Alvarez explains loss to McGregor

On Saturday night at UFC 205, Conor McGregor entered territory never seen in MMA before. The great Fedor Emelianenko got close – a precondition for his participation in a fight post-PRIDE was co-promotion with his management. But McGregor now wants equity in the whole shoot.

Eddie Alvarez sits on the other side of McGregor’s momentous victory.

“The first time I was dropped, I remember being on my butt and thinking, that was quick,” said Alvarez, as transcribed by Martin Domin for England’s The Mirror. “His speed and timing were very good.”

Alvarez was asked the obvious question – why didn’t you try to wrestle the Irishman?

“I’m not quite sure, and it was foolish,” replied Alvarez honestly. “That was not my intention going into the fight. It was stupid, it was foolish and I paid for not sticking to the game plan.

“I fought a stupid fight, it wasn’t a good fight. I’ve never defined myself by a win and I’ll never define myself by a loss.

“[McGregor] has done a phenomenal job and he continues to do a good job for the sport.

“I just want to see my wife and kids.”

Alvarez is just 32, with a lot of chin left – this was the very first time he ever lost a fight via T/KO. His next fight may still well depend upon McGregor.

Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov each richly deserve a title shot. However, McGregor wants equity, which may take some time to negotiate. And he wants a shot at the welterweight belt, which would take a while. Sometimes McGregor’s journeys away from the beaten path take two fights. And McGregor wants to hold and defend the featherweight belt too.

So even with the loss, Alvarez is living in McGregor’s world. He has a lot of company.