Eddie Alvarez (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Eddie Alvarez believes he’s going to take the UFC’s lightweight crown on Thursday night, but don’t expect to hear the rugged vet insult the current champ, Rafael dos Anjos.

The two will battle in the headliner of UFC Fight Night 90, which will take place July 7th, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unlike RDA’s previous scheduled opponent, Conor McGregor, Alvarez has had many positive things to say about the Brazilian star. Case in point, recently Alvarez told UFC.com the following:

“It takes a special person to get that UFC title,” Alvarez said. “Not just anyone can win that. It takes a special person to be the number one guy in the division and go out there and perform at a top level the way he has. And I have a great respect for the guy. Not only what he does inside the cage, but he’s a father outside and a man of God and I respect the life that he lives, and not just how he fights…

“So I have a lot of respect for the guy, I understand his strengths and how dangerous he can be, and I’m not ignorant to that. But I think, more than anything, I focused on my strengths and what I’m capable of, and I know, at the end of the day, I have the weapons and the strength and what it takes to beat anyone in this division and stay on top for a long time. This is the beginning of my time and the end of his.”

Dos Anjos was booked to fight McGregor in March, but broke his foot during training and had to withdraw. In his last outing, in December, RDA took out Donald Cerrone in the opening round.

Alvarez, on the other hand, has decisioned Gilbert Melendez and Anthony Pettis, following a UD loss to Cerrone.