Was anyone else curious as to why former Bellator Fighting Championships lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez was absent from the Bellator season six lightweight tournament field?

It turns out he has bigger fish to fry, and that means a date with destiny against Japanese lightweight superstar Shinya Aoki, who had previously been the only man to defeat him at lightweight before Michael Chandler did it this past November.

Bellator officials have informed MMAmania.com that Alvarez vs. Aoki II "should be happening this season," which would give "The Silent Assassin" his first opportunity to avenge one of his three career losses.

Alvarez himself recently revealed to The Fight Nerd that he's targeting an April date with the Japanese submission master, adding "We just recently got the contracts and things of that sort. Just need to be signed and get this match on the road."

If their rematch is anything like the first fight, it should be quick, exciting and very violent.

Alvarez originally met Aoki while battling for the WAMMA lightweight title at Dynamite!! 2008, the special New Year's Eve show at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

The bout featured 92 seconds of blistering action which included some classic Aoki butt-scooting, Alvarez loading up with a big right hand, a huge takedown into mount by Alvarez during a scramble and then Aoki somehow reversing the position into a heel hook which eventually forced the tap after some strong resistance from the Philadelphia native.

It appears Alvarez has chosen an opportunity for instant revenge over having to win three fights in a tournament first, which is only logical.

Do you think Alvarez made the right call in chasing Aoki instead of reclaiming his lightweight title in Bellator? Could this be one of the biggest fights in the promotion's young history?

Sound off, Maniacs!