A rematch between Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez and Dream champion Shinya Aoki is reportedly in the works for 2012. According to a report from Sherdog, both fighters are expected to sign bout agreements in the near future. Neither belt will be on the line in this non-title fight.
Aoki submitted Alvarez with a heel hook in less than two minutes on New Year’s Eve in 2008 to claim the inaugural WAMMA title. Since then Aoki has won the Dream lightweight title and defended it against Tatsuya Kawajiri. In 2010, he challenged Gilbert Melendez for the Strikeforce title, but ultimately dropped the decision. In his last fight, he submitted UFC veteran Rich Clementi with a neck crank.
The “Tobikan Judan” is currently scheduled to meet former WEC champion “Razor” Rob McCullough at Dream 17 on Sept. 24.
Since dropping only his second fight to Aoki, Alvarez has won seven-straight fights. He submitted his way through the first Bellator lightweight tournament to claim the title and has since defended the belt once against Pat Curran. During his current stretch, he has also defeated Deep champion Katsunori Kikuno, Josh Neer and Roger Huerta.
Alvarez will defend his title against tournament champion Michael Chandler at Bellator 54 on Oct. 15.