And here’s some post-fight analysis:
Here's your fight report.
Well, that was awesome. Conor McGregor becomes the first UFC fighter to hold two titles simultaneously. We’re going to wrap this blog up now, but check back soon for a full report of a historic evening.
Thanks for reading. Good night.
There's the announcement @TheNotoriousMMA has been waiting to make!! 😂 😂 😂 #UFC205 #UFCNYC https://t.co/yLQw0F9oQq
— #UFC205 (@ufc) November 13, 2016
Another McGregor milestone tonight. He can do no wrong in the Octagon, can he?
The Garden crowd waited all night to erupt for McGregor, and he did not disappoint. Though his fight with Alvarez looked so easy there were no huge roars, they did explode when he started demanding the UFC to bring out his second belt.
And when he said: “I want to apologize … to absolutely no one!” the fans howled. Much of the crowd had already headed for the exits and he was still walking around the octagon holding his two belts aloft. He cackled all the way into the tunnel. He sure acts like he runs the show here.
Peak Conor McGregor in that postfight victory speech. He will be incredibly difficult for the UFC to dictate to, not that he isn’t now. But this is next level.
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Official time of the fight is 3:04 of round two. Winner by knockout: Conor McGregor.
Four punches by McGregor put Alvarez down for good. Two more lefts and John McCarthy called it. That’s not even textbook. Perfection.
Conor McGregor wins!
Solid takedown defense by McGregor here. A big test for him in this fight. He’s passing. They disengage and McGregor scores with a knee to the body. McGregor kicks to Alvarez’s midsection.
A combination from McGregor plasters Alvarez. He follows with two more shots and that’s it. The referee calls it. Conor McGregor is the UFC lightweight and featherweight champion. Totally impressive.
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For the first time Alvarez has McGregor pushed into the fence.
McGregor taunts Alvarez by putting his hands behind his back. He did it twice. Alvarez just stood there.
The champ jumps forward and lands a right hands. They exchange and McGregor puts Alvarez down on knee.
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A solid left hand counter by McGregor. Beautiful. Maybe the best weapon in MMA.
Round two: McGregor v Alvarez
Alvarez walking towards McGregor’s power is an egregious mistake. Just awful. And he kept doing it.
Alvarez kicks high and it’s blocked. He’s survived Round 1, and that’s a bit of a victory.
10-8 McGregor.
A takedown attempt by Alvarz is shucked off. No sweat for McGregor. Another left hand bounces off Alvarez’s jaw. He’s still standing though, and the last thing you can do with Alvarez is give him life. A right hand by Alvarez scores.
Another big left and down goes Alvarez. This is what McGregor does. The challenger is one top of Eddie. This grappling might be the best thing for Alvarez.
Back to the feet. McGregor in complete control.
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Alvarez bobbing up and down, changing levels. He’s circling to McGregor’s powerhand and eats a left hand that drops him. Exactly how it couldn’t go. But Alvarez pops up.
Alvarez again circling towards McGregor’s left.
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Alvarez sweeps McGregor off his feet with a low kick to the inside of the Irishman’s lead leg. That’s a good way to prevent a left hand from scoring.
Round one: McGregor v Alvarez
We have a touch of the gloves.
McGregor walks to the center of the Octagon, arms outstretched, completely, utterly confident. Amazing man to watch fight. Alvarez is pacing, anxious. He’s surely ready.
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The champion, Eddie Alvarez, enters the arena at Madison Square Garden with his title to lose, and everything else to gain. A huge, huge, huge opportunity for a man who has done everything the right way throughout his distinguished 14-year career.
McGregor could very well be his best at 155lbs. Absent the draining weight cut down to 145, he looks strong and agile and relaxed. Potent fighter.
UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor is making the walk to the cage intending to do something no one else has: hold championships in two weight classes at the same time.
Coming up next it's the main event! #UFC205 #UFCNYC pic.twitter.com/IDS1jiMUvN
— #UFC205 (@ufc) November 13, 2016
Fans at the Garden do not seem to like Tyron Woodley, profiled here in The Guardian – they booed through his interview and also booed the indecision about whether Woodley won the fight or if it was a majority draw They clearly favored Thompson before the fight and warmed to the way Thompson fought back after it looked like Woodley was about to put him away early in the fight.
Chants of “Wonderboy” rose from the fans and Thompson was cheered at the end when he was interviewed.
It’s time for tonight’s main event. The Conor McGregor show, co-starring Eddie Alvarez.
The expectation is this will be an action fight. McGregor will feel like he can pinpoint left hands to Alvarez’s chin. Eddie will feel like he can walk McGregor down and hunt him with pressure, while mixing in wrestling.
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Some sloppy handling of the scoring here. Buffer gets back on the mic to properly call it a majority draw. Woodley still retains. “The Chosen One” damn near looked like he was going to have a heart attack.
