Eddie Alvarez returns defeat to Michael Chandler and regains Bellator belt

Alvarez (left) and Chandler (right) had another great fight. Photo: Bellator Disclosure

Amazing! This is how the duel between Eddie Alvarez and Michael chandler at Bellator 106, an event held this Saturday (02) in Long Beach. The fight between the lightweights, which became the show's attraction, replacing the fight between Tito Ortiz e Quinton Rampage Jackson, did not disappoint and can now be considered one of the best of 2013.

At the end of 25 minutes of an intense battle, Eddie Alvarez avenged the setback suffered in 2011, breaking Chandler's unbeaten record and taking the title from his rival.

In the remaining Bellator 106 title fights, Emanuel Newton defeated King mo Lawal and took the interim light heavyweight belt, while Daniel Straus surprised Pat Curran in the fight for the featherweight reign.

Alvarez vs. Chandler

If the first fight between Eddie Alvarez and Michael chandler was considered the best of 2011, the rematch tonight was no less.

Just as he had done in the first meeting, when he won, Chandler set a blistering pace at the beginning. With quick boxing strikes and good takedowns, the champion was close to ending the fight with a rear naked choke. However, with a lot of courage Alvarez managed to escape the submission and remain alive in the dispute.

In the second round, Eddie managed to recover from the bad start, avoided his rival's takedowns and began to unleash his striking. With good boxing blows, the challenger opened a cut on the champion's face, which was bleeding profusely.

In the third round the dispute became even again. In the fourth, the champion sought to regain control of the fight and even returned the cut to his rival's forehead. But Alvarez, with great determination, always responded to Michael's advances.

In the fifth round, ready to regain the belt, Eddie Alvarez opened the game and went all out against the champion. With a good combination of blows, he managed to pin Chandler against the bars, get to his back and then into mount. After landing several blows from the top, he came close to landing a rear naked choke and ending the fight. But Michael defended himself and ended the intense battle on top in the ground fight.

After 25 minutes of one of the best fights in recent years, Eddie Alvarez defeated Michael chandler in a split decision by the judges (48×47, 47×48, 48×47) and regained the Bellator lightweight belt.

Newton beats King mo for the second time

In another rematch of the night, the winner of the first match prevailed. Just as he had done in February, Emanuel Newton defeated the well-known Muhammed'King mo' Lawal.

Wrestling specialist, King mo He even managed to impose his game early on when he got a good takedown in the first round. But with a good base and up-to-date takedown defense, Newton avoided his rival's game in the following stages.

He kept the fight standing, landed the best boxing punches and took the fight with a unanimous decision from the judges (49×46, 49×46, 29×46).

Daniel Straus surprises Curran and takes lightweight belt

In the first title fight of the night, the surprise appeared on the show. Pat Curran entered the show as a huge favorite, but ended up being surprised by Daniel Straus.

With a solid and tactical game, the fighter, who was once arrested for drug involvement, dominated the fight and avenged the setback suffered by his rival in 2009.

After winning the first round and losing the second half, Straus returned for the third round ready to change the course of the fight. With a good set of takedowns, he stopped his rival's tactics and also benefited from Curran losing a point due to an illegal strike.

At the end of 25 minutes of fighting, Daniel Straus won the unanimous decision of the judges (49×45, 48×46, 48×46).

“Curran is a great fighter. I'm sure we will meet again”, said Daniel after the triumph.

Brazilians win in the preliminary card

Before the three title fights at Bellator 106, the Brazilians showed their value on the preliminary card. The first Brazilian to climb into the circular cage, Cleber Luciano imposed his game of takedowns to dominate Joe Camacho for 15 minutes and take victory in the unanimous decision of the judges.

Cristiano Souza preferred not to wait for the end of the fight. In the third round, the Brazilian managed a fair rear naked choke and forced Alejandro Garcia to give up the fight.

Check out the results from Bellator 106 below:

Main Card

Eddie Alvarez defeated Michael chandler in the unanimous decision of the judges;

Emanuel Newton defeated Muhammed Lawal in a unanimous decision by the judges;

Daniel Straus defeated Pat Curran via unanimous decision;

Mike Richman defeated Akop Stepanyan by technical knockout in R1;

Preliminary Card

Cristiano Souza submitted Alejandro Garcia with a rear naked choke in R3;

Brandon Halsey defeated Hector Ramirez via TKO in R1;

Mike Guymon submitted Aaron Miller with a triangle choke in R2;

Cleber Luciano defeated Joe Camacho via unanimous decision;

Josh Smith defeated Darren Smith via unanimous decision;