This is the Bellator live blog for Eddie Alvarez vs. Pat Curran, the main event of tonight's Bellator 39 event at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.Alvarez (21-2) was supposed to defend his title against Curran (13-3) last fall but Curran had to bow out due to shoulder injury. Curran earned the championship shot by beating Mike Ricci, Roger Huerta and Toby Imada to become the season two Bellator lightweight tournament winner.
The live blog is below.
More Coverage: Bellator 39 Results
Round 1: They quickly touch gloves. Alvarez lands a leg kick. Alvarez connects on body shots. The orthodox Alvarez snaps out a lead right punch. Alvarez is the aggressor, quick on his feet and working different punch combos. Curran is in the middle of the cage and appears to be looking for a counter right. Curran lands a leg kick. Alvarez tries a single-leg takedown and Curran defends. Alvarez catches a kick and charges Curran against the cage, but is unable to finish the takedown. They separate with a little over half a minute to go. Curran throws a kick to the body. Nice right hand by Curran to end the round. 10-9 Alvarez.
Round 2: Alvarez bouncing around to the left and right, as he tries to sneak in single shots. Alvarez stalks Curran with jabs while looking for an opening to land a big right hand. Alvarez clinches with Curran against the cage. Alvarez eyes a takedown and settles for trading knees to the thigh. Alvarez lands a punch to the body and clinches. Alvarez attempts the trip but Curran defends with a left arm overhook. They separate with 1:44 to go. Curran lands a leg kick. Alvarez connects on wide open body punches. Alvarez presses Curran against the cage and separates with 56 seconds to go. Alvarez lands a leg kick and targets the body with punches. Alvarez looks for a takedown and gets hit with a flying knee. Alvarez is fine, though. 10-9 Alvarez.
Round 3: Alvarez paws out jabs and lands to the body. Curran tries to counter with another knee, but doesn't get it this time. Nice jab by Curran snaps Alvarez's head back. Alvarez is continuing his frenetic pace. Curran lands two consecutive leg kicks. Alvarez throws power shots is finding a home for his uppercuts. Alvarez shoots and once again Curran defends. Alvarez is doing a great job with punches to the body. More punches to the body. Finally, Alvarez finishes the takedown with a minute left in the round. However, Curran is back up in clinch after 15 seconds on his back. They separate and Alvarez lands more to the body. Alvarez is simply outworking Curran. 10-9 Alvarez.
Round 4: Alvarez presses Curran against the cage. Nice escape by Curran who exits clinch with a right elbow. Good head movement by Alvarez as he continues to score points with punches to the body. Curran with a knee to the body and they briefly tie up. Blood is pouring out of Curran's nose. Great movement by Alvarez. He's tagging Curran with jabs and leg kicks.Curran with a left hook and Alvarez counters. Alvarez scores a takedown with 12 seconds left. Round four ends with Alvarez sitting in Curran's halfguard and raining down punches. Not sure what Curran's gameplan is. He's getting outworked and clearly down four rounds. 10-9 Alvarez.
Round 5: Alvarez grabs Curran's lead leg but is unable to hold Curran down. Alvarez lands punches to the body. Curran pops out jabs but other than that he's not showing any signs of wanting to finish the fight. In the final round, Alvarez continues to be light on his feet and throwing a variety of punches. Alvarez misses on a flying knee but lands a left hook. Alvarez winds up and lands a right uppercut. Curran connects on jabs. Alvarez jumps up to set up a takedown. It's Curran who takes down Alvarez. Alvarez scrambles to his feet. 10-9 Alvarez.
Eddie Alvarez def. Pat Curran via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
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