UFC 205: New York McGregor v Alvarez (Predictions / Previews)

After so many years of waiting the UFC will finally have an event in New York City, and at the famous Madison Square Garden (MSG). UFC 205 goes down on Saturday November 12th (Sunday here in Korea) and will be headlined by current Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor, taking on Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez. There are also 2 more title fights, the Welterweight Belt will be defended by Tyron Woodley against Stephen Thompson. Plus the Women’s Strawweight gold will feature 2 Polish Stars Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Here are our predictions for all of the UFC 205 fights plus previews for the main card;

UFC 205: New York McGregor v Alvarez

UFC 205 Preliminary Card Predictions

Liz Carmouche vs. Katlyn Chookagain (Women’s Bantamweight)

Chookagain by Unanimous Decision

Tim Boetsch vs. Rafael Natal (Middleweight)

Natal by Unanimous Decision

Thiago Alves vs. Jim Miller (Catchweight)

Miller by 3rd Round TKO

Belal Muhammad vs. Vicente Luque (Welterweight)

Muhammad by Unanimous Decision

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Micheal Johnson (Lightweight)

Nurmagomedov by 1st Round Submission

Frankie Edgar vs. Jeremy Stephens (Featherweight)

Edgar by Unanimous Decision

UFC 205 Main Card Predictions & Previews

Firstly the Welterweight fight between Donald Cerrone vs. Kelvin Gastelum has been scraped because Gastelum don’t show up to the Weight-ins. Dana White has already commented that Gastelum will never fight at Welterweight in the UFC again, as this is the 3rd time he’s failed to make weight.

Miesha Tate vs. Raquel Pennington (Women’s Bantamweight)

Miesha Tate by 2nd Round Submission – Tate is the famous Strikeforce and UFC champ and has taken on the best the division has to offer. She lost against Amanda Nunes, but maybe got lost in the moment a little at UFC200. Pennington is a strong striker, but weaker on the ground.

Chris Weidman vs. Yoel Romero (Middleweight)

Chris Weidman by Unanimous Decision – This should prove to be the Middleweight title eliminator, former champ Weidman hasn’t fought since losing his title almost a year ago. However that was his 1st defeat and maybe again a more rounded fighter in Luke Rockhold. Romero is a interesting fighter, a wrestler whose never won by submission. At 39 this could be his last push for the title.

Joanna Jędrzejczyk (c) vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (Women’s Strawweight Championship)

Joanna Jędrzejczyk by Unanimous Decision – A battle between two undefeated Polish fighters for the Strawweight Gold. Jędrzejczyk has successfully defended her title 3 times since taking the title 18months ago. She’s dangerous on the feet with quick and dangerous Muay Thai. She takes on Kowalkiewicz who also has a background in Muay Thai as well as Krav Maga. The difference will be speed and that’s were Jędrzejczyk has the advantage. They have fought before at Amateur level with Joanna winning by Submission (back in 2012).

Tyron Woodley (c) vs. Stephen Thompson (Welterweight Championship)

Tyron Woodley by Unanimous Decision – Tyron Woodley shocked many by finishing Robbie Lawler back in July in the 1st round, however he sports an impressive record. He’s powerful on the feet and strong on the ground. Stephen Thompson comes in with a 12-1 record (only defeat back in 2012). He beat Rory MacDonald a few months ago, who in turn beat Woodley a few years ago. However the question sometimes is his ground game, and if Woodley can take him down early he might control the fight and grind out a victory. Sorry once again no finish

Conor McGregor (FWc) vs. Eddie Alvarez (c) (Lightweight Championship)

Conor McGregor by 3rd Round TKO. Strangely after a few years of watching McGregor in the UFC we finally get to see McGregor fighting at his optimum weight of Lightweight. He has impressive victories over Aldo, Mendes and others, it’s only Nate Diaz whose caused him any problems recently. Eddie Alvarez has shocked many by beating Melendez, Pettis and Dos Anjos despite being an underdog in all 3. On the ground he certainly has the edge, however it’s McGregor on the feet that we see being the difference here. McGregor a two weight champion.

UFC 205 Weigh-In Highlights

Here is the video of the UFC 205 Weigh-Ins;

Here are some pictures from the “Real” Weigh-ins;

UFC 205 Results

Liz Carmouche edges out Katlyn Chookagian via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

Jim Miller beats Thiago Alves by decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27).

Vicente Luque knocks out Belal Muhammad in the 1st Round.

Tim Boetsch beats Rafael Natal by 1st Round TKO.

Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Micheal Johnson in the 3rd round with a Kimura.

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Finally

UFC 205 will be broadcast live on SPOTV here in South Korea.

For all of our previous UFC content CLICK HERE.

As always if you have any questions about UFC 204 and/or anything else please feel free to let us know. Either below by Email or via Twitter or Facebook.

Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org