ANNNNNNNNNNNND NOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWW.
Can we all just settle a debate? Are we excited for McGregor vs Alvarez, or are we excited for Bruce Buffer doing his thing in the middle of the octagon? It's the latter, isn't it? The rest is just a formality that happens. Bruce is the main event.
If we're lucky, the adrenaline pumped into us by the maestro on the mic will carry through into the main event, where the Dubliner will take on his American opponent for the Lightweight Championship belt.
Advert
Entering the octagon at a height of 5'9", weighing somewhere in the region of 154lbs, with a reach of 188cm, McGregor has predicted that he'll knock out Alvarez in the first round of the fight.
One thing that doesn't need predicting is that the pay cheques are astronomical.
Advert
The Champion vs Champion will reportedly generate an amount of wonga we could never dream of, with Alvarez claiming he'll 'make millions' in Madison Square Garden.
The 5'9" fighter, also in the region of 154lbs, with a reach of 175cm, will probably not make the same amount of money as his opponent. This is likely due to McGregor's status as a 'money maker' for the UFC. Earlier in the year there were also alleged disputes regarding Alvarez's contract for the fight, which reportedly led to renegotiations. This was something Conor wasn't going to let him forget.
Advert
The chances are that Conor has spent months preparing for Alvarez. Following the first fight with Diaz, he learned his lesson. You can bet your bottom dollar that, much like in McGregor vs Diaz II, he'll have a well thought out tactic. He won't go to ground if he doesn't need to, he'll focus on a specific area, or, and I can't see this happening myself, he'll have trained to match him on the mat.
Mac commented that if he successfully defeats the American, he'll cement his immortality as a fighter in the UFC. It's very important to note the last bit of that sentence: as a fighter. Proven by his media conference theatrics, as well as many appearances and false 'retirements', he's sitting comfortably on the untouchable pedestal. It'd be ridiculous for Dana White to get rid of him as he is too much of a cash cow. So, what does he do? He does what we all do, stands back, watches McGregor be McGregor and laughs. He does that while the other fighters sit back recording what he does on their smartphones.
More to the point, he will always have the psychology. He's a master of mind games. If he knows what will get his opposite number's anger flared up, he'll do it. He's already tapped into the Lightweight Champion's head. He was rattled by Conor showing up late to the press conference and then taking his belt. He was moments away from snapping. He's close to the edge.
Advert
The main event will be explosive, no doubt, and will probably win the 'Fight of the Night' award, as Mystic Mac always seems to do. It'd be incredible if The Notorious got another first round K.O and would be equally shocking if Eddie landed the victory. But it'd be much better for another five round fight.
The second installment in the Diaz/McGregor saga was an epic fight and all of the real fans out there will be hoping for something similar in NYC.
But, as alluded to before, they'll both be upstaged by Bruce Buffer. Unlucky, lads.
Featured image credit: PA
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Conor Mcgregor, UFC