It’s confirmed that the long awaited rematch between current DREAM Lightweight Champion and Evolve Fight team member, Shinya Aoki will be facing former Bellator Lightweight Champion, Eddie Alvarez in April. The fight will be under the Bellator banner and will be a rematch of their last meeting in 2008. Shinya won their first encounter via heel hook in the first round.

Since the lost, Alvarez went on a 7 fight win streak and captured the Bellator Lightweight title in the process. Alvarez will be coming off a lost to Michael Chandler during which he lost his championship belt. Many regard that fight as 2011 fight of the year. Shinya has tasted nothing but success too since his fight with Alvarez, winning 11 out of his 13 fights and winning the DREAM title. Furthermore, Shinya’s standup game has been taken to a whole new level since he joined one of Asia’s top fight teams, Evolve Mixed Martial Arts.

The fight will definitely be more promising than their first encounter as both fighters have matured throughout the years and are at the peak of their careers.

For those who have never seen their first encounter: