Last Updated : 8th November, 2016 By Alex M

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UFC 205: Conor McGregor V Eddie Alvarez Preview

Conor McGregor is looking to make history on what will already be a historic night for the UFC. The company have their first event in the New York state area in 21 years after a mixed martial arts ban was lifted in the Big Apple and they will don the world famous Madison Square Garden for the first time ever. The UFC have been in the state back in 1995 for UFC 7 in Buffalo, but never in New York City. So what a setting for Conor McGregor to attempt to become the first man in history to be a two-weight champion in the UFC. He is already the UFC featherweight champion, but the main event of UFC 205 sees the Irishman attempt to add the UFC lightweight strap to his impressive CV.

The Notorious One

Conor McGregor sure talks a good game. But, perhaps the most impressive thing about the whole Notorious persona - which at times feels like an MMA version of Floyd Mayweather - is the fact that he walks the walk, too. No one can deny the fearsome punching power that Mystic Mac possesses and furthermore, how much progress he has made on his takedown defence, especially during his two colossal battles with Nate Diaz. His 13 second knockout of Jose Aldo to win the featherweight title did plenty to encourage the already elaborate aura that followed the gregarious Irishman, but his initial loss to Nate Diaz should have shown people he can be beaten. Anyone can be caught in a submission in the octagon, and there are no exceptions. Remember, only two of McGregor's nine UFC bouts have ever gone the distance and he is a fighter that looks for the kill rather than play a tactical game. His conditioning has been suspect before, but even against Diaz, he landed plenty of heavy, heavy shots. The question is, can Alvarez withstand those same shots?

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Eddie's time

What has Eddie Alvarez got to lose here? McGregor is the major box office star and the majority of people as a default will believe he is the favourite to win. Believe us when we say it is not as easy as that; Alvarez has fought hard to get here and his first round knockout victory over Rafael Dos Anjos isn't something many fancied Conor McGregor to do when they were originally scheduled to meet. Speaking of that once arranged clash, this is effectively the same bout in a different incarnation. The goal is still the same for McGregor like it was against RDA - he wants that lightweight strap to add to his collection and become the first two-weight UFC champion ever. He did the same triumph with the Cage Warriors promotion, but Alvarez is a difficult proposition. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native is a respected amateur wrestler which McGregor doesn't typically enjoy and he packs a mean punch too, so he will give Conor plenty to think about. Plus, he is fighting at a more natural weight as opposed to McGregor, so chances are he will absord shots better and, more importantly, deliver harder ones.

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FREEbets.org.uk Prediction

It truly is a tough one to call, but for all the brovado and promotional talk McGregor gets through, he truly is one of the most formidable stand-up strikers in the business. Not many men can stand toe-to-toe with him and survive, and as tough as Alvarez has proven to be in the past, he'll need to be smart like he was against Anthony Pettis to frustrate and subdue McGregor. The liklihood is, though, that Mystic Mac will counter Alvarez's advances and pick him off for the win.

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