Ryan Stetson
November 10, 2016

UFC 205 Bettors don’t like Conor McGregor’s Odds vs. Alvarez

Has Mystic Mac’s magic act finally run its course? Have UFC bettors had enough of the Notorious Conor McGregor ahead of his UFC 205 main event bout with lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez?

Anything is possible in the world of MMA – just ask McGregor himself.

With McGregor trying to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold championship belts in two different divisions, early UFC 205 odds had him set as a -175 favourite to do just that against Alvarez. However, since then the betting public has put its money behind the underdog.

UFC 205 Fight Card and Schedule

UFC 205 Main Card Odds and Predictions

UFC 205 Preliminary Card Odds and Predictions

UFC 205 Odds: Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor

Just days before the fight, Alvarez money more than doubles the action McGregor bettors have shelled out at Sports Interaction and now the Irishman has dropped to a -150 favourite. That line may shrink even further before the two combatants make the walk to the octagon on Saturday night.

ODDS UPDATE: Conor McGregor moves from -150 to -130 favourite.

Then again, could this be a case of bettors falling in love with the lure of another underdog payout? Many McGregor supporters were burned in his loss to Nate Diaz and his win in the rematch was a very close decision. Maybe that has McGregor supporter concerned. It should also be noted that over the past year, numerous big fan favourites have fallen – Ronda Rousey, Jose Aldo, Luke Rockhold and Robbie Lawler to name a handful – so it’s possible bettors are simply riding this MMA betting trend.

Alvarez, for his part, is definitely a game fighter. He has solid wins over a who’s-who in the MMA world and many feel his wrestling and grinding style could be the worst possible matchup for McGregor.

Then again, McGregor’s volume of work is nothing to scoff at either. Just the fact that he won a fight at 170 pounds is a major accomplishment in itself and he’ll definitely have a size and reach advantage over Alvarez on Saturday.

The question is whether McGregor has the stamina, wrestling skills and heart to get past an opponent like Alvarez, who has significant power of his own, plus the wrestling to turn this into a long night on the mat and against the cage.

UFC 205 Alvarez vs. McGregor Prediction

More than 80 percent of early action is on this fight being over in less than 1.5 rounds and while both fighters have the power to turn off the lights, bettors may be selling these fighters’ stamina short. McGregor went five rounds with Diaz and Alvarez has gone the distance a number of times as well. They both know the dangers of the other’s power, so this one might not be over as quick as you might think.

McGregor’s reach should cause problems for Alvarez and help the Irishman stuff takedowns. He has also proven he can take a heavy shot and has the mobility to stay out of trouble. That’s why your best bet is to take McGregor to come out of the cage with two belts, winning by either a stoppage after the second round or a decision.