Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez insists he hated 'everything' about his showdown with Conor McGregor back in 2016. The former Bellator lightweight world champion signed for the UFC back in 2014, but was convincingly beaten by Donald Cerrone on his promotional debut. The Philadelphia native then defeated Gilbert Melendez and Anthony Pettis - which seemingly booked his first shot at UFC gold against Rafael dos Anjos in July 2016.
After shocking the world with a first round knockout, the newly-crowned champion's first title defence came against McGregor five months later. In one of the biggest events in the history of the UFC, Alvarez was the headline act and had the chance to pocket a monumental and life-changing payday.
However, his title run came to an end in some fashion as the Irishman delivered on the big stage. McGregor knocked the American down multiple times before securing a second round knockout in what was his most impressive performance to date. Nine years on from the historic showdown at Madison Square Garden, Alvarez has now revealed he has some regrets as to how he handled the week leading up to the showdown.
Reflecting on the lightweight clash, Alvarez was left 'shocked' despite fighting just hours from his hometown. In an interview with MMA Fighting, he said: “There’s been one time and everybody knows the Conor fight where I went into somewhat near my hometown and I didn’t show up. That was probably the one time that really shocked even myself. Because throughout my entire career, home or anywhere nearby, whenever that spotlight’s on me and whenever the stakes are big, that’s when I show up big.
