In today’s Mixed Martial Arts, new fights are announced so often it’s difficult to keep track of all of them, let alone understand how they came about and what the implications are. So twice a week here at The Fight Horizon on Inside Fights, writer Daniel Sohn takes a quick, but in-depth look at newly announced match-ups to mark on your calendar.
The Matchup:
Michael Chandler (12-1)
Strengths: Well rounded, powerful striking, incredible durability
Weaknesses: Eddie Alvarez
Eddie Alvarez (25-3)
Strengths: Very well rounded, quickness in the standup, toughness, great ground game
Weaknesses: Michael Chandler
The Date: May 17, 2014
Weight Class: Lightweight
What led to it: Alvarez took the Bellator Lightweight championship from Michael Chandler in somewhat controversial fashion last November, winning an epic five round rematch in a razor-thin split decision. That made the score: Chandler: 1, Alvarez: 1. The close fight set up the rubber match and it’s what everyone wants to see. Neither Chandler nor Alvarez can move on until a clear winner is determined.
Why it matters: This fight is flying way under the radar. For how good these two guys are, especially when they are matched up with each other, it’s barely a tiny blip. If you are reading this preview or have read any other previews about it, it’s time to turn that tiny blip into DEFCON 5 status. It has all the makings of Dan Henderson vs. Shogun Rua II, just without the legendary status that those two warriors have earned. Chandler vs. Alvarez was the fight of the year for many MMA pundits. The rematch, a back and forth battle that was arguably better, is right up there with fights like Jones vs. Gustafsson, Henderson vs. Rua and Melendez vs. Sanchez.
This is it for Alvarez and Chandler. The fight that will determine their legacy. It’s for all the marbles. Not just the Bellator lightweight championship. Every once in a rare while, during the course of an MMA promotion and the careers of fighters, fate plays a role and pairs two of them together at just the right moments. Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler were destined to fight each other. It was decided every time Chandler and Alvarez won in Bellator and when Chandler became champion and Alvarez eventually re-signed with BFC, the rematch happened and delivered in every imaginable way. If they fought 100 times, Chandler would probably win 50 and Alvarez the other half. This is the very definition of a rivalry, and it’s made even better because both guys are so damn good. Chandler and Alvarez are both elite, two of the best in the world. Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos. There’s just something about these guys, when they get together it’s going to be special and they bring out the best and worst of each other.
It’s the rubber match, the bragging rights and the Lightweight strap. This may even be an unspoken “loser leaves town” match, because it would seem difficult for Chandler or Alvarez to recover from a loss here to climb back up and earn yet another shot at the other. The only reason it’s happening is because the score is tied and both fights have been so close.
These two guys are tied to each other, like it or not. Fighters are defined by who they beat and how they beat them. Chandler will be defined by how he responds to losing against Alvarez in such a closely-contested affair. Alvarez will be defined by how he fights as the champion, defending his title against his most dangerous opponent. This fight is two months away. If you want to see a memorable fight, May 17th, you’ll get one.
