UFC 205 is headlined by a huge champion vs. champion fight with Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor. All the details are here in our Bloody Elbow primer.
The main event of UFC 205 is a highly anticipated champion vs. champion fight as Featherweight champion Conor McGregor (20-3 MMA; 8-1 UFC) challenges Eddie Alvarez (28-4 MMA; 3-1 UFC) for Alvarez’s Lightweight title. The UFC rankings have McGregor at #4 on the pound-for-pound list with Alvarez just below him at #7. UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor airs live from Madison Square Garden in New York this Saturday, November 12. The special six fight main card airs on PPV with a fight time of 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT, with the prelims starting at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 and 6:30 p.m. ET on Fight Pass.
This is a historic, must-watch fight for a number of reasons. For only the second time in UFC history, a reigning champion will attempt to win a second title in a different division (B.J. Penn tried it against Georges St. Pierre, but came up short). It also is the first time the UFC will take place in the legendary Madison Square Garden, and it headlines one of the most stacked cards in UFC history – maybe even more than this year’s UFC 200. It’s a big fight.
How do these two stack up?
McGregor: 28 years old | 5’9″ | 74″ reach
Alvarez: 32 years old | 5’9″ | 69″ reach
What have these two done recently?
McGregor: W – Nate Diaz (UD) | L – Nate Diaz (Sub) | W – Jose Aldo (KO)
Alvarez: W – Rafael dos Anjos (KO) | W – Anthony Pettis (SD) | W – Gilbert Melendez (SD)
How did these two get here?
Conor McGregor comes in as one of the two most talked about MMA fighters in years. His run up to the Featherweight title was very impressive, and his lightning quick KO win over Jose Aldo to take that belt silenced many doubters. Those doubters came back to life when Nate Diaz tapped him out earlier this year, but McGregor avenged that loss in a terrific fight. The Featherweight champion hasn’t actually fought at that weight since wining the belt almost a year ago – if he wins here, it’s unclear if he will retain both belts or forfeit one.
Eddie Alvarez made his name outside of the UFC, first in Dream, then in Bellator. He was a much hyped signing for the UFC, but lost his debut to Donald Cerrone. Alvarez followed that up with two good, but close and contested wins, but then turned heads with his KO Lightweight title win over Rafael dos Anjos. Alvarez is known for being an aggressive brawler, but he’s become much more patient and technical, with his UFC fights showing more strategy than he showed earlier in his career. Alvarez may be at his peak right now and will try to keep his title run alive with this fight.
Why should you care?
Champ vs. champ. MSG. Two very exciting fighters. Great stylistic match-up. Do I need to keep going?