Skies the limit for the former Bellator champion these days in the UFC. Eddie Alvarez lost his octagon debut at UFC 178 back in 2014 against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

Alvarez rallied after the loss producing two straight wins against former Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez and former UFC champion Anthony Pettis both via split decision.

Alvarez talks with Sherdog’s radio show ‘Beatdown’:

“Nobody’s making that kind of money these days where they’re able to sit back and retire. That’s crazy talk. Especially with four kids, the money I’m getting from Reebok pays for a Costco order,” said Alvarez, who makes $2,500 based on his tenure in Reebok’s tiered payment system. “There’s no retirement going on anytime soon. I invest my money as good as I can. But the possibility of working again is a reality. It’s a reality for any one of these fighters.”

Alvarez is a realist, but the reality of his goal to be a UFC champion is in reach and the contract negotiations under the title of “champion” hold more value at the negotiating table as well as Reebok dollars going up as champ.