http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/02/bjorn-rebney-says-bellator-pay-per-view-on-fast-track-if-alvarez-dispute-ended
by Steven Marrocco on Feb 06, 2013 at 12:15 pm ET
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Bellator's first pay-per-view event will happen sooner rather than later if Eddie Alvarez returns to the promotion's fold.
"If we can figure that out, I think we'd be on a fast track to being able to put [a pay-per-view card] in motion," Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney on Tuesday told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
After suing each other in court, the two parties apparently are at a standstill. To Rebney's knowledge, there haven't been any new developments since a federal judge blocked an injunction to allow Alvarez to sign with the UFC, which intended to promote him at UFC 159 in April.
A rep for Alvarez recently declined comment on the dueling lawsuits' status.
Rebney said he hasn't kept close track of the cases since he's been focused on Bellator's crossover to Spike TV and the recent announcement of a new reality show featuring UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture.
"I put it into the hands of the attorneys and said, 'Let me know when and if we can reopen the door and try to get it fixed and work it out,'" he said.
In matching an offer from UFC parent Zuffa at the expiration of Alvarez's previous contract, Bellator signaled its intention to promote him in a spring pay-per-view fight against the man who took his belt, current champ Michael Chandler (11-0 MMA, 8-0 BFC).
Alvarez (24-3 MMA, 8-1 BFC), though, declined to sign the offer, arguing that the deals weren't equivalent and questioning whether Bellator could deliver on pay-per-view.
Bellator lawyers argued the promotion's relationship with Viacom positioned it for success in the pay TV market. The media giant, which owns Spike TV, purchased a controlling interest in the promotion two years ago.
In court late this past month, the federal judge determined that Alvarez hadn't sufficiently proven that he would be irreparably harmed if he didn't sign with the UFC.
Now, Alvarez will ultimately decide whether to return to Bellator or fight further to free himself. Rebney remains optimistic he'll do the former. The promoter wants to see Chandler vs. Alvarez II.
"It's the best fight I've ever seen live, pay-per-view or free," Rebney said. "I think the rematch of that fight would be epic."
ImA2TimeLoser -Will not buy
Very few will, they will flop on PPV.
ImA2TimeLoser -Will not buy
This, but at some point I'd probably watch it after the fact.
Is Alvarez really worth all of this trouble for Bellator? 
Bjorn talks about how a guy in a shiny suit behind a desk doesnt give out title shots in Bellator, you have to win a tournament.
But a guy in a shiny suit behind a desk is giving Eddie a title shot if he signs when he didnt win a tournament.
Chris27 - Bjorn talks about how a guy in a shiny suit behind a desk doesnt give out title shots in Bellator, you have to win a tournament.
But a guy in a shiny suit behind a desk is giving Eddie a title shot if he signs when he didnt win a tournament.
Exactly. Lex Luther was drawn that way for a reason. MMA fans have to stop being so gullible.
I prefer that Eddie just go to the UFC and Bellator just stay in the TV business, we don't need more PPVs, the UFC has already milked the MMA fan more than any sport, lets focus on free fights
liquidrob - I prefer that Eddie just go to the UFC and Bellator just stay in the TV business, we don't need more PPVs, the UFC has already milked the MMA fan more than any sport, lets focus on free fights
They will, they are only doing this to get Eddie, if he ends up staying with them they will do a PPV, it will do terrible numbers and they will realize they should worry about getting more people to watch their free shows.
Also if I'm the UFC as soon as I hear the have a firm date for a PPV i immediately schedule an FX card the same night and maybe put a Flyweight title fight on FX or something.
Getting 2 mill to watch the UFC on FX really cuts into any potential PPV buyers for Bellator.
This is a win-win situation for the UFC. They either steal Eddie Alvarez or Bellator gives him way more than they can afford and really hurt themselves financially.
OnlyTheStrongSurvive -Is Alvarez really worth all of this trouble for Bellator?
I think Bjorn is making these statements to fuel the lawsuit. I think he is full of shit. They are just making public statements to try and convince the courts, and Eddie, that they "matched" the offer.
liquidrob - I prefer that Eddie just go to the UFC and Bellator just stay in the TV business, we don't need more PPVs, the UFC has already milked the MMA fan more than any sport, lets focus on free fights
Yep 
Chris27 -liquidrob - I prefer that Eddie just go to the UFC and Bellator just stay in the TV business, we don't need more PPVs, the UFC has already milked the MMA fan more than any sport, lets focus on free fights
They will, they are only doing this to get Eddie, if he ends up staying with them they will do a PPV, it will do terrible numbers and they will realize they should worry about getting more people to watch their free shows.
Also if I'm the UFC as soon as I hear the have a firm date for a PPV i immediately schedule an FX card the same night and maybe put a Flyweight title fight on FX or something.
Getting 2 mill to watch the UFC on FX really cuts into any potential PPV buyers for Bellator.
This.
OnlyTheStrongSurvive - This is a win-win situation for the UFC. They either steal Eddie Alvarez or Bellator gives him way more than they can afford and really hurt themselves financially.
And this.
Fast track to horrible sales numbers...
UGCTT_ Lay'n'PrayNINJA -OnlyTheStrongSurvive - Is Alvarez really worth all of this trouble for Bellator?I think Bjorn is making these statements to fuel the lawsuit. I think he is full of shit. They are just making public statements to try and convince the courts, and Eddie, that they "matched" the offer.
I don't think it would end well if they tried to say nevermind. Fighter's aren't going to want to fight there and Alvarez could probably win a law suit over it.
i love bellator, but i wouldnt pay more than 10-20 for a bellator PPV.
they should just let alvarez go, they dont NEED him or anything, just let him go to the UFC and wreck house.
Bellator cannot give Eddie a percentage of PPV buys like the UFC can because they have NO PPV's.
This is just a BS attempt by Bjorn to make Eddie think they can match his offer if he sticks around. Nice try though
NAKMEEZY - Bellator cannot give Eddie a percentage of PPV buys like the UFC can because they have NO PPV's.
This is just a BS attempt by Bjorn to make Eddie think they can match his offer if he sticks around. Nice try though
I don't think he's trying to convince Eddie, he has to convince the court (or whatever official name it has)
OnlyTheStrongSurvive -UGCTT_ Lay'n'PrayNINJA -OnlyTheStrongSurvive - Is Alvarez really worth all of this trouble for Bellator?I think Bjorn is making these statements to fuel the lawsuit. I think he is full of shit. They are just making public statements to try and convince the courts, and Eddie, that they "matched" the offer.
I don't think it would end well if they tried to say nevermind. Fighter's aren't going to want to fight there and Alvarez could probably win a law suit over it.
Oh if Eddie is forced to accept the "match" they will do PPVs, they will just have terrible buyrates and not be profitable. I think he is grandstanding and really just wants to "win" and get Eddie back in Bellator. PPVs will only be a couple and then they will have the poor buyrates as excuse to not do them any more.
OnlyTheStrongSurvive -NAKMEEZY - Bellator cannot give Eddie a percentage of PPV buys like the UFC can because they have NO PPV's.
This is just a BS attempt by Bjorn to make Eddie think they can match his offer if he sticks around. Nice try thoughI don't think he's trying to convince Eddie, he has to convince the court (or whatever official name it has)
it's really both...The court yes and also Eddie because in the end he is the one who has the final say.
the possibility of ppv percentages in the near future is clever to add to the bait.