Report: Donald Cerrone Set To Welcome Eddie Alvarez To The Octagon At UFC 178
Featuring a pivotal light heavyweight championship between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier and many other top-level bouts, September 27’s upcoming UFC 178 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, was already one of the most explosive top-to-bottom pay-per-view (PPV) events the promotion has put together on paper.
And tonight, news comes that it may get even more exciting.
According to a report from Sherdog.com, Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez will make his way to the Octagon to face streaking No. 4 contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. The bout is still in the negotiating phase, as Alvarez remains under contract with Bellator.
The decorated champion was set to face Michael Chandler in the third leg of their heated trilogy at May’s Bellator 120 PPV, but a concussion unfortunately forced him out. Chandler subsequently lost to Will Brooks for an interim lightweight title, but rumors still had Alvarez facing Chandler when he returned.
However, with Bellator now being run by former Strikeforce head Scott Coker, there is talk that Alvarez will be released from the final fight of his contract in order to finally make his way to the Octagon. Alvarez was famously set to debut for UFC in late 2012 before a bitter contract dispute with Bjorn Rebney and Viacom lead to him regaining the belt from Chandler at Bellator 106.
It’s been considered a foregone conclusion that Alvarez would eventually fight in the world’s biggest MMA promotion, and apparently they’re ready to throw him to the wolves against Cerrone.
“Cowboy” is making a strong case for fighter of the year with three straight finish wins in 2014. He was last seen destroying highly ranked Jim Miller with a vicious head kick at UFC Fight Night 45. Before that, Cerrone submitted Edson Barboza at UFC on FOX 11 in April and knocked out Adriano Martins with another highlight reel kick at UFC on FOX 10 in January.
He’s knocking on the door of a coveted lightweight title shot, and Alvarez could be the perfect opponent to prove he’s ready for that next step. Stay tuned to LowKick MMA for any and all developments on the situation as they arise.
Photo: Bill Streicher for USA TODAY Sports
