The UFC is ready to take over New York City—and it’s bringing some star power to do it.
Conor McGregor will take on Eddie Alvarez in a bid for the UFC lightweight championship as the title match at UFC 205 on November 12 at Madison Square Garden, the UFC officially announced Tuesday.
IT'S GOING DOWN!!@TheNotoriousMMA challenges @EAlvarezFight for the lightweight title @TheGarden!! #UFC205 is OFFICIALLY pic.twitter.com/vRtyi34QEd
— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2016
McGregor had a long and winding road to his last fight at UFC 202—it included a “retirement,” a dispute over media obligations, and a ton of trash talk—before outlasting Diaz in five rounds and winning on decision. McGregor, the current featherweight title holder who bulked up to 170 pounds for his much-anticipated rematch with Diaz in August, must whittle down his frame to battle Alvarez, the current lightweight title holder, in a 155-pound championship match.
One thing McGregor won’t have to worry about at UFC 205, though, is losing his featherweight title belt. UFC President Dana White said that McGregor will retain his belt, setting the star up to be the first fighter in UFC history to have two titles simultaneously.
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It's a high-stakes matchup for such a landmark moment. UFC 205 will be first time that UFC will be back in New York in over two decades following a 1997 ban on professional mixed martial arts. The New York City event is shaping up to be one of the best in UFC history. With McGregor-Alvarez as the headliner, there’s a good chance the event will set pay-per-view records for the organization after McGregor–Diaz 2 became the top non-boxing PPV event of all time.
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The fight card is stacked with high-profile names: Chris Weidman, a Long Island native, will fight Yoel Romero, while Tyron Woodley will match up against Stephen Thompson after Woodley took down Robbie Lawler with a stunning first-round knockout in his last fight. Frankie Edgar is battling with Jeremy Stephens, and on the women’s side, Miesha Tate will take on Raquel Pennington, while Joanna Jedrzejczyk will face off against Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
CONFIRMED: @TWooodley makes his first title defense @TheGarden against @WonderboyMMA at #UFC205!! Who ya got?! https://t.co/rgvt2lude0pic.twitter.com/zgTXqpaeZM
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2016
The UFC appears ready for the bright lights of NYC.