Conor McGregor Favored At UFC 205

He’s already got the UFC Featherweight belt. This Saturday, Conor McGregor will try to double his collection at UFC 205 when he takes on Eddie Alvarez for the Lightweight strap. McGregor is the –150 favorite at press time, down from –185 when this fight first hit the odds board as a speculative matchup back on August 23.

It’s always been McGregor’s plan to hold both belts, just like he did for Cage Warriors before signing with the UFC three years ago. He got sidetracked a bit with his two Welterweight non-title fights against Nate Diaz, splitting the pair, but that experience should have McGregor (20-3 lifetime, 8-1 UFC) better prepared to face Alvarez (28-4 lifetime, 3-1 UFC) at 155 pounds.

Alvarez has been down this road, too; he was the BodogFIGHT Welterweight champion before moving down in weight class and winning the inaugural Bellator Lightweight title in 2009. However, Alvarez and McGregor are both 5-foot-9, and the challenger has a five-inch reach advantage. It’ll be up to Alvarez to avoid those punches and put McGregor on the ground, where the champion should have a considerable advantage – provided he can take the Irishman to the mat.