Conor McGregor becomes UFC’s first two-weight champ with TKO of Eddie Alvarez

Conor McGregor has done it. He defeated Eddie Alvarez by TKO in the second round at UFC 205 on Saturday.

Mike Dyce | Nov 13, 2016

Conor McGregor becomes UFC’s first two-weight champ with TKO of Eddie Alvarez /

Conor McGregor has done it. He defeated Eddie Alvarez by TKO in the second round at UFC 205 on Saturday.

The UFC pulled out all the options at their disposal to make their debut at Madison Square Garden, in what will be remembered as the biggest event in the company's history. A historic card headlined by three title fights was capped off with a super fight between the featherweight champion McGregor and the lightweight champion Alvarez. The Irishman was moving up a weight class to chase history.

And McGregor did just that, cementing his place in fighting lore in a venue filled with iconic moments. When people talk about combat sports at Madison Square Garden, they'll remember Rocky Marciano vs. Joe Louis, Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali and McGregor defeating Alvarez to be the first UFC champion in two weight classes.

• Live Blog: All the action and analysis from UFC 205

McGregor came into the UFC as a two-weight champion in the CWFC in 2013 and made it clear he was looking to become the first in the world's biggest MMA promotion on the planet to do the same. Randy Couture and B.J. Penn each won titles in two different weight classes, but neither fighter held two belts simultaneously.

Alvarez was making his first lightweight title defense and McGregor made his UFC debut in the weight class, having fought mostly at featherweight with the exception of two fights against Nate Diaz at welterweight. McGregor was originally slated to fight then-lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos before an injury canceled the bout, sending McGregor on a two-fight detour with Diaz. McGregor has routinely credited those Diaz bouts with helping him expand his abilities as a fighter, re-evaluating his training and preparation.

GALLERY: UFC 205 ACTION PHOTOS, CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS
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UFC 205 Photos

The Notorious

Conor McGregor defeated Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 Saturday night to become the first UFC fighter to hold two titles simultaneously.

McGregor vs. Alvarez

Conor McGregor

McGregor vs. Alvarez

UFC President Dana White holds back Eddie Alvarez and Conor McGregor as they square off during weigh-ins at Madison Square Garden.

Eddie Alvarez

Eddie Alvarez speaks with Fox Sports during weigh-ins at Madison Square Garden.

Conor McGregor

Eddie Alvarez

McGregor vs. Alvarez

Conor McGregor knocks out Eddie Alvarez to keep his title.

Fans of the UFC in NYC

McGregor vs. Alvarez

Fans of the UFC in NYC

McGregor vs. Alvarez

Famous Fans of UFC

Actor Hugh Jackman watches on from the front row.

Fans of the UFC in NYC

McGregor vs. Alvarez

Famous Fans of UFC

Madonna attends the UFC 205 event at Madison Square Garden.

McGregor vs. Alvarez

Fans of UFC at Madison Square Garden

Famous Fans of UFC

Actor Zac Efron watches during UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden.

McGregor vs. Alvarez

Bruce Buffer

McGregor vs. Alvarez

Victorious!

Conor McGregor defeats Eddie Alvarez.

UFC Fans in NYC

Famous Fans of UFC

New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. watches on at UFC 205.

Madison Square Garden

Woodley vs. Thompson

Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson. The fight would go on to end in a draw.

Woodley vs. Thompson

Woodley vs. Tompson

Stephen Thompson

Woodley vs. Thompson

Tyron Woodley (left) fights against Stephen Thompson in their welterweight championship bout.

Woodley vs. Thompson

Tyron Woodley of the United States (left) knocks down Stephen Thompson while defending his welterweight belt at UFC 205 in New York City.

Madison Square Garden

Home of the UFC 205 on Saturday November 12, 2016.

Edgar vs. Stephens

Frankie Edgar faces Jeremy Stephens at weigh-ins in Madison Square Garden.

Jeremy Stephens

Frankie Edgar

Edgar vs. Stephens

Frankie Edgar

Edgar vs. Stephens

Frankie Edgar fights against Jeremy Stephens in their featherweight bout at UFC 205 in New York City.

Liz Carmouche

Liz Carmouche weighs in before her fight against Katlyn Chookagian

Katyln Chookagian

Carmouche vs. Chookagian

Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Liz Carmouche (right) fights against Katlyn Chookagian in their bantamweight bout.

Carmouche vs. Chookagian

Tate vs. Pennington

Miesha Tate (left) fights against Raquel Pennington in their bantamweight bout.

Miesha Tate

UFC veteran Miesha Tate weighs in before her fight against Raquel Pennington. Soon after she lost to Pennington, Tate announced her retirement.

Raquel Pennington

Romero vs. Weidman

Weidman vs. Romero

Yoel Romero

Romero vs. Weidman

Yoel Romero of Cuba reacts after his KO victory over Chris Weidmanin their middleweight bout.

Weidman vs. Romero

Kowalkiewicz vs. Jedrzejczyk

Karolina Kowalkiewicz goes up against Joanna Jedrzejczyk, both of Poland, at weigh-ins before their fight at Madison Square Garden

Kowalkiewicz vs. Jedrzejczyk

Karolina Kowalkiewicz of Poland (left) fights against Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland in their strawweight championship bout.

Karolina Kowalkiewicz

Joanna Jedrzejczyk

Luque vs. Muhammad

Vicente Luque of Brazil celebrates his win by TKO over Belal Muhammad.

Alves vs. Miller

Thiago Alves of Brazil (right) fights against Jim Miller at UFC 205.

Miller vs. Alves

Jim Miller vs Thiago Alves

Famous Fans of UFC

Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold and musician Demi Lavato at UFC 205.

UFC Fans in NYC

Madison Square Garden

UFC Fans in NYC

Ronda Rousey vs. Amanda Nunes

Ronda Rousey squares off against Amanda Nunes at weigh-ins. Rousey and Nunes will fight on December 30th 2016 for UFC 207 in Las Vegas.

Conor McGregor

Now that McGregor has two belts, fans and UFC fighters in two-weight classes are waiting to see what the future holds. Will he vacate the featherweight belt and focus on defending the lightweight strap, will he try to hold onto them both? Time will tell.

Published Nov 13, 2016

MIKE DYCE