Bellator has released Eddie Alvarez from his contract with the organization per a company Media Alert. The media advisory also includes a statement from Alvarez.
Via Bellator media advisory:
Bellator President Scott Coker has released a statement regarding Eddie Alvarez:
“We’ve granted Eddie his unconditional release. Eddie is free to explore the free agent market, we hold no matching rights, and we wish him the best in the future. We sat down with Eddie and his team a few times, and it became pretty clear early on that he just wasn’t interested in fighting for Bellator in the future. We want guys in this organization that want to be here, and after the history Eddie and the former regime had here at Bellator, we decided to move on. We wish Eddie the absolute best of luck with whatever is next for him. It’s a new chapter for everyone involved.”
Eddie Alvarez has also released a statement:
“This was a long process but it’s a decision that everyone seems happy with. I think it’s important to say that I am genuinely thankful for my time at Bellator. I know that sounds a little crazy given everything I went through, but I’ve fought there since 2009, and have been involved in some really amazing fights. The staff there always treated me great, and I’m going to miss seeing a lot of those familiar faces around for sure. Myself and my team had some really good discussions with Scott, but in my heart I knew I was ready to move on and start the next chapter in my career.”
Payout Perspective:
This move is probably not surprising to most following the situation since it was clear Alvarez wanted out and Coker likely wanted a clean break from the old regime. Releasing Alvarez under “amicable” terms lets Bellator move on without having to answer any more questions about the Alvarez situation and it allows Alvarez to move on with his career. We’ll see if his career continues in the UFC or somewhere else. The one negative for Alvarez here is that he loses leverage with the UFC in negotiating a contract since the UFC is the only place (with the money) where he can land.
UPDATED: 3pm 8/19/14. And just like that Alvarez is in the UFC.
Congrats @Ealvarezfight you are finally a UFC fighter!!! Cerrone vs Alvarez #UFC178 #Vegas http://t.co/edCXjzQNIb http://t.co/qhMOVTX6Fr
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 19, 2014
In this situation Bellator sounds more professional in dealing with alvarez than how dw treats its athlete hahaha
Your an idiot tops. Coker sounds professional because he has no history or anything invested in Alverez. Did your simple mind not pay attention when Alverez sit out for a year while Bellator forced him to stay?
What is funny is Coker making it looking like Averez had a problem with the old regime rather than the company that stil exists. So who exactly is the old regime? Bjorn is the only one gone. Calling him the regime is a joke. Pretending Alverez doesn’t want to stay only because his history with Bjorn is a bigger joke. But Coker can’t come out and say Alverez hates Bellator because it’s a two bit promotion and it’s still the same regime.
Tops is a donk
Tops may be a leper.
Hahaha 3 ufc shills defending theyre master hahahaha
Tops = ghdfjokbiniii. Vision kiwis poo
Good for Coker to release a fighter who didn’t want to be there. That’s why fighters respect him. I think Bellator did a good job bringing him in.
helloooo ppv points!
Fighters respect him? They don’t respect someone who they can walk over. What has that “respect” done fore him? What have those fighters done for him? What they have done is left him in droves the first chance they got. He was losing thefight ears in Sf and he is losing them now. Because as long as he kisses their ass his promotions will always be weak and not be able to compete financially. At some point he will have to ale the same stance as the UFC and actually run his business properly.
Alvarez is a non issue and will barley improve any ppv buys for the UFC. The only recognition he ever had was a contract dispute.
SalDAQUEEEEF!