Eddie Alvarez reflected on facing Conor McGregor at Madison Square Garden and not having the fans in his favor at UFC 205.
Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez’s title reign came to a stunning end when a prime Conor McGregor finished him at UFC 205. It was arguably the most dominant performance of McGregor’s career as he put on a striking clinic and dropped Alvarez multiple times to the canvas.
Alvarez has some regrets regarding how he handled the UFC 205 fight week and the champion vs. champion clash against McGregor. The Philadelphian believed he would be the preferred side at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, despite McGregor being at the peak of his power.
Looking back on UFC 205 years after the event, Alvarez felt miserable despite fighting just hours from his hometown.
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Eddie Alvarez reflects on ‘hate’ associated with Conor McGregor defeat
In a recent interview with MMA Fighting‘s Damon Martin, Alvarez reflected on his UFC 205 clash with McGregor.
“There’s been one time and everybody knows the Conor fight where I went into somewhat near my hometown and I didn’t show up,” Alvarez said. “That was probably the one time that really shocked even myself. Because throughout my entire career, home or anywhere nearby, whenever that spotlight’s on me and whenever the stakes are big, that’s when I show up big.
“Look, I got my shot at Madison Square Garden. I hated the way I performed. I hated everything about it. But there’s only one stadium better than Madison Square Garden and that’s the Well Fargo in Philadelphia.” (h/t MMA Fighting)
Alvarez will return to Bare Knuckle FC against former UFC featherweight star, Jeremy Stephens, later this month in Philadelphia. It’s Alvarez’s first time fighting in his hometown since a knockout win over Roger Huerta at Bellator 33.
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Eddie Alvarez returns to Philadelphia for potential retirement fight
McGregor’s win over Alvarez at UFC 205 made him the UFC’s first-ever simultaneous two-division champion. He earned the featherweight belt by knocking out José Aldo at UFC 194, before vacating it shortly after winning the lightweight title.
Alvarez went on to have an up-and-down end to his UFC tenure after the McGregor loss, including two grueling fights with Dustin Poirier. Earlier in his UFC career, Alvarez won the UFC lightweight title over Rafael dos Anjos, and defeated the likes of Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez.
Alvarez has the opportunity for a storybook ending to his fighting career in Philadelphia later this month. This time around, under an immense spotlight, Alvarez wants to handle things the right way and seize the moment in front of the hometown crowd.