Anthony Pettis faces Eddie Alvarez on the same day as Dillashaw vs. Cruz

Pettis (left) and Alvarez (right) duel in Boston, in January. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS Production (UFC/Bellator)

After losing the lightweight belt to Rafael dos Anjos, in March of this year, and struggling with old injuries that prevented him from fighting, the former champion Anthony Pettis will return to the Octagon on January 17, 2016. Pettis' opponent will be former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez.

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The duel between Pettis and Alvarez will be held at the UFC edition in Boston, which has already been announced as the stage for the bantamweight belt fight between the champion TJ Dillashaw and the challenger, and former champion, Dominick Cruz. The event will mark the first time in history that a title fight will be broadcast in the United States on Ultimate's partner cable channel, FOX Sports 1.

Anthony Pettis has a professional record of 18 wins and three losses. Former champion of the extinct WEC and UFC, Pettis is coming off a defeat to Rafael dos Anjos, but before the setback he had won five consecutive victories, including two title fights, against Ben henderson and Gilbert Melendez.

Eddie Alvarez, 31 years old, has a record of 26 wins and four losses. After spending a long period in litigation with Bellator, the former champion of the rival organization finally debuted in the octagon in September last year with a defeat to Donald Cerrone. Alavarez, however, bounced back in June when he beat Gilbert Melendez in Mexico.