Conor McGregor living off perception, says UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 08/07/16 9:40am
Eddie Alvarez has accused Conor McGregor of dodging the very best fighters in the UFC and believes the Irishman is "living off perception".
Alvarez (28-4) was crowned the new UFC lightweight champion on Thursday night after claiming a blistering first round stoppage of Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night 90.
McGregor's brash public persona, coupled with a list of dramatic knockout victories, has turned him into one of the UFC's biggest stars in a remarkably short time.
But Alvarez believes McGregor's promotional skills far outstrip his ability inside the Octagon and wasted no time in calling him out following victory over Dos Anjos.
"Look, there's a lot of guys in the UFC who are good at one thing, and they get matched up stylistically well," Alvarez said.
"They make their way to the top without ever going against the true best guys in the division. They sneak their way around them, and they live off perception, not what really is. (McGregor) is one of them.
"I think he can get found out. If he was ever to fight Rafael dos Anjos or to fight myself, he'd get found out very quickly."
Former featherweight champion McGregor (19-3) is currently preparing for his rematch with Nate Diaz at UFC 202 in Las Vegas on August 20.
McGregor won the featherweight belt in December with an opening-minute knockout of then-champion Jose Aldo, his fifth straight stoppage victory against increasingly impressive opposition, before moving up to face Diaz at welterweight.
Alvarez added: "I would ask (UFC President) Dana White, 'Please give me an easier fight like Conor McGregor'.
"I deserve that. I've been fighting the best guys, so I would like a gimme fight. So, Conor, I'd more than welcome that."
