Eddie Alvarez: McGregor 'deserves' lightweight title shot, but exit from featherweight 'convenient'

Eddie Alvarez and Anthony Pettis are not disturbed by Conor McGregor’s apparent jump to the front of the lightweight contender line for a championship bout with Rafael dos Anjos.

McGregor (19-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC), the reigning UFC featherweight champion, will apparently move up to 155 pounds on March 5 for a champion vs. champion showdown with dos Anjos (25-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC) at UFC 197 in Las Vegas. That’s unfortunate news for top contenders Alvarez (26-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Pettis (18-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC), who are set to meet in an important fight at UFC Fight Night 81 on Jan. 17.

Although there’s plenty of reason for Alvarez and Pettis to be upset by McGregor getting a title shot in a division where he’s never competed under the UFC banner, neither fighter seems particularly rattled by the news.

In fact, Alvarez said McGregor is actually deserves the opportunity despite his feeling that “The Notorious” is making the move at a “convenient” time when 145-pound contender Frankie Edgar is ready for a title shot of his own.

“I’ve been in the game a long time, I understand what the game’s about; (McGregor’s) done a great job with what he’s doing and he’s getting everything he deserves,” Alvarez told MMAjunkie. “What I do think is that Frankie Edgar will beat him, and it’s really convenient to leave the division right now when the only person left is Frankie Edgar. That’s what I think.”

When the bout between Alvarez and Pettis was booked for UFC Fight Night 81, which takes place at Boston’s TD Garden and airs on FOX Sports 1, there was speculation a title shot could be on the line. It appears that’s no longer the case, though.

Alvarez said he isn’t worried about such matters and is focused on the task at hand. However, he feels his chance to fight for the belt is inevitable.

“What I do know is that after I beat Anthony Pettis, I definitely want a title, and anybody who is in that picture in my way, that’s who I’m going after,” Alvarez said. “Regardless of who it is, I don’t care. I’ll be the best fighter in this division sooner or later.”

Pettis echoed those sentiments and said all opportunities for the future depend on winning the fight directly ahead of him.

“Honestly I haven’t even looked forward to the next fight,” Pettis said. “I’m just focused on Eddie. Whatever happens after that is based on the next fight.”

The way in which the dos Anjos vs. McGregor fight plays out will have a big impact on the future of Alvarez and Pettis. Should McGregor capture a second UFC title, his goal to defend two belts simultaneously could cause issues. A victory for dos Anjos, on the other hand, would elevate his status in the sport to a new level and make the UFC lightweight title an even more valuable possession.

Alvarez said either outcome has tremendous upside, but regardless of how the situation plays out, he just wants the most meaningful fights available.

“I want the biggest, best fight they can put in front of me,” Alvarez said. “Obviously that’s why I came to the UFC. I haven’t fought anybody who wasn’t of value; I haven’t fought anybody that wasn’t the best. I want the biggest, best fights that fans want to see. That’s what I’m looking for. So anybody. I truly believe I can beat anybody they put in front of me.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 81, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.