Irish fans of the UFC in New York will finally get to see what all the fuss is about on November 12, when the first ever UFC show will take place in the state starring its hottest draw, Dublin native Conor McGregor.
McGregor will get his wish of both headlining New York’s first UFC show after the state government lifted the ban earlier this year, and fighting his chosen opponent, Eddie Alvarez, the current UFC lightweight title holder.
UFC boss Dana White announced on Monday that McGregor, the UFC featherweight champion, will not relinquish that title against Alvarez, whose title will be up for grabs. If McGregor wins, it will be the first time a UFC fighter would hold two belts at the same time.
McGregor was adamant that he wanted to face Alvarez instead of defending his featherweight belt against Jose Aldo, and White granted his wish.
Prices for UFC 205, which is poised to set records, go on sale on September 30, and are priced from $100 to $1,250.
“Factor in Madison Square Garden’s 20,000-plus seat capacity, and it’s very likely that the promotion’s longstanding gate record — approximately $12 million for UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields at the Rogers Centre in Toronto — will be overtaken,” Forbes reported on Tuesday.
McGregor’s last fight against Nate Diaz in Las Vegas broke pay per view records, and firmly established McGregor as the UFC’s biggest star.
A press conference took place at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday evening to promote the fight.
McGregor has a huge Irish following that regularly attends his fights in Las Vegas, and Madison Square Garden is expected to be packed to the rafters with Tricolors.
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