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LAS VEGAS (AP) — Eddie Alvarez won the UFC lightweight title on Thursday night, stopping Rafael Dos Anjos in the first round with a blistering series of strikes.
Alvarez (28-4) needed just 3:49 to finish an impressive upset of Dos Anjos (24-8), the Brazilian champion with a five-fight winning streak. Alvarez 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.
Alvarez won the belt in just his fourth fight with the UFC, which signed him in 2014 after his protracted departure from the Bellator promotion. Alvarez was trounced by Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in his first bout, but the Philadelphia-based fighter recovered with split-decision wins over Gilbert Melendez and Pettis to get a title shot.
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