Whatever the outcome is in UFC 205's main event, you get the feeling that Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez will voice their respect for each other when it's all over.
Sure, the featherweight champion has used his acerbic tongue to spit venom at the Underground King, but almost every time the two have engaged in a verbal sparring match, Alvarez's first reaction was to smile. That really isn't indicative of a fighter who absolutely despises his opponent.
Alvarez knows that by taking this fight, he has boosted his own stock massively and although he will receive all the benefits that come with the unique experience of a Red Panty Night. By the same token, McGregor knows he needed to face a champion in order to fulfil his dream of becoming a dual champion on the biggest stage.
Don't let all the pre-fight palaver and hype promos fool you, there's no animosity here.
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There are a lot of things McGregor prides himself on. Fuck it, he has a lot to be proud of.
It's difficult not to be impressed with what he has managed to achieve in the sport in such a short space of time.
He knocked out a seemingly invincible champion in just 13-seconds, he's smashed PPV and gate records and despite having his fingers in so many lucrative pies, the one constant throughout his career has been that he's continued to take fights.
The Alvarez bout will mark his fourth in an 11-month period and as he explained in the
UFC 205: Fighting for History promo, this is another thing that he prides himself on.
"What the fuck are you talking about? I fight every week. I'm the most active fighter in the game in all weight divisions, and I fight at all weight divisions."
"Who is going out there? Time and time again? Back-to-back-to-back-to-back. Putting it all on the line and continuing to show up."
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It's this trait that has earned him the respect of his next adversary. When asked during a recent appearance on
UFC Unfiltered with Jim Norton and Matt Serra what he respected most about the Notorious, Alvarez didn't hesitate with his answer.
"He dares. I think this was a little bit of a dare. I like that he fights often, he fights a lot. I can respect that."
The lightweight king admitted that this characteristic reminded him of a younger version of himself. He used to be willing to step into the cage against any man, anywhere at the drop of a hat, but then the time came when some of those hats simply couldn't be dropped.
"In a way I envy that. I can't do that because I wear other hats - I'm a father, I'm a husband. I wear other hats, so it's hard for me to be married to this game the way a lot of these other guys are."
"I admire that in Cowboy (Cerrone) and I admire that in the guys who are real active. I remember I used to be that way."
There is respect there, without a shadow of a doubt.
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