How Conor McGregor defeated Eddie Alvarez and became the ‘Champ Champ’
On the 12th November 2016 “The Notorious” Conor McGregor defeated Eddie Alvarez by way of TKO (punches) to become the first fighter to ever hold two belts in different weight classes simultaneously by holding both the 145 pound featherweight title and the 155 pound lightweight title. The Irishman completely dominated Alvarez from bell to bell, today we take a look at exactly how he did it that famous night in Madison Square Garden.
As standard with Conor McGregor, the mental warfare began weeks in advance with “notorious” up to his usual mind games but unlike some of McGregor’s previous one sided verbal assaults, Alvarez actually fired back with some real stingers and seemingly had Conor lost for words on multiple occasions. Never one to have his confidence shaken, McGregor quickly turned UFC 205 into the Conor McGregor show with an intense walk out and a Vince McMahon like strut around the octagon.
Round 1
The opening round began cagey, both fighters feeling each other out but as the clock ticked away you could just feel Conor getting looser and looser and his confidence growing by the second. McGregor dominated Alvarez outlanding him 20-6 total strikes and 18-6 significant strikes and dropping the American a total of 3 times in the first round. At the time this was the joint most a fighter had been dropped in a single round and made it to the end of the end of that round. This was arguably the most dominant round of Conor McGregor’s UFC career, despite multiple round 1 KO’s that include a 13 second KO of then champion Jose Aldo Jr, fans had never really seen the Irishman totally dominate especially as he was moving up a weight class. Although stunned by the power of McGregor and that infamous left hand, Eddie was not overly hurt when he headed back to his corner as the bell sounded and both fighters came out ready for round 2 of a possible 5.
Round 2
After a truly dominant display in the opening round, McGregor immediately took the centre of the octagon and began setting up counter after counter. Moving slick around the cage and even famously standing with both hands behind his back on more than one occasion, McGregor was a beacon of self confidence and seemingly untouchable. Alvarez was once again undeniably outclassed by the Irishman on the feet landing only 3 significant strikes opposed with McGregor’s 14 landed. Conor movement was so fluid and Alvarez just seemed to panic under the brightest lights of them all. The killer blows came just past the 3 minute mark as Conor slipped a right hand from Alvarez and countered with a spectacular 5 punch combo to drop Eddie once more this time for good as Referee Herb Dean mercifully stopped the contest handing the UFC’s resident mega star his second world title under the promotion.
Conor McGregor truly made history in New York City, becoming the first ever champ champ, this is something that has become somewhat of a trend in the UFC since Conor did it. Since McGregor reaches champ champ status, 3 other fighters have followed in his footsteps, first Daniel Cormier won the heavyweight belt to become the champion of both the light heavyweight division and heavyweight division, next, Amanda Nunes became the first ever woman’s two weight world champion when she defeated Cris Cyborg for her UFC women’s featherweight title to hold both the women’s featherweight and bantamweight titles and finally Henry Cejudo who defeated TJ Dillashaw to become champion of the men’s flyweight and bantamweight division. There is no doubt “The Notorious” Conor McGregor is what you would call a trend setter with seemingly everyone chasing the status of ‘Champ Champ’.
Here’s to hoping we see Conor McGregor back in the octagon very soon.
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