Bellator FC: Eddie Alvarez vs. Josh Neer ‘Super Fight’ set for May 2010
by Press Release on Feb 16, 2010 6:13 PM EST
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CHICAGO, Ill. (February 16, 2010) — Bellator Fighting Championships announced today that its reigning lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez, the No. 2-ranked lightweight in the world, will square off in a non-title "Super Fight" with UFC veteran Josh "The Dentist" Neer under the Bellator banner this May.
The fight is the first Super Fight matchup to be announced by Bellator, which is now gearing up for its much-anticipated nationally-televised second season. These non-tournament, non-title catch-weight fights will pit Bellator’s Season 1 Champions — Alvarez, Joe Soto, Lyman Good and Hector Lombard — against top competition as they prepare to defend their titles from Bellator’s Season 2 tournament winners this fall.
The Alvarez-Neer fight will take place during one of Bellator’s May events and will be televised live on FOX Sports Net and during Bellator highlight shows on NBC and Telemundo. The exact date will be announced in the coming weeks.
Alvarez, the Philadelphia native and Fight Factory product, has driven his 19-2 professional record to the No. 2 ranking in the world at lightweight. He dominated Bellator’s Season 1 tournament to take home the first-ever Bellator Lightweight Championship belt.
Neer, an Iowa native who is 27-9-1 over the course of his seven-year MMA career, is a three-time veteran of the UFC with signature wins over Melvin Guillard and TUF winners Joe Stevenson and Mac Danzig. Since his last UFC fight in October 2009, Neer is 2-0, with both wins coming via first-round stoppages.
"In addition to being one of the top lightweights on earth, Eddie’s a blast to watch fight," said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "Alvarez vs. Neer should produce fireworks from the start. Our hyper-competitive tournaments, May super-fights and September title-defense fights will all create some awesome nationally televised events."
Alvarez, who underwent minor arthroscopic knee surgery on Jan. 13th, said he is itching to make his return to the cage against Neer.
"I’ve seen Josh Neer fight, and he’s a banger," Alvarez said. "I love this fight because he never puts on a dull fight and those are the kinds of matches that suit me the best. I expect my knee to be 100 percent soon and I’m expecting that this is going to be my best performance ever."
Neer said he also expects the fight to be an exciting one.
"This is definitely a tough fight because Alvarez is a really explosive fighter and one of the top two or three lightweights in the world," Neer said. "I think that if I beat him, it would be a huge win for me and would really help me increase my notoriety. It’s a great opportunity."
For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bellator.
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Like em both but
Eddie will take the win…
"Fundamentals are a crutch for the talentless" - Kenny Powers
agree for eddie
not sure if its a super fight, but eddie should have this although neer is quite tuff.
by MMA-Supplements on Feb 16, 2010 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
So I guess Alvarez isnt in the tourney?
Kind of lame they have to make it non-title. When orgs. do that it makes it seem like they dont want their guy to lose the title.
With that being said I got my ticket to go to the show in April.
@fjbar on twitter...formerly El Mexicutioner
Typically the champ isn't in the touney
and the winner of the tourney then faces the champ.
Most tourney’s are designed to crown a champion (when there is currently no champ) or to determine who the #1 contender to the champ is.
I AM SOMETIMES BIASED - Get over it!!!!!!!
And if that is how Bellators format is this season (not sure it is)
It’s still protecting him. And if he loses, should he still be considered a champion?
I’d like to see the fight, but the “Super Fight” label seems pretty lame when there is nothing on the line.
@fjbar on twitter...formerly El Mexicutioner
oh yeah. This should be a title fight, that is lame. ALSO
Roger Huerta vs Eddie Alvarez is the fight that I would want to see most.
I AM SOMETIMES BIASED - Get over it!!!!!!!
The Problem is
if somehow Eddie Alvarez (which I dont think he will) how is BFC going to spin that loss? Neer is maybe a top 50 LW at best?
Your top fighter loses to a guy who just got cut by the UFC
or
Your top fighter beats a guy who was just cut by the UFC
This fight is a lose lose situation
Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/ultmma
http://www.ultmma.com
#2 ranked LW?
That must be Bellator hype, cause that just isn’t true.
by BNF on Feb 16, 2010 6:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, complete anti-UFC BS
There is NO WAY Alvarez is #2. No one that has to have a “Superfight” with Neer is #2. I don’t hate Neer but be real.
Alvarez is like so many “elite” fighters that stay away from the UFC. They only stay elite because they stay away.
