Conor McGregor has been given a second opportunity to become a two-weight UFC Champion.
The Dubliner will fight Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 for the UFC Lightweight Title. The news was confirmed overnight by UFC President Dana White.
McGregor's title fight with Alvarez will be the main event in Madison Square Garden, as the company puts on a fight card in New York City for the first time ever.
IT'S GOING DOWN!! 🇮🇪 @TheNotoriousMMA challenges 🇺🇸 @EAlvarezFight for the lightweight title @TheGarden!! #UFC205 is OFFICIALLY 🔥 🔥 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vRtyi34QEd
— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2016
Despite not defending the UFC Featherweight Title since winning it last December, the Dubliner will keep the belt, as he looks to become the first man to hold two separate UFC belts at the same time.
The 28-year-old was expected to fight the then UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos in March at UFC 196, but the Brazilian pulled out after breaking his foot. That cancellation led to McGregor's back-to-back fights with Nate Diaz.
It will be the first time McGregor has fought outside Las Vegas in almost two years. His last fight on the American east coast came in January 2015, with a second round stoppage of Dennis Siver.
Alvarez has a 28-4 record as a professional fighter. After defeating dos Anjos for the title in July, his first defence will be against the Dubliner.
