Alvarez: McGregor is not a championship fighter
UFC president Dana White says featherweight champion Conor McGregor can defend his title vs. Jose Aldo, or he can drop…
UFC president Dana White says featherweight champion Conor McGregor can defend his title vs. Jose Aldo, or he can drop the title and fight lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez.
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Alvarez has said previously that he was wanted a fight with the winner of Diaz vs. McGregor, outraging #1 contender Khabib Nurmagomedov. But in a recent appearance on the Anik and Florian podcast, Alvarez said he was up for whatever.
“I’m waiting on the UFC,” said Alvarez, as transcribed by Jed Meshew for MMA Fighting. “Whoever the UFC wants. I was looking forward to watching that fight this weekend with these two guys and we’ll see. I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I’m waiting to hear from the powers that be. I’ll fight whoever they want next. That’s who’s next.”
Alvarez was not impressed with McGregor’s performance vs. Diaz. Championship fights in the UFC are five rounds, and Alvarez said that McGregor is simply not a five round guy.
“Honestly, the first round it all looked good,” said Eddie. “But I’ve said it a million times, he’s just not a championship fighter. Not a five, 5-minute round fighter. Never has been, never will be. Some guys can have the chops for it and some guys don’t. I’ve said it from the beginning, I looked at him as a three, 5-minute round fighter and that’s where he’ll be, that’s where he should stay. I think he’s good. I think anything past 8-9 minutes it just starts to look sloppy and looks a little messy.”
“I’ve fought the best guys in the world…I look up to a lot of the guys I fight. I see them as some of the best guys. I try to challenge myself against them. But when I beat a legit guy who I feel has taken his time in this sport and is a real fighter and then I get done with the fight and I get asked about this Irish dude it’s really kind of disappointing to me…because the guys I’ve fought were way higher caliber than this guy.”
“I’m loving the Madison Square Garden card. I don’t think Philadelphia is possible but anything on the east coast would be incredible. So Madison Square Garden, show me my opponent, show me who’s next.”
(20:34 mark)
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