Tyron Woodley retains the UFC welterweight championship.
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Woodley still the champion!
Judges: 47-47, 47-47, 48-47 for Woodley. Buffer called it a split decision, but that’s a majority draw.
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Some discussion over the scoring happening. Bruce Buffer began to read the scores then was called out by the New York State Athletic Commission. Here he comes.
Thompson and Woodley show respect as we await the judges.
Don’t be shocked if this ends in a draw. Woodley did much more damage but he took rounds off and it will depends on if judge saw the first or the fourth as a 10-8.
Woodley taking a sort of desperate straight ahead move that yielded nothing. He seems to be spent. Thompson is outscoring Woodley in the fifth. This decision will be tight. 10-9 Thompson in R5. 48-46 Woodley.
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Two low kicks from Woodley. Thompson unfurls a spinning wheel kick that’s blocked. Solid right to the face by Thompson. Under two minutes remaining here. Fifth is still a tossup. Woodley is either gassed or he’s waiting for a big moment. He just took a hard low kick, then countered with a right hand to the jaw.
Round five: Thompson v Woodley
Thompson once again walking Woodley back to the fence. One punch could change this whole fight.
Woodley working his guard. If he can avoid taking punishment here it could be a 10-8 round. That’s the fourth. Thompson helps Woodley stand. Terrific.
39-36 Woodley. Give R4 to Woodley 10-8.
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Woodley drops to guard and and squeezes as hard as he can. This is a deep, deep guillotine. Woodley giving it everything he has.
If Thompson survives this might prove to be a major mistake by Woodley. Huge burst of energy and his arms have to be getting heavy.
Now Woodley is on his back and Thompson’s head is clear with a minute remaining in R4.
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Woodley going for the finish here. Knees from Woodley. Thompson dives in and exposes his neck. Woodley is looking for a guillotine and defends. Big burst by Woodley.
Straight left by Thompson and Woodley eats it. But Woodley scores his best punch of the fight and Thompson was put down. Another big right hand by Woodley drops Thompson along the fence. They’re on the ground now. Woodley is peppering punches against the challenger’s face.
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Round four: Thompson v Woodley
Woodley’s failure to mix in wrestling after R1 makes little sense. Right hand lead by Thompson scores.
Woodley slugs Thompson with a right hand before the bell. Very close third round. If this goes the distance it may prove to be the difference. 29-28 Woodley.
Thompson scored with a jab-straight right. He’s picking up the pace. Woodley is lunging with a lead right hand. That won’t cut it against a longer fighter who is a master of range. Hard low kick from Woodley nearly knocks Thompson off his feet. The champ is still looking for a kill shot to the head.
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Round three: Thompson v Woodley
Double right hand by Woodley. The second one scored. Again Woodley came forward and he ate a quick right. Woodley showing little interest in wrestling. Could be a major mistake.
Thompson’s round, as Woodley probably gave that one away. No pressure on Thompson, who sorted out distance and gained some comfort there. 19-19.
Woodley is risking a lot as he backs up to the fence and stands square. Thompson scores a spinning kick to Woodley’s midsection. Woodley scores with a low kick and eats a counter left. A minute to go and Thompson has been the more active fighter.
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Round two: Thompson v Woodley
Thompson has walked Woodley to the fence, but the champion seems to want this. As soon as Wonderboy moves forward the champion locks in a clinch. Thompson can’t shake Woodley yet.
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Woodley has bloodied up Thompson. The champion really took it to Wonderboy in that round. A perfect start for Woodley. Short elbow by Woodley cut Thompson on the bridge of his nose.
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Woodley charges forward off a Thompson low kick and lands on top in half-guard. Good spot for the champion.
Will Woodley be content to control and score points, or does he want to dominate? So far he’s in control and Thompson can’t do much here but eat punches to the liver.
Measured opening minute. Lots of judging of space and distance. Woodley is staying out of Thompson’s range, but his back is closer and closer to the fence.
Thompson’s first kick to the head is blocked. This isn’t an output fight. It’s about precision.
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Round one: Thompson v Woodley
I visited Woodley in St Louis last week. He said many things that stood out to me, but none more than this: he said he has never hit anyone as hard as he can, but he intends to do that to Thompson.
The champion enters the Octagon as an underdog. Looking at Woodley, it’s hard to fathom. He’ll need to attack more than react, and he said he intends to. The key will be mixing up standing and grappling opportunities. Woodley can’t get into the habit of forcing one or the other.
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson enters the Octagon to Tenacious D’s Wonderboy. Not only that, he mouthed the lyrics. The South Carolinian challenger is worthy of this moment. He has height and reach advantages over the champion Tyron Woodley. If Thompson can control distance, he can certainly win tonight.
