Eddie Alvarez next fight set for Extreme Challenge on Jan. 23

It's more than likely not a showdown with Nick Diaz or a rematch against Joachim Hansen ... but it's something.

Former Elite XC fighter and 2008 DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix show stealer, Eddie Alvarez (15-1), will make his return to competition at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, N.J., on January 23 under the Extreme Challenge banner.

An opponent for the Philadelphia native has not been announced at this time.

Here's a snip from Alvarez discussing the fight during a recent interview with iGuillotine.com:

"The only thing I know 100 percent sure right now is January 23 I'll be fighting here in Atlantic City at the Tropicana. You know, bring it back home. I've been fighting overseas a lot lately, and the jet lag and everything else, it's good to just drive 40 minutes from home, get a fight and then go home and rest."

Alvarez was supposed to face off against Nick Diaz for the vacant Elite XC lightweight title on November 8, but the event was canceled less than a month out after the promotion apparently filed for bankruptcy and called it quits.

The fight was set to be the second of a three fight deal he signed with Pro Elite back in January. After his debut with the company that same month -- a relatively easy second round stoppage over Ross Ebanez -- he was invited to compete in the Japanese promotion DREAM's lightweight grand prix.

Picked by many to be a dark horse in the 16-man tournament, Alvarez defeated Dida Amade, Joachim Hansen and Tatsuya Kawajiri en route to a spot in the final against Shinya Aoki. However, he was unable to face Aoki because of some swelling around his eyes he suffered during his semi-final bout against Kawajiri.

That was the official explanation, anyway.

Hansen filled in for him in the final, defeating Aoki to win the tournament and earn the first-ever DREAM lightweight title. Afterwards, Hansen announced to the crowd that Alvarez would get the first crack at his belt.

That match, however, has yet to come to fruition.

A lot of people figured the Hansen fight to be Eddie's next match, but most of the fighters who were under contract with Pro Elite are still wondering what's going to happen with their old deals. Eddie's situation, however, is a little bit different according to his manager Monte Cox, who also happens to run Extreme Challenge.

Here's a snip from a recent Sherdog.com feature:

"Eddie’s contract with Pro Elite was also a contract with Adrenaline and Extreme Challenge, and also a contract with Dream. That contract allowed him to fight in any of those places. (Pro Elite) only owned a piece of Eddie. I put in his contract that he would fight in EliteXC and then Extreme Challenge, Adrenaline, or Dream. We were alternating. The deal also says if one of the organizations doesn’t schedule a fight or is unable to put on a fight, they lose a turn."

It all sounds quite confusing, but at least we know it won't be much longer before we get to see this kid back in the cage doing what he does best. We'll let you know as soon as an opponent is announced.