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With Eddie Alvarez reportedly only contracted for two fights with Bellator, how do you expect this stretch to play out? Will he lose to Michael Chandler on Nov. 2, win that fight but lose the rubber match, or beat Chandler twice? Why?
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
There are only two or three fighters I would pick in a fight against Michael Chandler, and unfortunately, Eddie Alvarez isn't one of them. Chandler was the better fighter in 2011, and has greatly improved since then. There's just no way that Alvarez has improved more than Chandler has during that same time-frame. Chandler's remained active, or as active as a Bellator Champion can stay, whilst Bellator has conned Alvarez into stagnation. Chandler's the golden boy, and there's almost no way Alvarez is beating him in November. And even if he does get the upset, no one in their right mind can assume now that he's winning consecutive fights against the great Michael Chandler.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Ultimately it will not matter how the last two fights of his career play out because Alvarez will end up in the UFC and challenge for a lightweight title. I feel like Chandler has Alvarez’s number, and that he may indeed lose to the current Bellator Lightweight Champ. Chandler is an excellent wrestler with good stand up who has an excellent chin. Alvarez has had trouble with wrestlers in the past and that is why I think he may lose to Chandler. After that he will have one more high profile fight in Bellator and then on to the UFC. He matches up very well with many of the top ten UFC lightweight fighters. He will be in the mix at 155 in 2014 for the UFC.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
I think he beats Chandler twice. Alvarez is the better rounded fighter and is absolutely capable of defeating the present champion. Then he walks into the UFC with a Bellator title and a higher price tag than before courtesy of Bjorn Rebney and his stupid contractual add ins. Either way Alvarez to the UFC after two fights unless he flops a 2-0 is a done deal in my mind.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think Alvarez loses to Chandler, then heads to the UFC. I think Alvarez is a good fighter, but Chandler is a bit better. It's a gamble, sure, but I think it's a good gamble for Alvarez. It's true another loss to Chandler won't look that good, but Alvarez comes to the UFC and gets some wins under his belt it'll all work out. It's a lot of personal pressure, but most athletes put that kind of pressure on themselves regardless so it should be ok.
RAZ, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Eddie Alvarez is a hot topic at the moment with his strained relations with Bellator to now fighting for them yet again it has been a bit of back and forth between him and the boss. I think he will beat Chandler but I don't see these last two fights being the end of the Alvarez vs. Bellator saga. Expect more tantrum and tears once he has fulfilled his obligations.
DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST
If the first fight is anything to go by, speculating as to who wins is purely guess work without logic. They're both fantastic and talented enough to get the win at any time, by any method during a fight. My early prediction is a win for Eddie Alvarez in fight two followed by a win for Michael Chandler in the rubber match.
[Eddie Alvarez photo (c) Henry Dziekan III]
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