The Madison Square Garden crowd remains somewhat muted, especially compared to some of those in recent months in Las Vegas. But now that we’re in the final two bouts of the night maybe the energy will pick up. I still get a sense there are a ton of McGregor fans here who are just waiting for him to emerge. Even so, the fans here don’t have the same edge as other McGregor crowds have had.
JJ: “You know why I remain champion? I remain humble. I work hard every day.” The champion says her last bout with Claudia Gadelha was more difficult, but she pays respect to Karolina.
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Jedrzejczyk wins!
Judges: 49-46, 49-46, 49-46 for Joanna Champion. Quality effort by both women.
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Round five: Kowalkiewiecz v Jedrzejczyk
The Polish ladies hug to start the fifth. Total strikes: JJ 211, KK 85.
Joanna is damaged around her face, and another hard strike could make things difficult for her over the next three minutes. KK seeks an opening, but thus far it’s JJ winning the final period. Joanna steps back and scores with a left hook. Lands another straight left. But Karolina won’t budge. She’s standing in front of the champion.
There’s a major hematoma growing on the right side of Joanna’s face. The final minute is here and they’re scrapping in the clinch.
That’s the bell. The first of three title fights at UFC 205 goes the distance. It looks like the champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk should get the nod. Guardian scores it 49-46. Karolina Kowalkiewicz hung tough, made it as competitive as she could. But didn’t offer enough.
Round four: Kowalkiewicz v Jedrzejczyk
KK hasn’t quit yet. She’s not going away. But her offense comes in bursts, more scattershot than sniper.
Here’s Karolina now! A big shot puts JJ on her heels. That was a major moment and KK is pouring it on. JJ looks to tie up and keep things close. The best sequence of the fight for KK by far.
The challenger turned it up in Round 4, which she wins and lifts the crowd. A hard right hand scored flush on JJ’s nose. She has swelling around her left eye. KK still needs a finish, but she’s in it for the last five minutes.
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Round three: Kowalkiewicz v Jedrzejczyk
Through the first minute, more of the same. Karolina is trying to press the champion but JJ’s footwork is wonderful. Things are beginning to look bleak for KK.
Oh, a great combination from JJ that results in three punches and an elbow scoring.
It’s a pleasure to watch Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Beyond her technical proficiency, she’s smartly aggressive. Through three rounds, 30-27 Joanna.
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Round two: Kowalkiewicz v Jedrzejczyk
Karolina is intent on making this a grinder. She’s not a crisp as the champion and needs to close the distance.
The problem with closing distance against a technically superior opponent: counters. JJ’s movement and timing are paying dividends.
Jedrzejczyk is opening up a lead here. Her output is superior. So KK presses forward with a takedown attempt. No luck. They’re back at distance in the center of the Octagon. One of the best things JJ does is throw and land to finish skirmishes.
10-9 for the champion, who closes the second with a spinning backfist. It’ll be imperative for Karolina to find a new way. The champion’s nose is bloodied, but she’s breathing easy.
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Round one: Karolina Kowalkiewicz v Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Joanna Champion comes out quick. She looks sharp off the opening bell. Last time JJ needed a comeback over Claudia Gadelha. Seems she wants to get ahead early here. KK, meanwhile, is switching stances, looking to mix it up.
Beautiful combination by JJ. Pretty three punch sequence finished with a low kick. These are two Muay Thai fighters going at it, and of course JJ is a seven time world champion.
KK lands a left hand and pushed forward into the clinch. The challenger pressed Joanna into the fence. They’re trading positions and KK lands an elbow as they disengage to the center of the cage.
Strong clinch work in the final moments of Round 1. Competitive opening period belongs to the champion, 10-9 Jedrzejczyk.
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Time for the first of three championship fights at UFC 205. It’s the women at 115lbs. Polish challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz (KK) faces Polish champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk (JJ).
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Quite a contrast at the end of the Weidman-Romero fight. Chris Weidman, the local favorite of the New York crowd, is lying on the canvas as blood pours from his forehead. Meanwhile Yoel Romero, who goes by “Soldier of God”, leaps out of the cage and marches exaggeratedly outside the ring – and then stomps back into the octagon to give a dramatic salute while Weidman slowly sits up beside a crimson pool on the canvas.
The crowd politely cheers Romero and laughs along as he jousts with Michael Bisping, who gives him the middle finger from a remote location shown on the big screen. But there seems disappointment in the arena that Weidman has lost his second straight fight after starting 13-0.
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With Bisping watching from his position in the announcers’ booth in the MSG rafters, Romero ominously called him out as the Brit watched and flashed him two middle fingers. “You say something like this for me?” Romero responded. “I love you. See you soon, boy.”
Yoel Romero defeats Chris Weidman
Michael Bisping has his next challenger. Yoel Romero crushed Chris Weidman with a jumping knee 24 seconds into the third round of what had been a tightly contested bout. Weidman was looking for single-leg takedowns over the first two rounds, and while he was close he never could finish. His last attempt led to his downfall, as Romero leapt to meet him and smashed a knee into the former UFC middleweight champion’s forehead. A rush of blood hit the canvas, and referee Mario Yamasaki called an end to the contest.
