Sherdog’s Top 10: Greatest Bellator MMA Fighters

7. Eddie Alvarez

The great “Underground King,” who finished as Sherdog's sixth greatest lightweight ever, was a champion in numerous major promotions around the world. That of course includes the UFC, where despite being a big underdog against reigning champion Rafael dos Anjos, he needed less than four minutes to dethrone him with a series of brutal punches. Yet, Alvarez's prime, from 25 to 29 years old, was spent in Bellator, where he attained a sterling 9-1 mark, seven of those wins finishes, and was a two-time lightweight champion. He was the company's first huge signing, starring at the promotion’s debut event, and certainly justified the investment. His first fight against Michael Chandler, his lone Bellator loss, is still one of the greatest fights in MMA history. He was given the decision in the rematch, though most, myself included, scored it for Chandler. However, Alvarez destroyed everyone else he faced in the promotion, including second-round knockouts of excellent opposition for the era including Katsunori Kikuno, Josh Neer and Roger Huerta, sweeping all five rounds easily against Pat Curran, flattening Shinya Aoki in a little over two minutes to avenge a previous submission loss in K-1 MMA, and a gorgeous first-round head kick knockout of future lightweight champion Patricky Freire. In his prime, Alvarez was a fantastic offensive striker as well as an excellent wrestler with vicious ground-and-pound and submissions. Even then, Alvarez had holes in his striking defense, though his chin was at its toughest and his recuperative powers were amazing. Still, only Chandler, who I think was clearly the best lightweight in the world at the time, was able to take advantage. Alvarez set a tremendous mark in the promotion and is a very well-deserved entry here.

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