Eddie Alvarez stops Rafael dos Anjos to win UFC lightweight title
By Allan Valente
Last Updated: 08/07/16 9:40am
Eddie Alvarez is the new UFC lightweight champion after stopping former title holder Rafael dos Anjos in the first round.
The 32-year-old ended the fight with a blistering series of strikes less than four minutes into the bout at UFC Fight Night 90 in Las Vegas.
Brazilian Dos Anjos (24-8) had been on a five-fight winning streak but succumbed to an upset at the hands of Alvarez (28-4), who won the belt in just his fourth fight with the UFC after signing with the promotion in 2014.
Alvarez initially caught Dos Anjos with a damaging right hand, but had to unload dozens of strikes on the still-standing 31-year-old until finally getting a stoppage.
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The Philadelphia-based fighter was trounced by Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in his first bout but recovered with split-decision wins over Gilbert Melendez and Pettis to get a title shot.
In the heavyweight co-main event, Derrick Lewis earned a split decision victory over Roy Nelson.
Lewis peppered Nelson with strikes in the opening round but was taken down six times over the course of the fight.
However, Lewis landed a giant right hand in the last round, eventually getting the nod via split decision for his fourth straight win.
