Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor headlines UFC 205 in New York
Conor McGregor will fight at UFC 205 after all.
Despite reports last week that McGregor was no longer expected to fight on the historic Nov. 12 card at Madison Square Garden, UFC president Dana White confirmed on Monday night that he would face Eddie Alvarez with the lightweight title on the line.
McGregor will also retain his featherweight title through UFC 205 as he attempts to become the first ever simultaneous two-division champion in company history.
White first revealed the news to ESPN.
The saga to get McGregor and Alvarez to headline the show has been ongoing for several weeks but it appeared negotiations stalled recently after a lightweight title shot was offered to Khabib Nurmagomedov instead.
Nurmagomedov was actually given bout agreements for both UFC 205 and UFC 206 in Toronto, but now those contracts are null and void as the promotion shifts directions once again.
McGregor was preparing for a slot on the Nov. 12 card despite a report to the contrary saying he was dealing with a leg injury. As it turns out, the Irishman will ultimately get his wish as he looks to conquer a second division in the UFC while still holding onto his 145-pound title as well.
As for Alvarez, the current lightweight champion has been champing at the bit to face McGregor as his first opponent after defeating Rafael dos Anjos back in July. Alvarez won that fight by first-round TKO and immediately called for the winner of the UFC 202 main event between McGregor and Nate Diaz.
McGregor ended up winning that fight by majority decision and now he'll get the opportunity to face Alvarez with the lightweight title on the line in November.
The addition of Alvarez vs. McGregor as the main event means UFC 205 will now feature three title fights with welterweight champion Tyron Woodley meeting Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson and strawweight queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk putting her belt on the line against Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
Both McGregor and Alvarez will also appear at the UFC 205 press conference on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden kicking off at 6 p.m. ET.
