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3. Eddie Alvarez vs. Michael Chandler
Bellator 106
Nov. 2, 2013 | Long Beach, California
Not all rematches live up to expectations. Chandler and Alvarez made sure theirs did.

Alvarez reclaimed the lightweight championship in another scintillating encounter with Chandler, as he escaped with a split decision over the previously unbeaten NCAA All-American wrestler in the Bellator 106 main event at the Long Beach Convention Center. All three cageside judges scored it 48-47: Steven Davis and Derek Cleary for Alvarez, Mike Beltran for Chandler.

A stiff left jab and a commitment to lateral movement were key weapons in the Alvarez arsenal. He left Chandler with severe damage to his left eye, which was bleeding heavily and virtually swollen shut by fight’s end. Alvarez punctuated his victory with a superb fifth round. There, he ripped into Chandler with punches along the fence, moved to his back on the ground and nearly ended it with a rear-naked choke. Blood was everywhere.

While Alvarez chipped away on the feet, Chandler leaned on his wrestling. He delivered repeated takedowns against the Blackzilians member and threatened to finish him with a rear-naked choke inside the first round. Alvarez survived and forced the champion into deeper waters. Chandler was at his best in Round 4, where he struck for another takedown and tore into Alvarez with ground-and-pound. However, he failed to carry the momentum into the final five minutes and, as a result, lost his grip on Bellator gold.

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