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The saga continues....

http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/01/e ... r-view-cut

If Eddie Alvarez frees himself from Bellator, he stands not only to become an immediate UFC lightweight title challenger but also to profit handsomely from pay-per-view sales.

But if he stays with Bellator, the 28-year-old fighter won't be in the poorhouse, either.

A UFC contract offers Alvarez an immediate title shot in March and a cut of the promotion's pay-per-view profits, according to an exhibit in a lawsuit Bellator MMA filed against the 28-year-old fighter, a copy of which today was obtained by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

An eight-fight deal starts Alvarez at $70,000 to show and $70,000 to win and raises in $5,000 increments with each win until it tops out at a guaranteed $205,000 for a win, the exhibit states. Alvarez is also guaranteed a $250,000 signing bonus, payable in two installments of $85,000 and one of $80,000.

When Alvarez fights on a UFC pay-per-view broadcast, the offer entitles him to $1 for each "buy" between 200,000 and 400,000 buys, $2 per buy between 400,000 and 600,000 buys, and $2.50 per buy over 600,000 buys.

Additionally, Alvarez is guaranteed a fight on a UFC on FOX card and three appearances as a commentator at UFC-branded events.

The exhibit confirms a previous claim from Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney that his promotion merely changed window dressings on the UFC's offer. Mentions of UFC parent company Zuffa are simply crossed out and replaced with Bellator.

It also shows Bellator offered three additional bonuses to Alvarez when Bellator decided to match the UFC's offer. Included was a $25,000 payout for participating in a behind-the-scenes show filmed by Bellator broadcast partner Spike TV, a $100,000 payout for a head coach position on the second season of Bellator's reality show, and a guest host spot on Spike TV's "Road to the Championship" program.

And Alvarez stood to receive a $250,000 signing bonus upon re-upping with Bellator.

The deals are the same – on paper. But Bellator and Alvarez disagree on their value, and they've taken their cases to the court of public opinion.

Before they did that, though, they sued each other.

Timeline

Oct. 12, 2012: Alvarez knocks out Patricky "Pitbull" Freire at Bellator 76, which, according to the promotion, falls on or about the day his exclusive, 90-day negotiating period begins. Alvarez and Rebney meet afterward to discuss a possible new contract; Alvarez agrees to meet with Viacom execs to discuss details.

Nov. 1, 2012: Bellator notifies Alvarez that it has waived the fighter's exclusive negotiating period, which allows him to field a new offer solely from the UFC within the 90-day period.

Nov. 14, 2012: The UFC notifies Alvarez of a $250,000 signing bonus, payable in three installments, to be guaranteed upon signing a new promotional agreement.

Nov. 28, 2012: Alvarez attorney Neil Tabachnick forwards a UFC promotional agreement to Bellator and reminds the promotion it has 14 days to match the deal.

Dec. 11, 2012: Bellator and Spike TV formally announce a new broadcast deal. During a media conference call, Rebney says the promotion doesn't have "definitive plans to do a pay-per-view."

Dec. 13, 2012: Bellator sends Alvarez's attorney two versions of its matching offer, which includes a signing bonus and three additional ancillary opportunities for the fighter, who is asked to sign the deal.

Dec. 14, 2012: Alvarez's lawyer calls Bellator and asks for assurances that the fighter's next bout will be on PPV.

Dec. 16, 2012: Tabachnick notifies Bellator that it has failed to match Zuffa's offer in several "material and meaningful respects" and claims the fighter is free to sign with the promotion on Dec. 19.

Dec. 18, 2012: In an email to Tabachnick, Bellator argues that it has matched Zuffa's offer and threatens legal action if Alvarez doesn't sign.

Dec. 31, 2012: Bellator files suit against Alvarez in New Jersey federal court while alleging breach of contract and tortuous interference from five unnamed parties. (The complaint is logged on Jan. 3, 2013.)

Jan. 4, 2013: Alvarez files suit against Bellator in New Jersey state court and asks for declaratory relief and an injunction against the promoter.

Jan. 7, 2013: Alvarez reveals to MMAFighting.com Bellator ia suing him, after which Rebney gives multiple interviews in which he reveals several terms of the Zuffa contract Bellator claims it matched.


http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/01/h ... g-lawsuits