Pre-Fight Study - Alvarez vs McGregor - #ufc205
Personally, I'm picking Conor to win via first round TKO. I feel like there may be similarities to the Chad Mendes fight. Yet, I have to assume Conor has only grown in his ability to defend takedowns over the years. He has fought styles similar to Eddie Alvarez but Eddie presents a different style of footwork and toughness, so I think Conor will have to overcome some adversity. This is a style of grappling Conor will need to get used to because Eddie is the prototype boxer/wrestler. If Conor can't handle Eddie's grappling, he may need to consider going back down to featherweight.
If this fight goes beyond 2 or 3 rounds, I think it heavily begins to favor Eddie. I do hope Eddie stands and trades with Conor because I'm curious to see how his footwork stacks against Conor's style. I think Eddie's pure boxing mechanics are great and he may be able to land bombs on Conor. I'm not sure why people are discounting Eddie so much in the striking. There is no guarantee Conor's left hand will KO him.
I think Conor will pressure Eddie Alvarez and land precise right hooks, left uppercuts and straight lefts. When Eddie strikes back, Conor will find a home for his devastating counters. Eddie generally gets rocked but recovers well. I do think Eddie will shoot in but I think Conor should be able to defend, at least early. The pressure will continue until Conor puts Eddie Alvarez away. People talk of Conor's power but it's a combination of speed, precision, timing and movement. I think Conor will revert back to the style he used at featherweight. Light on his feet with a bladed and wide stance. This boxing-karate hybrid style is quite different than what most fighters are used to seeing. Conor is quick and he has the reach advantage. There may not be enough time for Eddie to adjust to this - that may be a little too late. That's why I'm picking Conor to win.
Extended Research and Articles:
Firas Zahabi's Breakdown - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTJypPbwGpY
Eddie Alvarez vs Michael Chandler I: http://bellator.spike.com/fight/hjohlw/bellator-58-michael-chandler-vs-eddie-alvarez-i
Eddie Alvarez vs Michael Chandler II: http://bellator.spike.com/fight/p18n3u/bellator-106-michael-chandler-vs-eddie-alvarez-ii
Conor McGregor vs Ivan Buchinger - Lightweight Championship:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juLb354l85U
Conor McGregor vs Dave Hill - Featherweight Championship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RvdLQLQY54
Conor McGregor's Grappling Extended Breakdown:
http://fightland.vice.com/blog/conor-mcgregors-grappling-game
Conor McGregor Broken Down by Jack Slack:
http://fightland.vice.com/blog/jack-slack-conor-mcgregor-is-the-future-of-mixed-martial-arts
How Eddie Alvarez Defeated RDA:
http://fightland.vice.com/blog/how-eddie-alvarez-killed-the-king
A Day In Philadelphia W/ Eddie Alvarez:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCCQvDNpg3s
Ariel's Interview W/ Eddie, Pre-Dos Anjos vs. McGregor:
https://youtu.be/GFmIS_Jr_KU?t=49m49s
Music by:
Ryan Little
https://www.youtube.com/TheR4C2010