Last night, in the main event of UFC 205, Eddie Alvarez sought to defend the UFC lightweight title against reigning featherweight champion Conor McGregor. Unfortunately for Alvarez in his fans, McGregor came out on top in the biggest way possible, scoring a beautiful second round knockout, and becoming the first UFC fighter to hold two titles in two divisions simultaneously as a result.
In the wake of McGregor’s historic win, a crestfallen Alvarez bravely spoke with the media to address where the fight went wrong for him.
When asked if he was surprised by McGregor’s famous power, Alvarez explained that he was really more caught off guard by his foe’s speed.
“It was more speed,” he said. “The first time I was dropped I remember being on my butt and being like ‘wow, that was quick. Whatever that was, it was fast.’ But I’ve been there a lot of times in my career, where I’ve been dropped. I don’t panic, I pretty much get my composure and I get back up. But his speed and timing were very good. You could tell he’s got years of boxing behind him.”
The former champ was also asked why he didn’t rely more on his proven wrestling skill – especially considering McGregor’s perceived deficits in the grappling department.
“I’m not quite sure, and it was foolish,” Alvarez said of his lack of takedown attempts. “I’ll be the first one to admit, that was not my intention going into that fight. That was stupid, it was foolish, and I paid for not sticking to the game plan. I paid for it. That was not the game plan.”
Finally, Alvarez assured that he won’t let this emphatic loss define him.
“I’ve been in the fight game for years, and I’ll never define myself by a win, and I’ll never define myself by a loss. This is the game. Sometimes you’re crazy victorious and sometimes you lose. You put your suit on, you face the music and you answer the questions.”
The former champ also put months of beef with McGregor to bed, and commended the Irishman on his performance, and the changes he’s effected in the fight game.
“It’s incredible,” Alvarez said of McGregor’s accomplishments. “My hat’s off to him, he did a phenomenal job, and he continues to do a phenomenal job for the sport of MMA.”
What did you think of McGregor’s defeat of Alvarez? Sound off, PENN Nation!
