After dropping a decision to underrated Russian Damir Ismagulov in his promotional debut, Alvarez rattled off four straight wins, including a submission finish of Joseph Duffy and a TKO stoppage win over Thiago Moises, setting up a showdown with fellow ascending lightweight prospect Arman Tsarukyan. He landed on the wrong side of the results that night — as just about everyone has against Tsarukyan — but quickly got back to his winning ways. He followed the setback with a submission win over Marc Diakiese before stopping Elves Brener and Drakkar Klose with strikes.

In all, Alvarez went 7-2 as a UFC lightweight, maintaining his 100-percent finishing rate while holding permanent residence on the doorstep of the Top 15. It was never skill or success that kept him from breaking into the rankings, but largely limited activity, and with this move to welterweight and initial pairing with Luque on Saturday, he has the opportunity to move into that same position in his new surroundings this weekend.

UFC RIO: Fight By Fight Preview | Rise Of Vicente Luque

“I think this is a new chapter in my life; it’s almost a new career to start at 170,” Alvarez said of his divisional debut. “(Luque) is a fighter I like — I consider myself a fan of his — and a guy I like watching, plus he’s a finisher like me. It’s the style of fight that really excites me, and why not do it in an arena in Rio well?

“I think he’s a natural Top 10 (fighter). Regardless of if he’s up there ranked, I see him as Top 10, and when you beat a guy like that, that’s where I’m gonna consider myself — Top 10 level and someone that should be there as well.