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Rafael dos Anjos becomes latest UFC champion to lose belt in 2016

Another champion was crowned in the UFC this year.

With Rafael dos Anjos losing the lightweight belt to Eddie Alvarez on Thursday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, six out of the 10 UFC divisions have had multiple titleholders in the past eight months.

In the last three months alone, Michael Bisping (middleweight), Stipe Miocic (heavyweight) and Alvarez have pulled upset victories to become first-time UFC champions. Miesha Tate took down Holly Holm, who defeated the mighty Ronda Rousey, to win the women’s bantamweight crown in March.

Dominick Cruz regained his bantamweight strap by defeating TJ Dillashaw in January, and Conor McGregor knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds back in December to win the featherweight title.

“I came here in the best shape of my life. I have to give all the credit to Eddie, who did a great job,” dos Anjos said. “That’s the fight game, it happens. I won 10 of my last 11 but Eddie did a great job. I think I just got caught.”

Anything can happen in the UFC. Dos Anjos was regarded as one of the top five best pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC, but it took only one vicious counter right hand from Alvarez to wipe away the Brazilian’s recent accomplishments.

“When I got caught, my hand was up, I had good form,” dos Anjos said. “It just happened.”

Alvarez’s power shot made dos Anjos’ knee buckle and the Philadelphia native didn’t hesitate to go for the finish. Alvarez unloaded a flurry of punches, including a flying knee, to force the referee to end the fight midway through the opening round.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk, the women’s strawweight titleholder, will look to avoid making the list of former champions to lose the belt in 2016 when she faces Claudia Gadelha tonight. Light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier won’t have to worry about that when he faces Anderson Silva in a non-title bout at UFC 200 on Saturday.

Demetrious Johnson is the longest reigning champion, holding the belt since 2012 with eight flyweight defenses. Robbie Lawler has been the welterweight top dog since 2014.

Johnson and Lawler put their titles on the line later this month at UFC 201.

Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow him on Twitter: @gmanzano24

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