Anthony Pettis can relate to what Eddie Alvarez is going through, because he once had to make the same climb.
Like Alvarez, Pettis entered the UFC as the champion of another major promotion with a point to prove that he belonged. Like Alvarez, Pettis lost his immediate title shot due to outside circumstances, then dropped his first Octagon appearance as well, before picking up the pieces with a much-needed split decision win.
The rest remains to be seen. Pettis carried his momentum into a five-fight win streak that culminated with UFC gold.