The main event of Bellator 106 was a rematch two years in the making as Eddie Alvarez regained the Bellator lightweight title as he defeated Michael Chandler by split decision.
The fight opened with a high pace with both fighters throwing wild punches. Both fighters began to calm down and throw more precise punches. Chandler stuffed a takedown and they continued to exchange strikes.
Chandler chased down Alvarez to close the distance but Alvarez was able to land counter strikes. In the final minute of the opening round, Chandler caught a leg kick and took the fight to the ground. He went for a rear-naked choke but Alvarez escaped and the fight moved into the second round.
In the second round, they continued to exchange punches and Chandler’s first takedown attempt would be unsuccessful. He would eventually get the fight to the ground and looked for a rear-naked choke. He would be unable to get the choke and the fighters would separate.
After they separated, Alvarez landed a right hand but Chandler took the fight back to the ground. Alvarez would not be able to get off his back before the conclusion of the round and the fight moved into the third round.
At the start of the third round, they began to brawl with Alvarez landing the more significant strikes. Chandler would back away and they briefly grappled. After they broke away from each other, Chandler attempted to get the fight to the ground but the attempt was not successful.
Alvarez had successful with landing his punches but Chandler got the fight to the ground with a minute left in the round. Alvarez would get back to his feet but Chandler took the fight right back to the ground. The round would end on the ground and they headed into the championship rounds.
Alvarez opened up the fourth round as the agressor and had Chandler’s back against the fence. With his back on the fence, Chandler threw a flying knee that connected. He followed up the strike by taking the fight to the ground and getting into the guard of Alvarez.
Chandler worked his ground and pound, which he opened up a cut on the left side of Alvarez’s face. He briefly looked for an arm triangle choke but after being unable to secure the submission, he went back to striking on the ground. He would finish the round in the position and the fight moved into the final round.
The fifth round opened with Alvarez swinging away and Chandler had an unsuccessful takedown attempt. After landing an uppercut, Chandler took the fight to the ground and had the back of Alvarez. He immediately looked for a submission but Alvarez escaped and he got the back of Chandler on the feet.
Chandler attempted to explode but Alvarez kept it on the ground for a moment. Chandler would get back to his feet with under three minutes to go in the fight. They ended up against the cage with Alvarez landing strikes.
Alvarez got the back of Chandler and attempted multiple rear-naked chokes. Chandler defended the attempts and reverse the position. They would battle on the ground until the final horn sounded and the judges would decide the winner.
All the judges had the fight 48-47 with two of the judges seeing the fight for Alvarez (25-3). With the fight being close, all signs point to an immediate rematch being booked.
Bellator 106 Results:
Eddie Alvarez def. Michael Chandler via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
Emanuel Newton def. Muhammed Lawal via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Daniel Straus def. Pat Curran via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45)
Joe Riggs def. Mike Bronzoulis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Mike Richman def. Akop Stepanyan via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:05
Cristiano Souza def. Alejandro Garcia via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:06
Brandon Halsey def. Hector Ramirez via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, :52
Mike Guymon def. Aaron Miller via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 4:20
Cleber Luciano def. Joe Camacho via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Josh Smith def. Darren Smith via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)