Give a man to fish and feed him for a day. Kick his stupid ass and maybe he will leave you alone.
by JasonFahQ on Feb 16, 2010 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Anti-UFC? More like Anti-Dream!!
He’s obviously #3. Seriously guys, the man is very good and was #2 most of last year. I think he’s probably the only one at LW with the firepower to stand with BJ. Too bad he himself is very hittable and would get brutally mashed before he could get anything going. Also it’s not and has never been Bellator’s intention or vision to have the best fighters in the world-just listen to the pres Bjorn talk.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Feb 16, 2010 7:06 PM EST up reply actions
He’s obviously damn good but he also has some holes that can be exploited. One of the reasons he’s not in the UFC right now because he thinks he has more to work on (the other is money, the guy doesn’t need them to be marketable)
I <3 ufc
Yeah alavrez is stayin away from the ufc to stay elite? alvarez would probably run through most of the ufc lightweights with the exception of penn. and why not fight for bellator..what did he make like 100 gs for beating toby imada..what do ufc fights usually make in their debut? maybe if their lucky 10 gs to show 10 gs to win
by Thornton1989 on Feb 16, 2010 9:35 PM EST up reply actions
Alvarez would run through the ufc lw division?
Haha keep dreaming buddy, I would love to see him fight florian, griffin, edgar, sherk, and maynard. His record is built off less than stellar competition and he would not fair well in the ufc.
by mma guru on Feb 16, 2010 9:47 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Florian would get knocked THE FUCK out
Griffin is actually their #2 LW IMO and on a style match-up would be a great fight and might beat Eddie (left him out of my consideration on the post below), Edgar would get beat standing or on the ground, Sherk would get destroyed standing with his T-Rex arms and Maynard’s only chance with his horrible stand up would be to get TD after TD which I don’t see happening.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 16, 2010 10:39 PM EST up reply actions
I actually think Frankie can catch Eddie in the standup
Eddie has close to zero defense standing. In nearly every fight I’ve seen of his, he gets rocked while standing, agaisnt COMPLETE BUMS. Frankie got real fast and improving hands. Saying Alvarez runs thru him is no longer true. A year and a half ago, yes. But now, no.
I AM SOMETIMES BIASED - Get over it!!!!!!!
Tyson's striking is worse than Frankie's and Sherk's, that's how he lost to both of them
He’s nowhere near #2 in the UFC, I don’t even have him in the top 5. Florian, Frankie, Gray and Sherk are all better than Tyson and all would give Eddie a lot of problems, while BJ would destroy him at this point. Eddie’s talented but his defence isn’t good enough standing or on the ground to beat elite LWs, that’s why he’s nowhere near #2 in the world either.
"If I could change my name what would it be? Jesus"
Tito Ortiz (seriously...)
said probably run through the ufc lw division. i would love to see him fight any of those guys too . whos to say who would take it but he has a great shot against any of them. and less than stellar competition? guys likeaoki hansen kawajiri are all usually ranked higher than the ufc lws .
by Thornton1989 on Feb 16, 2010 11:05 PM EST up reply actions
Lol and where do you get this from
Who has alvarez beat for you to think this would happen?
???
He just listed those guys. Guru you kill me sometimes. Anyways, once Alvarez has his cake, he’ll be in the UFC just like Mousasi, King Mo, Hornbuckle, Lombard, hell even Aoki desperately wants to fight stateside along all those guys who are lauded for their skills. Only then will this afraid of UFC and everyone outside sucks nonsense will end. It’s as dumb as UFC vs Pride and once again we’ll have to wait until this debate is resolved.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Feb 16, 2010 11:49 PM EST up reply actions
i know guru blows my mind
They said his opponents 2 or 3x and he continues to ask? Lol weird cat.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Feb 17, 2010 12:05 AM EST up reply actions
He said he'll go to the UFC when he doesn't need money
Which is basically the truth. ZUFFA pays like shit. Eddie would mash up everybody in their promotion at 155 besides BJ and he would have a hell of a fight with BJ.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 16, 2010 10:36 PM EST up reply actions
Ufc pays more than where he fights now easily
Eddie would get hurt in the ufc and i hope we see it soon.
by mma guru on Feb 16, 2010 11:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
retard
honestly dont think you know what your talkin or you just have the birds of any associated with the ufc in your mouth. eddie beat guys like hanzen and kawajiri who at the time wghen he beat them were ranked higher than mostly allt he ufc lws. some rankins may still have them in the top 10. and in 3 fights for bellator eddie made 175,000 …..i highly doubt guys like griffin edgar maynard make that in 3 fights
by Thornton1989 on Feb 16, 2010 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
thats exactly true.
they dont get paid that. @175k for 3 fights he’s getting way more then the vast majority of them.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Feb 16, 2010 11:22 PM EST up reply actions
Retard
Eddie would easily make more in the ufc and yes griffin, edgar, maynard and florian would beat those guys. You want proof wait for him to sign with ufc and get his ass beat down.
by mma guru on Feb 16, 2010 11:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You're telling me that Edgar etcmake more than 175k a fight?
