Champ Eddie Alvarez expecting to 'do something violent' against McGregor in UFC 205 headliner

NEW YORK – For anyone concerned that Eddie Alvarez will look to grind out Conor McGregor for five rounds in the UFC 205 main event, the reigning UFC lightweight champ said that’s not how he envisions the fight unfolding.

Alvarez (28-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC), who puts his 155-pound belt up for grabs against featherweight champ McGregor (20-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in Saturday’s pay-per-view headliner following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass at Madison Square Garden in New York, is predicting a “violent” outcome for his bout with “The Notorious.”

“I’m super excited to go out there and do something violent, do something high-paced,” Alvarez said at today’s UFC 205 open workouts. “I overcome challenges every day. That’s what I’m good at, that’s what I pride myself on and that’s why I’m champion. Bring me a fight, please.”

Alvarez thinks McGregor will expect him to take the fight to the ground. He certainly may do that over a potential 25-minute affair, but he said that’s no how he sees himself achieving his first title defense.

“I think I’m going to land a big shot,” Alvarez said. “I think this guy is worried about a too grappling and a lot of wrestling, but when his mind is on that I’m going to hit him with a big shot.”

For more on UFC 205, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.