Eddie Alvarez on Conor McGregor Fight: I’m Going to Land a Big Shot, and Then I’m Going to Submit Him

UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez is now just days away from the first defense of his title. This defense, which will occur in the main event of Saturday night’s UFC 205, will see him attempt to thwart featherweight champ Conor McGregor‘s attempt to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold to belts at once.

As this massive bout draws ever closer, Alvarez is fulfilling the last of his media obligations. One of these obligations was the media workout that traditionally occurs in the lead-up to a card of this scale. After this workout, which occured on the home hardwood of The New York Knicks, Alvarez took a moment to address the media and fans in attendance. During this interaction with the crowd, he offered up a prediction as to the outcome of his looming bout with McGregor.

“I think I’m going to land that big shot,” the lightweight champ said inside Madison Square Garden (via MMAFighting.com). “I think this guy’s worried about a lot of grappling and a lot of wrestling. I think where it’s going to end up, when his mind’s on that, I’m going to land that big shot and then I’m going to submit him.”

Whatever happens on Saturday night, however, Alvarez told those in attendance that he was honored to be a part of UFC 205, and that he is appreciative of the fans, regardless of whether or not they support him.

“Hey, I’m blessed,” he said. “Whether you’ve got a red, white and orange flag, it don’t matter what you got. You’re here and I appreciate you guys.”

“Magic, pure magic,” he said of his experience being a part of the landmark UFC 205 bill. “Look, I fought 13 years to put myself on this stage, in front of the biggest crowd, and I am super-excited to go out there and do something violent, and do something high-paced.”

We last saw Alvarez in action in June, when he scored a blitzkrieg win over Rafael Dos Anjos to win the UFC lightweight crown. McGregor, meanwhile, will enter their bout having recently earned a score-evening unanimous decision over rival Nate Diaz.

How do you see this massive lightweight title fight going? Sound off, PENN Nation!