Rafael dos Anjos to defend his title against Eddie Alvarez on UFC Fight Pass
Lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos will step back into the Octagon as part of the upcoming UFC Fight Pass card on July 7, when he faces Eddie Alvarez in Las Vegas.
This is the third card headed to Las Vegas as part of International Fight Week, all culminating at UFC 200 on Saturday night with Conor McGregor taking on Nate Diaz in the main event.
BREAKING: UFC 155lbs title is on the line ONLY on #UFCFIGHTPASS, Thursday, July 7 @RdosAnjosMMA vs @Ealvarezfight! pic.twitter.com/BwxI5T2vat
— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) April 15, 2016
This will mark only the second time a title has been decided on UFC Fight Pass, which is the UFC's digital streaming service online. Joanna Jedrzejczyk made the first defense of her belt against Jessica Penne on UFC Fight Pass in 2015.
For dos Anjos this is a return to action after a broken foot sidelined him from competing against McGregor at UFC 196 in March.
The lightweight champion last defended his title in December 2015 when he made short work of Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone at FOX UFC Fight Night in Orlando.
Alvarez has accepted the bout following the biggest win of his UFC career, when he defeated former champion Anthony Pettis by split decision. That victory, coupled with his win over Gilbert Melendez by split decision, was enough for matchmakers to give Alvarez the next shot at the belt.
The fight between dos Anjos and Alvarez is now set as the main event for the show in Las Vegas taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Thursday night.
"The Ultimate Fighter" 23 finale will be Friday, with Jedrzejczyk taking on Claudia Gadelha in the main event on that card just 24 hours out from UFC 200 on Saturday night.
