Eddie Alvarez: Will Brooks Should Be My Next Opponent, But It’s Not My Decision
Bellator’s lightweight champion wants the world to know he doesn’t pick his opponent’s.
Following Will Brooks’ huge victory over Michael Chandler in the co-main event of Bellator 120, the promotions first pay-per-view, Born Rebney shocked fans by saying Alvarez vs. Chandler 3 may have to come next.
According to the C.E.O, this was due to a clause in Alvarez’s contract which states the lightweight champion’s next opponent had to be Chandler. Rebney said the decision came down to the champ.
But, according to Alvarez himself, that’s not the case:
“I’ve always had my opponents selected for me by the promotion. I’ve never had a preference. I was simply told who I was fighting, and I fought them.” Alvarez said in a recent interview with Bloody Elbow.
“”I want to be clear on this, whatever was written into my contract, was written by Bellator. I made no changes at all to the contract. If it says that I have to fight Mike Chandler again, that’s because Bellator wants it that way.”
Rebney did say it was the champions contract which specifies that he fights Chandler but he also said the 30-year old would have the choice. Alvarez said if it were up to him he’d be taking on Brooks next.
“Will Brooks should be the guy they put me in front of for my next fight. Just know that whoever is picked, whoever I end up fighting, it was never my decision. Don’t let anyone tell you any differently, it’s not my decision and it never was.”
Alvarez feels for the Bellator Season 9 tournament winner as he could now miss out on his second chance to fight for the lightweight title.
“They say if you win the tournament, you get a shot at the champion. Not only did he not get a shot at the champion, he stepped in late, did everything he was supposed to do, won an interim belt, and now he still don’t get a shot.”
The champs right and pretty much everyone in the MMA world agrees with him. If “Ill Will” doesn’t get the next shot at their lightweight title it will show just how fair Bellator really is. Alvarez thinks a fight with Brooks would even be more entertaining than a rematch with Chandler.
“I actually prefer to fight Will Brooks. It will be more exciting for me than to fight the same guy three times in a row. If I ever were given a preference, it would be to fight Will.”
The organization are really going to have to think this one out carefully as they are treading on thin ice here. If Bellator want to show the world they can be a major promotion they have to treat all their athletes fairly.
