Alvarez TKOs Dos Anjos in Round 1 to capture lightweight title

With one dramatic flurry, Eddie Alvarez put a stop to Rafael dos Anjos' run atop the lightweight division.

"The Silent Assassin" completed his 12-year journey from underground king to undisputed world champion when he finished Dos Anjos by first-round TKO on Thursday in the main event of UFC Fight Night 90 in Las Vegas.

Alvarez becomes the first former Bellator MMA champion to capture UFC gold. He couldn't have put on a more dominant performance after edging out wins over Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez in his previous two outings.

The fight had a typical start for Dos Anjos. He controlled the Octagon, stalking Alvarez and pawing at him with jabs. Even after Alvarez went after him with takedowns, the defending champion appeared to be in control.

Suddenly, a right hook from Alvarez left Dos Anjos struggling to find his bearings. Alvarez wasted no time coming forward with a violent combination of punches from every angle.

A stiff uppercut put Dos Anjos in serious jeopardy and Alvarez poured it on from there. Referee Herb Dean stepped in and saved Dos Anjos from any further punishment.

The win could not have been sweeter for Alvarez, who wasted months of his prime in a 2013 contract dispute with his former employer Bellator MMA. It seemed impossible that he would ever join the UFC, much less become a champion in its deepest division.

In his 32nd career fight, and just his fourth in the UFC, Alvarez becomes the organization's eighth champion at 155 pounds.

Dos Anjos' five-fight win streak came to a dramatic end in his second title defense. It was only the second knockout loss of his career, and his first since November 2008.