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 top contender McGregor finished him at UFC 205. It was perhaps the most dominant performance of McGregor's career as he put on a striking clinic and left Alvarez on the canvas multiple times traps.
Alvarez has some regrets about the way he handled the UFC 205 fight week and the champion-champ clash against McGregor. The Philadelphian believed he would be the team of choice at Madison Square Garden in New York City, despite McGregor being at the height of his power.
Looking back at UFC 205 years after the event, Alvarez was miserable despite fighting just hours from his hometown.
Photo by Mike Stobe/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Eddie Alvarez reflects on the 'hate' surrounding Conor McGregor's defeat
In a recent interview with MMA Fighting's Damon Martin, Alvarez reflected on his UFC 205 clash with McGregor.
“There was one time and everyone knows the Conor fight that I was involved in somewhere near my hometown and I didn't show up,” Alvarez said. “That was probably the only time even I was really shocked. Because throughout my career, at home or anywhere else, when the spotlight is on me and when the stakes are high, I show up big.
“Look, I got my chance at Madison Square Garden. I hated the way I performed. I hated everything about it. But there is only one stadium better than Madison Square Garden and that is Well Fargo in Philadelphia.” (h/t MMA Fights)
Alvarez returns to Bare Knuckle FC against former UFC featherweight star Jeremy Stephens later this month in Philadelphia. It will be Alvarez's first time fighting in his hometown since a knockout win over Roger Huerta at Bellator 33.
Eddie Alvarez returns to Philadelphia for a possible retirement fight
McGregor's win over Alvarez at UFC 205 made him the UFC's first-ever simultaneous dual-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 had an up and down end to his UFC tenure after losing to McGregor, including two grueling fights with Dustin Poirier. Earlier in his UFC career, Alvarez won the UFC lightweight title from Rafael dos Anjos, defeating the likes of Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez.
Alvarez has the opportunity to write a storybook about his fighting career in Philadelphia later this month. This time, under a huge spotlight, Alvarez wants to do things the right way and seize the moment in front of his hometown crowd.
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