Alvarez

By FCF Staff

Bellator has booked Will Brooks to fight Michael Chandler this Saturday in the promotion’s pay-per-view debut, but lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez isn’t exactly sure why the fight needs to be for an interim title.

Alvarez was recently forced to withdraw from Bellator 120, and a third fight with Chandler, due to a concussion he recently incurred. Although the renowned fighter won the promotion’s lightweight belt back in November, Chandler-Brooks will determine an interim champ.

While speaking to MMA Junkie.com recently about his injury, and this weekend’s title fight, Alvarez stated:

“I’ve never seen a champion not be able to fight one fight, and then they put on an interim title,” said Alvarez, who decisioned Chandler at Bellator 106 in his last outing. “That’s got to be the first time I’ve ever seen that. A fight’s a fight. I don’t get why we have to put a belt in there. I think we should get rid of the belts altogether, to be honest with you. But a fight’s a fight. For money, for a belt, whatever you’ve got to do.”

During a recent media call to announce Alvarez’s withdrawal, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said the interim title fight was set up, since it remains unclear when the champ will return.

Alvarez confirmed that he doesn’t want to rush his recovery, but also noted that he will make “this trilogy” with Chandler happen.

Bellator 120 will be hosted by the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi.