Eddie Alvarez Brings Intrigue To UFC 205 Fight Vs. Conor McGregor

The talking is almost over. Eddie Alvarez knows it and is almost embracing it, which isn’t a surprise, as the UFC lightweight champion has always been all about the fight.

On Saturday, the Philadelphia native will defend his title for the first time against Conor McGregor at Madison Square Garden, but first there are the media obligations, which began Wednesday on the floor of “The World’s Most Famous Arena” with open workouts.

Alvarez skipped rope, worked with coach Mark Henry briefly, and after a couple questions from the UFC’s Megan Olivi, it was off to the next stop. For the 32-year-old champion, this is the price to pay before he gets what he wants on Saturday night.

For Henry, who has Alvarez, Frankie Edgar, Katlyn Chookagian and Chris Weidman on Saturday’s historic UFC 205 card, Saturday night will also be a culmination of sorts, as the notoriously tireless worker will finally be able to look forward to some sleep come Sunday.

Maybe. But that’s never stopped Henry, who has a reputation for all-night tape sessions that result in texts to his fighters at all hours. But his reasoning is simple.

“They’re great people,” Henry said. “Awesome individuals, awesome families. You get to know their families and their kids, and you don’t want to sleep. For me now, it’s not about the Garden. We were at UFC 200, and it’s all about just winning and losing. So MSG comes a far second when I think about their families, their kids, their wives, and that’s just my mindset.”