Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight rivals Eddie Alvarez and Conor McGregor will clash TONIGHT (Nov. 12, 2016) at UFC 205 inside Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
While his opponent is accustomed to having the eyes of the mainstream upon him, this is a new experience for Alvarez. This is the "Underground King’s" opportunity to step into the limelight, but he’ll have to defeat an ultra-tough competitor to do so. Meanwhile, McGregor has the chance to make history. Never before in UFC history have two belts been held by the same person simultaneously, and McGregor has a fair chance of accomplishing that here.
Let’s take a look at the keys to victory for both men:
Eddie Alvarez
Record: 28-4
Key Wins: Rafael dos Anjos (UFC Fight Night 90), Anthony Pettis (UFC Fight Night 81), Michael Chandler (Bellator 106), Gilbert Melendez (UFC 188), Shinya Aoki (Bellator 66)
Key Losses: Donald Cerrone (UFC 178), Michael Chandler (Bellator 58)
Keys to Victory: There’s a reason why Alvarez has suffered just four losses in his 13 year professional career. Alvarez is as tough as they come, and he’s equally well equipped for a stand up war or a grinding wrestling match.
In this bout, a blend of both will be necessary to succeed. If Alvarez goes out there with the sole intention of brawling, that’s a war that either man could win, but it’s hard not to favor McGregor’s left hand. Similarly, Alvarez could succeed just by grinding for shots, but he could also gas out and get overwhelmed.
On the feet, Alvarez’s low kick should be a very big weapon. As he’s proved in his last three fights, it’s a dangerous tool, one perfect to attack McGregor’s wide stance. Additionally, it will discourage McGregor from planting his feet to counter, which makes checking the kick difficult.
Besides that, Alvarez needs to keep up his lateral movement — which will help him avoid hard strikes — while waiting for an opportunity to drive McGregor backwards. Alvarez is smart with his boxing; he knows how to use combinations to push McGregor into the fence when McGregor gets a bit too close.
On that note, the following video explains how Alvarez’s dart can be an effective weapon opposite the Southpaw.
Once there, Alvarez’s grinding wrestling should be quite effective. Even if he’s unable to land the early takedown, it will wear his opponent out and benefit him in later rounds.
VS.
Conor McGregor
Record: 20-3
Key Wins: Jose Aldo (UFC 194), Nate Diaz (UFC 202), Chad Mendes (UFC 189), Dustin Poirier (UFC 178)
Key Losses: Nate Diaz (UFC 196)
Keys to Victory: McGregor is one of the most powerful punchers to ever fight at Featherweight or Lightweight. He’s also a fantastic boxer with some nasty kicks, which has proven to be a winning recipe for the Irishman.
Since McGregor needs to keep his back off the wall, he has every reason to pressure Alvarez and put him there. Alvarez may be one of the more skilled fighters at working from the outside and avoiding being trapped, but McGregor’s range and diversity of strikes should help him overcome that issue.
Though McGregor will have to be careful with his kicks in fear of being put on his back, the front snap kick will be an important tool for him, much like it was opposite Chad Mendes. I analyzed that kick in a bit more depth in the video below.
Aside from the snap kick, McGregor would be wise to counter Alvarez. Alvarez can get a bit wild with his punches, especially when he’s being pressured. Considering McGregor’s incredible accuracy and power with his counter left hand, that blow could easily end the bout.
Bottom Line: It’s the main event of the biggest card in UFC history, and it’s a hugely intriguing clash of styles.
Of the two men, Alvarez’s abilities are more understood. There isn’t a major hole to his game, and he’s been successful for a very long time because of it. On the other hand, there are still plenty of questions surrounding McGregor’s ground game and conditioning, particularly since switching weight classes throws off everything we thought we knew.
For Alvarez, the chance to defend his crown at Madison Square Garden on such a massive event has to be a dream come true. With a victory, Alvarez cements his name in history. A loss, meanwhile, strips Alvarez of the title he’s worked so diligently to attain.
The stakes are similarly high for McGregor, whose dream of holding two straps simultaneously will be decided. McGregor has already achieved some impressive things, but holding both belts over his head tonight will cement him as a truly legendary fighter. On the other hand, McGregor’s path moving forward is far less clear with a loss. There are strong rumors that the Irishman has no intention of dropping back down to 145 pounds even with a loss, but that could change if it actually happens. If not, McGregor will find no easy fights against the elite athletes of the Lightweight division.
At UFC 205, Eddie Alvarez and Conor McGregor will go to war over the Lightweight belt. Which man will have his hand raised at the end of this historic night?