LAS VEGAS (AP) – Eddie Alvarez persevered through financial troubles, promotional disputes and a loss in his UFC debut to get back to the cage with a title shot.
And then he beat Rafael Dos Anjos with a fire that’s been growing for years.
Alvarez won the UFC lightweight belt Thursday night, stopping Dos Anjos in the first round with a blistering series of strikes.
Alvarez (28-4) needed just 3:49 to finish Dos Anjos (24-8), the Brazilian champion with a five-fight winning streak. The Philadelphia-based contender initially caught Dos Anjos with a damaging right hand, but had to unload dozens of strikes on the still-standing Dos Anjos until finally getting a stoppage.
Eddie is no Rocky-style underdog, but he’ll get his fight-crazed city’s attention with a moment that validated his lengthy quest.