Conor McGregor’s Camp ‘Not Particularly Concerned’ By Eddie Alvarez

Coming up at UFC 205 is a historic event, to how much of a degree depends on the main event. Tasking on Conor McGregor in his first title defense, 155-pound champion Eddie Alvarez will look to play the role of spoiler. At stake is the possibility of the first simultaneous two-weight champion, as McGregor also currently holds the 145-pound title. Only Alvarez’s belt will be on the line in New York, in the promotion’s debut after a lengthy battle to legalize MMA in the Big Apple. McGregor recently stated he wanted to defend both titles after UFC 205, but is he overlooking the most dangerous challenge of his career?

During his July victory over Rafael dos Anjos, the former Bellator champion looked complete. Smashing the Brazilian in the first round, Alvarez claimed the 155-pound belt with a convincing TKO. With so much riding on this fight for both parties, tensions have been running high during their media obligations. ‘The Notorious’ recently said he has been training for fighters like Alvarez ‘his whole life.’ Is this really such a run of the mill task for the Irish striker?

“Not Concerned”

According to McGregor’s longtime coach John Kavanagh, there is nothing in particular that concerns the featherweight champion about Eddie Alvarez. Talking with the42.ie, the head coach of SBG Ireland says Chad Mendes was actually more of a challenge to train for:

Is there anything in particular that concerns you about Eddie Alvarez’s style?

“Not really. We didn’t have a huge training camp for (Chad Mendes), and I feel he is actually a more difficult wrestler to train for. For some reason (Alvarez) is actually listed as being the same height as Conor, but I think he is 5’7″ and Conor is 5’10”. There’s not that much of a height difference, so it’s a little easier when there’s someone who is more your eye level. In the Mendes fight, Conor actually kinda gave those takedowns just so he could pull guard, rather than fight them and possibly injure his knee. That was a strange fight, but this camp there’s no injuries.”

“Any takedowns Eddie gets, he’s gonna have to fight tooth and nail for. It’s going to be a very exhausting experience, and even if you do take him down, you’re going to be eating big elbows, submission attempts and he’s going to be talking in your ear.”

“His last fight before going into the UFC was at 155 [pounds] and, for me, that was the ideal weight. But I guess the fights that had influenced [UFC matchmaker] Sean Shelby’s decision to reach out were the 145 fights. Sean looks after the 145 and below divisions so he nabbed him for 145, so we just rolled with it.”

Cause For Concern

Whoever you are supporting going in to UFC 205, there’s the chance anything can happen in this fight. Should McGregor win, history will be made, if Alvarez is victorious, then perhaps it’s back to featherweight for ‘The Notorious.’ Either way, the first ever event in New York is set to be huge! Both men are extremely dangerous, and although Kavanagh says there’s no cause for concern, the possibility of a finish from either side is very real.