UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos shocked the world when he dominated Anthony Pettis for five rounds in claiming the title.
When dos Anjos successfully defended the belt vs. Donald Cerrone late last year, he cemented his status as the top 155-pound fighter in the world.
Dos Anjos looks to defend his belt once more next week when he meets Eddie Alvarez in the main event of UFC Fight Night 90. The entire card streams live on UFC Fight Pass.
“I have more weapons,” dos Anjos said. “I can beat him standing. I am a better ground fighter too.”
Alvarez is a former Bellator champion who dropped his Octagon debut to Donald Cerrone. Since, though, he has scored decisions over Gilbert Melendez and Pettis, but has not gone five rounds over the last three years.
“I think this fight against Eddie Alvarez will be very important,” he said. “It is a championship fight, five rounds.
“I’m an aggressive fighter that is always looking to the finish. Alvarez is an aggressive fighter who likes to walk forward. He has been in five-round wars before, but not on the UFC-level.”
Dos Anjos carries a five-fight win streak into the bout, as he has also defeated Nate Diaz, Benson Henderson and Jason High since a 2014 loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov.