It was announced early on Tuesday that Eddie Alvarez had been released from his Bellator contract; just hours later he has been officially signed by the UFC and will take on Donald Cerrone at UFC 178.
UFC President Dana White announced the signing and match-up via Twitter on Tuesday.
Congrats @Ealvarezfight you are finally a UFC fighter!!! Cerrone vs Alvarez #UFC178 #Vegas http://t.co/edCXjzQNIb http://t.co/qhMOVTX6Fr
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 19, 2014
Cerrone was expected to take on Bobby Green in the co-main event at UFC 178, but with the shuffle, Green will now face an undetermined opponent on a later card.
“Cowboy” (24-6, 1NC) is riding a 4 fight win streak (all finishes) including wins over ranked Lightweights Jim Miller and Edson Barboza. He was previously set to face top contender Khabib Nurmagomedov at the same event, but 20 minutes after it was officially announced Nurmagomedov injured his knee, now looking for a 2015 return.
Alvarez (25-3) is riding a three-fight winning streak, including his most recent against Michael Chandler to be crowned the Bellator Lightweight Champion. Prior to that bout, Alvarez had been out of action for over a year due to contract disputes with the promotion.
Cerrone vs. Alvarez will serve as the evening’s co-main event.
UFC 178 takes place on September 27th, 2014 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is headlined by Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson vs. Chris Cariaso, who filled in for injured Jon Jones, as he was expected to face Daniel Cormier for the Light Heavyweight title.