You’re the ruh’tard. What these guys were saying is he built himself into making this type of coin much faster this route then the UFC route. And it’s true. Just cause your quick to Roid Rage on your keyboard doesn’t make you right.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Feb 16, 2010 11:27 PM EST up reply actions
* 3 fights sorry
100k in one of the fights
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Feb 16, 2010 11:28 PM EST up reply actions
Edgar would whoop his ass
And I hope we see it
Hope we see it too
Personally i think edgar stands as much of a chance against eddie as he does bj..maybe thats too much to say, but where is edgars game better than eddies? and eddie is also a lot bigger and stronger than edgar. edgar will fall to the bottom of the pool once bj demolishes him
by Thornton1989 on Feb 17, 2010 1:32 AM EST up reply actions
lOVE MY PHILLY KAT EA!
WOULD DESTROY ANYONE IN THE UFC MINUS BJ…BUT HE WOULD GIVE BJ A WAR!
lol hi john
But can you at least see where I’m coming from on his last fight in the ‘White Cage’ debut? See what I said below. I’d like your take on it.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Feb 16, 2010 11:32 PM EST up reply actions
I'd like to see Neer with the Upset
My breakout fighter for this coming year: Terry Etim
Upset of the Year: John Hathaway over Diego Sanchez
it’s possible. eddie doesn’t have the best sub defense and neer has a longer reach and decent striking, nor is he finished easy
His Sub D might not be world class
but its more than serviceable. He got out of that beautiful helicopter armbar that Hellboy kicked him into
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 16, 2010 10:43 PM EST up reply actions
i think neer takes it
His boxing is pretty good too, and we’ve yet to see neer finished, or has he been?
Will eddie shoot on neer?
Anyways I like eddie, but I think neer upsets him with a guillotine or some sort of sub.
by Phenomenal Angel on Feb 16, 2010 10:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Neer's been finished a few times
Nick subbed him with a Kimura back at UFC 65 I think ( or 60-something), Drew Ficket choked him unconscious at one of the early Ultimate Fight Nights, and Mark Miller, a TUF first round loser was the first guy to KO him with punches in the IFL.
But Neer IS a tough bastard.
My breakout fighter for this coming year: Terry Etim
Upset of the Year: John Hathaway over Diego Sanchez
by Synyster_08 on Feb 16, 2010 10:54 PM EST up reply actions
Neer could have a chance in this one
At this point his biggest weakness is his TDD, he’s got good striking and a dangerous guard so if he’s not matched up against a wrestler then he is a dangerous opponent. Eddie is very good but can get reckless and whilst he got away with it in Bellator and Dream against lesser opponents you can’t do that against a veteran like Neer, should be interesting to see what weight they fight in now that Josh is back at 170 and this fight is supposed to be a non-title catchweight.
"If I could change my name what would it be? Jesus"
Tito Ortiz (seriously...)
War Alvarez!!!
Eddie is an exciting fighter! His fights with hansen & kawajiri were so crazy! I wud luv 2 see him fight Roger huerta, gomi, Penn , or Tyson griffin!
by d*locc on Feb 16, 2010 7:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
All great choices for fights with Eddie
Every one could end up as a FotY caliber fight.
recc
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 16, 2010 10:44 PM EST up reply actions
well
i dont know if this can be a called a superfight, but whatever.
would suck for bellator if the ufc reject NEER wins
altho i think eddie will probably win it should be a good fight bc, eddie takes punishment in his fights
Super Fight
Not really, nonetheless, Alvarez is a big favorite of mine to watch fight. Hopefully he is more impressive then he was at the 1st caged dream a few months back, as he didn’t look like himself, even though he took the W.
worbanizer
I thought that was a good fight. Kickuno got him in a nastye full nelson type thing that obvious hurt his neck a lot. but he came back to knock him out while avoiding that nasty body kick Kikuno likes to do.
