If Thursday afternoon's press conference was any indication of what UFC 205 will look like on Saturday, we're in for one hell of a showdown.
Lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez will look to defend his title against featherweight champion and lightweight contender Conor McGregor.
It's a difficult fight to break down for a multitude of reasons, mainly because the UFC has never seen McGregor fight at 155 pounds despite the fact that he was the featherweight and lightweight champion in Cage Warriors before signing on with the UFC.
But before we get into the chaos that was the press conference and the incredible main event that the world is waiting for, let's look at the latest pre-fight odds, according to Odds Shark.
| Fighter | Odds |
| Conor McGregor | -175 |
| Eddie Alvarez | +145 |
Oddshark.com
Alvarez and McGregor were in rare form at Thursday's press conference, which began with McGregor arriving late, something that UFC fans have become all too familiar with.
Alvarez was vocal, playfully jabbing at the Irish contingency in attendance and even went as far as saying how "embarrassed" he felt for Ireland.
"I'm disappointed in the country of Ireland!" Eddie
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) November 10, 2016
Alvarez on Conor McGregor being MIA at the presser. #UFC205 https://t.co/UZJxLAstTk
While the crowd and media anxiously awaited McGregor's arrival, Alvarez grew tired of waiting and walked off the stage, eerily similar to the way Nate Diaz left the UFC 202 pre-fight press conference (Warning: NSFW).
When McGregor eventually came out from the shadows in the most fashionable way imaginable, he did what he does best: steal the show.
Another melee almost happened at the #ufc205 press conference pic.twitter.com/TaI3z1AW3x
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) November 10, 2016
Call it staged, exaggerated and planned for selling more pay-per-views, but it was entertainment at its finest.
And for those curious about McGregor's Gucci mink coat and red turtle neck, Fox Sports gave a good explanation for it on Twitter.
"Smokin' Joe" meets "Mystic Mac" #UFC205 pic.twitter.com/5aSMul5XbQ
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) November 10, 2016
If McGregor was fined $75,000—not $150,000 as originally thought—for throwing a water bottle and a can of Monster Energy Drink at Nate Diaz and his team at the UFC 202 pre-fight press conference, how much would he have been fined for throwing a chair over Alvarez's head?
Maybe the UFC is taking a page out of WWE's playbook. Either way, Saturday can't come soon enough given that both fighters are on edge and ready to throw haymakers at each other.
Alvarez: I’m prepared to completely destroy Conor McGregor and silence this entire crowd.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) November 10, 2016
McGregor had lots to say, but because most of what he said is inappropriate for many readers, here is the G-rated trash talk from the featherweight champion on Thursday.
McGregor is razzing Alvarez for leaving the Blackzilians. “I’ve been with my coach since Day One."
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) November 10, 2016
There is no way better way to explain this card than epic. From prelim to main event, it truly is the best fight card the UFC has ever put together. And while there are many good, close fights on the card, let's be real. We're here to talk about history being made.
McGregor is looking to become the first UFC fighter to ever simultaneously hold two belts in two weight divisions while Alvarez is looking to solidify his place in mixed martial arts history with a victory over the biggest name in the sport.
It's not an easy fight for either corner. McGregor has to learn to withstand Alvarez's relentless pressure and his ability to grind out a victory against the cage and in the clinch. The Irishman had some success in the clinch and defending takedown against Diaz, but Alvarez is a much stronger and more technical wrestler. Think Chad Mendes only taller, more aggressive and stronger.
By taking this fight off the feet and slowing down the pace, Alvarez should be able to come away with a decision win or even a submission victory.
But having said that, Alvarez has to withstand "The Notorious."
There is a reason why McGregor has so much bravado and why he is undoubtedly the face of the fight game. He can walk the walk and talk the talk like no other UFC fighter, and he usually predicts how the fight will end, except for the two Diaz bouts.
McGregor has said time and again that he will rearrange Alvarez's face and punish him once they step into the Octagon if he can withstand the barrage of strikes in the first round. McGregor's coach John Kavanagh doesn't agree with his student's prediction of a first-round knockout, but he told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour this past Monday that he envisions a second-round knockout of Alvarez.
Prediction: Alvarez will eventually go down in history as a great fighter, but he will go down in the second round via McGregor's left hand on Saturday.
If you want to see everything that went down at Thursday's press conference, you can watch it here via UFC at the 10:28 mark (Warning: NSFW).
