Eddie Alvarez takes high road on Bjorn Rebney release, while Ben Saunders celebrates 'fantastic day for MMA'

Bjorn Rebney was relieved of his duties as CEO of Bellator MMA earlier today (Weds., June 18, 2014), ending a relationship that stared over eight years ago.

See Bjorn's statement on the matter here.

While it's never a good thing to see someone lose their job, especially one they created, not everyone in the mixed martial arts (MMA) world is feeling the blues on the heels of the split.

Namely, Ben Saunders, who took to The Underground to express his elation over Rebney's firing.

This is a fantastic day for Bellator, Viacom, but above all every fighter currently signed with the promotion!

Not to mention the whole MMA community.

I don't know Scott Coker but hear nothing but great things.

Bjorn is the reason #1 reason I left Bellator. I had a horrible traumatizing experience working for that man. I damn near retired.

(Almost) Every single fighter on their roster just woke up happy!

+1 for the Good Guys! :D

"Killa B" competed for the Viacom-owned company 10 times from 2011 to 2013, winning seven of those fights before being released by the promotion late last year. One of the few fighters to publicly get the axe from the promotion.

While it's no secret Rebney had his share of issues with some of his fighters, namely Eddie Alvarez, Bjorn did manage to build the company from the ground up and bring it to where it is today, including his game-changing deal with Viacom, the same company that relieved him of his duties.

Awkward.

While details behind the split between Bjorn and Bellator have yet to be revealed, one can't help to think just what exactly went on behind closed doors on the heels of Saunder's comments.

But not all Bellator fighters are sharing Ben's excitement, including the aforementioned Alvarez, who despite his legal battles with Bjorn and Co., took the high road and wished his former boss luck on his future endeavors.

Regardless of what went on, it was fun building this company w You @BjornRebney Good luck in Your future endeavors brother !

— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) June 18, 2014

Alvarez was perhaps Bellator's first major superstar who, along with Hector Lombard, helped the company become a major player in the game.

Quinton Jackson -- Bjorn's former "No. 1 guy" -- teased his retirement after the shakeup, much to the chagrin of Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal. Scott Coker, former Strikeforce head cheese, is expected to take over as new CEO for Bellator in the coming days.

And "Killa B," for one, approves.