Bellator 106: Chandler vs. Alvarez 2 – Recap and Photo Highlights

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10 years Ago

By TXMMA Staff | Photos by Mike Calimbas

LONG BEACH, CA, November 6, 2013 – It seems that the PPV cancellation stemming from the failed Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Tito Ortiz matchup did little to slow the momentum for a Bellator 106 card that delivered some fireworks and an instant classic last weekend at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Roughyl 1.1 million viewers tuned in to Spike TV for the Bellator 106 main event featuring Michael Chandler vs. Eddie Alvarez II for the promotion’s lightweight title. The two fought once before, resulting in 2011’s FOTY for the promotion. This one turned into an instant classic once again and one that delivered the largest viewership ever in the promotion’s history.

Michael Chandler vs. Eddie Alvarez II Delivers on Pre-Fight Hype

It was hard to fathom the rematch would quite live up to their much-hailed first bout considering the extended layoff Eddie Alvarez has been on (read: contract dispute) along with Michael Chandler’s impressive championship run since then but this one did indeed live up to the hype, and with Alvarez walking out with his belt once again.

The two went back and forth for the first two rounds with Chandler starting off strong using his wrestling and throwing power shots while Alvarez was a little more fleet-footed in his attack. By round three it looked like Eddie had a little more gas in his tank and he started landing some cleaner shots including one that bloodied Michael’s eye. He even got a few of his own takedowns on the NCAA wrestling vet to win the ground. By round four both fighters were looking to press with Chandler landing an awesome flying knee to rock the former champ but Alvarez would survive. It would finally come down to the fifth and final round looking like anybody’s ballgame but Alvarez was the one who took control, taking Chandler’s back and looking to finish with a read-naked choke but not quite getting it as the fight ended with both men bloodied but not broken.

This was definitely a great fight, and these two might see each other again for the rubber match somewhere down the line for sure.

Bellator 106 – Main Card Highlights

In the co-main event of the evening at Bellator 106, Emanuel Newton earned the interim light heavyweight championship with his second victory over Muhammed Lawal. It was thought that “King Mo” would be the one making the statement this past Saturday but that wasn’t the case with Newton weathering the early storm with included a takedown by Lawal in round one. From there on out this one was contested on the feet with Emanuel looking to be far and away the better striker of the two en route to the unanimous decision. Newtown will now face Attila Vegh to cement the Bellator light heavyweight title picture at a yet to be announced date.

Moving on, Daniel Straus earned his own win over old nemesis Pat Curran to become the new Bellator bantamweight champion. Straus was able to mix up between striking and taking the fight to the ground to get the win in this one despite taking a vicious knee to the head (as a downed fighter) during the fight.

Next up Joe “Diesel” Riggs used a methodical ground-based attack to hold off Mike “The Greek” Bronzoulis to win the inaugural title of Bellator’s Fightmaster in their season finale fight. Riggs will now move on to fight in the next season’s welterweight tournament and also won $100,000 for his efforts in winning the season.

A thrilling comeback victory by Mike Richman over Akop Stepanyan in the main card opener completes the Bellator 106 main card results.

Check out the complete results including the prelims plus some highlight photos below.