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Yoel Romero and Chris Weidman are about to throw down. This is a tremendous middleweight contest that according to UFC president Dana White will establish the next No 1 contender for champion Michael Bisping. Physical, technical beasts both.
The 30-year-old Tate said the loss to Pennington played a role in her decision to retire. “I had a lot more to give, but I couldn’t pull it out of myself.
“It’s not my time any more. It’s the future’s time.”
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Miesha Tate announces retirement after Pennington loss
Raquel Pennington scored her fourth consecutive victory in the Octagon over a reeling Miesha Tate, handling the former UFC bantamweight champion to take a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
The poor result prompted Tate to announce her retirement in the cage, a surprise considering she last stepped into the cage in the main event of UFC 200 with the belt around her waist. Following a lopsided first round stoppage to Amanda Nunes, Tate was matched with Pennington, who was excellent on Saturday as she scored with jabs, threatened with submissions, and ground down a grinder over the course of the the 15 minute contest.
Tate, 30, was considered the top contender among women at 135 pounds coming off her title-losing effort, and leaves mixed martial arts with an 18-7 record.
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Jaw-dropping note from the prelim headliner Frankie Edgar. The former lightweight champion and all-around tough guy said this: “I actually tore my MCL and had to get an epidural in my back, but nothing was going to stop me from fighting in New York City.”
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Les Carpenter is at the Garden. He writes:
The UFC is clearly thrilled to be in New York and in Madison Square Garden. All night they have celebrated the fact with with mentions of New York City and even New York songs. Fans have responded by mostly filling the seats by the end of the preliminary fights. It hasn’t been an overly loud or raucous crowd so far but that might have something to do with the cost of tickets, which have been reportedly going for as much as $25,000 on the secondary market. This is not the boisterous Irish crowds seen at some of Conor McGregor’s Las Vegas fights before this year.
There are definitely a lot of McGregor fans in the stands but the crowd was fully behind New Jersey’s Frankie Edgar as he defeated Jeremy Stephens. The arena filled with “Lets Go Frankie” chants. But it’s early and it seems people are waiting for the biggest fight in the UFC’s biggest card ever.
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Hello and welcome
If the main card for UFC 205 lives up to the preliminary action, buckle up. It’s already been a wild ride at Madison Square Garden, where the UFC makes its long-awaited return to New York after being banned by the state legislature in 1997.
Headlined by “The Notorious” Conor McGregor’s attempt to make UFC history against lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez, UFC 205 is the first UFC event in 15 years to feature three championship bouts. McGregor, the featherweight titleholder, is vying to become the first UFC fighter to hold two belts at the same time. Alvarez, who won the title in July, has been dismissive of the Irishman’s chances. He’s hardly the first mixed martial artists to discount McGregor. Surely, he’s not intending to be the next one to look foolish.
Joined by competitive title bouts at 170 pounds (Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson) and 115 pounds (Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz), UFC 205 has all the makings of a memorable night for mixed martial arts.
Standout performers thus far include lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov (who mauled Michael Johnson to score a third round submission finish) and Frankie Edgar (a top notch effort against the dangerous Jeremy Stephens en route to a decision win).
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Josh will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s a preview of tonight’s fight:
The UFC last held an event in the state on 8 September 1995, in Buffalo, which marked the heralding of the modern day mixed martial artist. Marco Ruas’s influence in MMA would be felt for many years to come, and it was at UFC 7 when observers like early UFC executive Campbell McLaren first witnessed the effective beauty of a fighter combining various martial arts disciplines in a seamless way.
“It was the first time we saw anyone use three different things,” McLaren said.
Two decades later, MMA watchers take this for granted. All fighters are supposed to know all things, to varying degrees, obviously, but the formula was patented long ago. Fans attending UFC 205 at MSG will yield the highest gate in the organization’s history, already surpassing the previous record for an event at Madison Square Garden at $13.5m. They’ll walk through the doors expecting the best that MMA can offer, and on paper at least they should get it.
The evening’s main event pits McGregor, the sport’s biggest attraction, against one of its toughest competitors, Philadelphia’s Eddie Alvarez, in a contest for the lightweight title. The historical implication has been played up as particularly meaningful, and if McGregor manages to wrest control of the belt he will be the first fighter in the history of the UFC to hold two titles simultaneously.
Considering he’s yet to defend the belt he currently possesses at 145lbs, the concept seems more to do with McGregor’s ego than any measure of his true greatness. Still, it would be an unparalleled event and McGregor, the 28-year-old Irish star who has taken combat sports by storm in recent years, has been unrelenting in his pursuit of the chance.
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