really i thought eddie should've had a much easier time then he did
I felt that it was much too close to being all over, and that Eddie can’t afford to fight like that against that type of fighter if he looks to get in the upper of the UFC.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Feb 16, 2010 9:30 PM EST up reply actions
Then you obviously don't know who kikuno is
Kikuno is a dangerous fight for anybody.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 16, 2010 10:46 PM EST up reply actions
Yes I do
But I’m not as easily sold on Japs fighting japs etc, an then just saying “Oh he’s dangerous”. I feel if we are to believe that Eddie is the top 3 LW in the world then that fight should not have been so close. And I stand by what I said. I’m a huge fan of Eddie and would love to see him fight Penn. But unfortunately I’m also a realist.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Feb 16, 2010 11:25 PM EST up reply actions
i AGREE TO AN EXTENT BUT....
i FEEL HE TEST HIMSELF AGAINST a lot of top guys…he wasnt healthy in his last fight…I dont know how public his knee problem and shouder probs were, but he was struggling.
I know I am biased for my boy, but I honestly feel he would beat anyone in the UFC except BJ, and he would give bj a better fight then anyone has. Believe me he is the real deal
i agree
the kikuno fight was a tough fight for eddie that neck crank hurt him early on..i thought he was gonna tap from it.. cant dominate every fight and when your ranked as high as him every fight should be a test and not a cake fight but his striking looked pretty precise in the 2nd round of that fight as well as his ground game..kikuno was almost done with the guillotine too.. kikuno is a tough fighter. a few of the ufc lws pose a threat to alvarez but he could win those fights as well. he isnt on bjs level yet (he even said it in a couple interviews) but in a year or so would love to see that fight if they both keep winnin.. mma guru is an idiot by the way
by Thornton1989 on Feb 17, 2010 1:38 AM EST up reply actions
good posts boys
Still nice fights for him outside the UFC:
Melendes
Thomson
aoki rematch
JZ
but I really want to see him bang it out against Huerta in strikeforce
Thread Hijack...
Is this rumor remotely true?
Rumored UFC 115 card:
Randy Couture vs. Rich Franklin
Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz
Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald
Tyson Griffin vs. Evan Dunham
Pat Barry vs. Gilbert Yvel
James Wilks vs. Peter Sobotta
Mike Pyle vs. Jesse Lennox
enzo-enormous
http://blog.ohsoawesome.com
According to other MMA sites, yes.
OD is incredibly handsome, coureagous and self sacrificing in his endeavour to educate me on MMA and evolve my primitive understanding of the sport; I salute you sir.
Wow its an alright card I guess
I’m glad I’m going to the Montreal one instead thats for sure.
superfight?
superfight? not for the title? neer must have a one and done contract with bellator.
formerly JB, trying to figure out this whole new SB deal. oh, and another thing; i'm not impressed by your performance.
if he wins he'll probably get a title shot at either WW or a rematch with Eddie for the LW
My breakout fighter for this coming year: Terry Etim
Upset of the Year: John Hathaway over Diego Sanchez
by Synyster_08 on Feb 16, 2010 10:58 PM EST up reply actions
Alvarez in Bellator....
You guys need to remember that Alvarez is still very young. The reason he’s with Bellator is because they’re paying him the most. Yes, they’re paying him more than the UFC would at this point. Once he’s financially comfortable, maybe we’ll see him in the UFC. Personally, I wouldn’t take less money to fight better or worse competition. It’s all about the $, especially when you make what fighters make. We’re not talking about an NFL athlete turning down $9 million to go make $10 million, not that there’s anything wrong with that, though.
That is fine but you can’t fight for a b league org and then want to be called the best because the best fight for the UFC. This is what I always say you want to make short term money go to a lesser org you want to fight the best and earn longterm money the only place that can happen is in the UFC. btw, Neer is going to beat Eddie this match is set up for him to take this.
Your whole post is full of shit. My reply was directed at people who think Eddie would actually make more with the UFC. Eddie’s run through the Dream LW tourney is what landed him as one of the best. And he never said he was the best… the people who make up those lists said that. Not all of the best are in the UFC… look at Fedor. And I don’t see how this match is suited for Neer. They’re two bangers. The match up is suited for fan entertainment.
by ballhawkdawk on Feb 17, 2010 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
Good fight even though it should really be for the belt unless they have it at a CW
Both of these guys match up well with each other, Eddie’s one of the best and most exciting fighters outside of the UFC and Josh is a talented veteran who is always exciting when not matched up against dominant wrestlers. No idea why Eddie’s being promoted as the #2 LW in the world though, anyone who has him ranked higher than BJ and Aoki needs their head examined.
"If I could change my name what would it be? Jesus"
Tito Ortiz (seriously...)
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