UFC President Dana White says process of signing free agent Eddie Alvarez is going to ‘get ugly'

Efforts by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to sign one of the hottest free agents in all of mixed martial arts (MMA), Eddie Alvarez, do not appear to be going as well as expected given the tone of UFC President Dana White.

The UFC has already offered Alvarez --who officially became a free agent early this month once his contract with Bellator Fighting Championships expired-- a contract, but apparently have yet lock up the 28-year-old fighter, likely because Bellator has a window with an option to match any offers the UFC or any other organization presents to Alvarez.

While contract negotiations usually take place behind closed doors, White was recently asked for an update on Alvarez's situation. And while many expected White to give a run-of-the-mill answer, he did not. In fact, White said the entire situation with Alvarez is not going to be a pretty one.

"I just don't know if I can talk about it," White told a group of reporters following Thursday's UFC 155 pre-fight press conference in Las Vegas. "It's going to get ugly."

Alvarez (23-4) is one of the most exciting and talented fighters in the world at 155-pounds who is currently not with the UFC. The lightweight fighter has traveled the world over the last nine years, fighting the best non-UFC lightweights available. In organizations such as Bodog, DREAM, K-1 and Bellator, Alvarez was able to shine and earned victories over names such as Roger Huerta, Pat Curran and Shinya Aoki.

When asked exactly what he means by saying the situation is going to "get ugly," White reiterated that he couldn't, or wouldn't talk about it.

"I don't know if I can talk about it," White said. "If I could talk about it, I would. I think it's going to get ugly."

For now, the entire situation with Alvarez remains a mystery. According to several reports since Alvarez became a free agent, Bellator only has a specific timeframe in which they can choose to match or pass the UFC's contract offer.

That time is undoubtedly coming very soon and given White's tone when speaking about the situation, he doesn't sound overly optimistic that the next time Alvarez competes it will be inside the Octagon.