Justin Gaethje vs. Eddie Alvarez set for UFC 218

Lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez will fight at UFC 218 in Detroit.

Having served as head coaches on season 26 of The Ultimate Fighter, exciting lightweight title contenders Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez will square off inside the Octagon at UFC 218 on December 2nd. Following a report from BJPenn.com, MMA Fighting confirmed with its sources that this highly-anticipated clash is set for the newly-built Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Gaethje (18-0) is the former World Series of Fighting lightweight titleholder who is coming off a memorable UFC debut. In an epic, back-and-forth main event battle at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale in July, Gaethje won by second-round TKO over Michael Johnson in one of the strongest contenders for 2017’s “Fight of the Year.” The 28-year-old Gaethje has only gone the distance twice in his 18-fight career.

Alvarez (28-5, 1 NC) captured the UFC 155-pound title in July 2016, when he stopped Rafael dos Anjos in the opening round, but his reign as champion ended at the hands of Conor McGregor a mere four months later. In his first fight after losing his belt, Alvarez fought to a no-contest at UFC 211 against Dustin Poirier, who was unable to continue after Eddie landed illegal knees to Poirier’s head while he was a downed opponent.

UFC 218 is headlined by a featherweight championship fight between Max Holloway and ex-lightweight champ Frankie Edgar. In case you’re wondering, The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale will take place in Las Vegas on Friday, December 1st.

Lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez will fight at UFC 218 in Detroit.

Having served as head coaches on season 26 of The Ultimate Fighter, exciting lightweight title contenders Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez will square off inside the Octagon at UFC 218 on December 2nd. Following a report from BJPenn.com, MMA Fighting confirmed with its sources that this highly-anticipated clash is set for the newly-built Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Gaethje (18-0) is the former World Series of Fighting lightweight titleholder who is coming off a memorable UFC debut. In an epic, back-and-forth main event battle at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale in July, Gaethje won by second-round TKO over Michael Johnson in one of the strongest contenders for 2017’s “Fight of the Year.” The 28-year-old Gaethje has only gone the distance twice in his 18-fight career.

Alvarez (28-5, 1 NC) captured the UFC 155-pound title in July 2016, when he stopped Rafael dos Anjos in the opening round, but his reign as champion ended at the hands of Conor McGregor a mere four months later. In his first fight after losing his belt, Alvarez fought to a no-contest at UFC 211 against Dustin Poirier, who was unable to continue after Eddie landed illegal knees to Poirier’s head while he was a downed opponent.

UFC 218 is headlined by a featherweight championship fight between Max Holloway and ex-lightweight champ Frankie Edgar. In case you’re wondering, The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale will take place in Las Vegas on Friday, December 1st.