Eddie Alvarez vs. Michael Chandler is back on. After briefly being derailed by an injury from the champion, Alvarez's second title defense has been rescheduled for Bellator 58 on November 19 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Bellator officials confirmed the news on Thursday.
Considered by many to be the top lightweight outside of the Zuffa banner, Alvarez (22-2) has amassed a seven-fight win streak since debuting for Bellator in 2009, including wins over Roger Huerta and Pat Curran. The 27-year-old native of Philadelphia has developed a reputation as a well-rounded finisher, having allowed just three of his 22 wins to reach the judges, while compiling 12 knockouts and seven submissions.
Across the cage, Chandler (8-0) hopes to keep his undefeated record alive after earning the title shot by running roughshod through the Bellator season-four lightweight tournament, capped by a unanimous decision victory over Brazilian striker Patricky "Pitbull" Freire in mid-May. Despite a string of impressive performances, the 25-year-old Xtreme Couture product heads into the November bout as a three-to-one underdog due to the jump in competition.