Alvarez defeated Aaron Riley in December 2006 to win the MFC Welterweight Championship and lost it to Nick Thompson in April 2007. In June 2009 he defeated Toby Imada to win the Bellator Lightweight Championship and he lost it to Michael Chandler in November 2011 in the Fight of the Year. Alvarez won the Bellator Lightweight Championship from Michael Chandler in November 2013 and made his UFC debut losing to Donald Cerrone in September 2014. He won the UFC Lightweight Championship from Rafael dos Anjos in July 2016 to bring his record to 28-4. Alvarez is scheduled to defending his championship against Conor McGregor at UFC 2015 in November 2016.