sources close to the bout who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the matchup had not yet been finalized confirmed the news to Sherdog.com. The bout is contingent on the UFC acquiring Alvarez’s services from Bellator. Negotiations are ongoing because Alvarez currently remains under Bellator contract at the time of this writing.
Alvarez, who has won 10 of his past 11 fights, has been one of the best fighters outside of the UFC for years. The Bellator champion has stated his desire to compete in the UFC, but has yet to get the opportunity due to prior contract disputes with Bellator. Things have since changed, with new CEO Scott Coker at the helm, we could see Alvarez and Bellator finally part ways.
As for Alvarez’s would be opponent, Cerrone is red hot; he is currently ranked fourth in the UFC’s Lightweight division and is riding a four-fight winning streak, finishing all four opponents. Cerrone was originally booked to face third ranked Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 178, but the fight was scrapped due to Nurmagomedov tearing his meniscus.
A bout between Alvarez and Cerrone could easily be viewed as a number one contender bout at Lightweight, with the victor taking on the winner of UFC 181’s title bout between Gilbert Melendez and Anthony Pettis. Regardless of where it will put them in the division, Alvarez vs. Cerrone should have all the makings of a can’t miss fight.
UFC 178 takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada and is shaping up to be by far the most stacked fight card of the year. The card will be headlined by a Light Heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier. Also included among many great fights will be a Featherweight feature between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier, Bobby Green vs. Jorge Masvidal and the much anticipated return of former UFC Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz. [source]