Quote: Conor McGregor Will KO Eddie Alvarez In Two Rounds
UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor got back on track at UFC 202. Following the first loss of his career in the UFC against Nate Diaz on March 5, the Irish star got revenge in the form of a majority decision win. Although not everyone agreed with the judges scorecards, the victory reopened many doors that had temporarily swung sh after UFC 196. Suddenly talks of title shots in different weight classes started over. All this time the 145-pound division has waited, albeit impatiently, for McGregor’s return.
Jose Aldo kept featherweight active by winning the interim title against Frankie Edgar at UFC 200. Sill the absence of McGregor was somewhat acceptable in anticipation of just one more fight with Diaz. After lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez called for the victor of UFC 202’s main event, the money fight was once again away from featherweight. Although it’s not official yet, UFC president Dana White revealed it was an option for ‘The Notorious.”
Moneyweight
The UFC’s newest weight category of moneyweight is officially here. For the top contenders or interim champs of each division, this is perhaps not great news. In terms of McGregor vs. Alvarez, it’s an awesome stylistic pairing, yet disappointing for the more purist fans of the ‘sport’ aspect in mixed martial arts. Speaking during his column for the42.ie, Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh says it’s not a fight they want because of trying to avoid 145:
“From a personal point of view, my own preference would be a lightweight title bout against reigning champion Eddie Alvarez next. Conor can make 145lbs to defend his featherweight belt, absolutely, but I just think 155lbs suits him best. Ultimately that’s Conor’s decision, not mine.”
Prediction
“That being said, I would see it as a much more straightforward challenge than Diaz. If you look at Alvarez’s fight against Anthony Pettis, which is a good reference point stylistically, he won by split decision but I think he was quite fortunate. Luck was definitely on his side.
Over the course of your career, some tight decisions will go for you, others will go against you, but generally they even themselves out. While Pettis has good kicks, he doesn’t have Conor’s hands. I’d expect Alvarez to run into those hands quite often in the first couple of rounds. If and when that fight is announced, I would be leaning towards a second-round knockout in Conor’s favour.”
It’s certainly a bold prediction by McGregor’s long-time coach. After his performance at UFC 202, do you think it’s one that could come true? Alvarez is definitely up for the fight, as is Dana White, and money talks to McGregor. Let’s wait and see how this whole thing plays out.
