Donald Cerrone Ruins Eddie Alvarez's UFC Debut

Eddie Alvarez's long awaited UFC debut didn't go as planned thanks to Donald Cerrone. After a slow start in the first round, where Alvarez landed serious leather in the clinch, Cerrone found his groove after repeated leg shots.

"It's just the way I am," said Cerrone post-fight. "I can't figure it out [on why he starts slow]. I'm cursed. If you're going to beat me, try to beat me in the first."

After the first round, Cerrone started to pick apart Alvarez. As the third round was coming to a close, Alvarez couldn't even stand and his leg began to swell as he collapsed to the Octagon canvas.

The win is the fifth in a row for Cerrone and he improves to 25-6. Of those five wins, this is the first one that needed the judges. All three judges scored the fight 29-28 for "Cowboy."

Alvarez was supposed to join the UFC almost two years ago, but a contract dispute with Bellator held up the process. The former Bellator lightweight champion is 25-4 and suffered his first defeat via decision from Cerrone.

"I think that was the best Eddie," said Cerrone. "He came and brought it, my hat's off to him."

The two were the co-main event of UFC 178. For complete results from the card, please click here.